Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now. In the face of the dollar's declining value worldwide against foreign currencies, there can be a bit of a sticker shock while traveling. To demonstrate where you can get the most bang for your buck, this monthly index compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe. Conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
Beijing, China (Source: China National Tourist Office; www.cnto.org)
- Movie ticket: $2.50-$5
- Bus/subway fare: 12¢-37¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.87-$2.50
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Yanjing, 25¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $18.75-$37.52
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $6.25
- $1= 7.99 Chinese Yuan
Cleveland, Ohio (Source: Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland; www.travelcleveland.com)
- Movie ticket: $8
- Bus/subway fare: $1.50
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.50
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Great Lakes Brewing Company Dortmunder Gold, $5
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $109-å$129
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $26.97
- $1=$1
Denver, Colorado (Source: Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.denver.org)
- Movie ticket: $8
- Light rail fare: $1.25
- Cup of regular coffee: 50¢-$1
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Wynkoop Brewing Company, Railyard Ale: $3
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $92-$126
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $24-$31
- $1=$1
Douglas, Isle of Man (Source: Department of Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man; www.gov.im/tourism)
- Movie ticket: $10.09
- Bus fare: $1.10-$4.03
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.46
- Pint of local beer in a bar: O'Kell's, $3.85
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $64.26-$100.95
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $23.84-$27.53
- $1=£ .54
Edmonton, Alberta (Source: Edmonton Tourism; www.edmonton.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.01
- Bus/subway fare: $2.02
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.35
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Big Rock, $5.18
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $83.82-$120.78
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $28.39
- $1=$1.10 CAD
Warsaw, Poland (Source: Poland National Tourist Office; www.polandtour.org)
- Movie ticket: $5.36-$6.93
- Bus/subway fare: 75¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 63¢-$1.89
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Okocim, $1.26
- Moderate three-star hotel room for two: $69.36-$116.65
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $9.45-$15.76
- $1=4.17 Poland Zlotych
Lima, Peru (Source: Peru Tourism Promotion; www.peru.info)
- Movie ticket: $3.07-$4.60
- Bus fare: 30¢-36¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 92¢-$2.45
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Chopp, $1.99
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $80-$120
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $30
- $1=3.25 Peru Nuevos Soles
San Salvador, El Salvador (Source: El Salvador Ministry of Tourism; www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv)
- Movie ticket: $2.75-$3.75
- Bus fare: 20¢-30¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Pilsener, $1.25
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $90-$100
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $13-$15
- $1=$1
Manzini, Swaziland (Source: Swaziland Tourism Authority; www.welcometoswaziland.com)
- Movie ticket: $2.77-$4.16
- Bus fare: 27¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 69¢-$1.38
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Hansa, $1.11
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $83.27
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one: $13.19-$20.82
- $1=7.20 Swaziland Lilangeni
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