In light of fluctuating world currencies and air travel cutbacks, traveling can be less fun than we'd like it to be -- and less predictable when it comes to your expenses. Budget wisely by using this monthly index, which compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe to demonstrate where you can get the best travel exchange rate. Conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
(Source: Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board; www.iamsterdam.com)- Daily newspaper: $1.70
- Bus/subway/tram fare: $3.40
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.35
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Grolsch, $2.94
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $157
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $40
- $1 = €.76
Kobe, Japan (Source: Japan National Tourism Organization; www.japantravelinfo.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.54
- Bus/subway fare: $1.42-$5.35
- Cup of regular coffee: $2,97
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Rokko, $5.94
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $104.56
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $32.07
- $1 = ¥84.17
Negril, Jamaica (Source: Jamaica National Tourism Board; www.visitjamaica.com)
- Daily newspaper: 50¢
- Taxi: $2
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.50
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Red Stripe, $1-$2
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $106
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $26
- $1 = 85.40 Jamaica dollars
New York City, New York (Source: NYC & Company; www.nycgo.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.25-$2
- Bus/subway fare: $2.25
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.25
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Brooklyn Brown Ale, $5-$6
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $289
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $30-$50
Pierre, South Dakota (Source: South Dakota Department of Tourism; www.state.sd.us)
- Daily newspaper: $1.25
- Bus fare: $4
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Fat Tire, $2.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $125
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $29
Pokhara, Nepal (Source: Nepal Tourism Board; www.welcomenepal.com)
- Daily newspaper: 7¢
- Bus fare/Taxi fare: 21¢-28¢/42¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 71¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Everest, $2.56
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $42.66
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $9.95-$14.22
- $1 = 70.31 Nepal Rupees
Quebec City, Quebec
(Source: Quebec City Tourism; www.quebecregion.ca)
- Daily newspaper: 78¢
- Bus fare: $2.55
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.21
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Molson Dry, $4.91
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $122-$162
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $38.30
- $1 = C$1.04
Zagreb, Croatia (Source: Croatia National Tourist Office; www.croatia.hr)
- Daily newspaper: $1.23
- Bus or tram fare: $1.76
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.41-$1.76
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Zlatini Medvjed, $2.82
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $70.66
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $17.66-$26.50
- $1 = 5.66 Croatia Kuna
Zomba, Malawi
(Source: Malawi Travel Marketing Consortium; www.malawitourism.com)- Daily newspaper: 86¢
- Minibus fare: 66¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.45
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Kuche Kuche, 99¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $175
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $20.20
- $1 = 151 Malawi Kwachas
Don't see the city where you're headed to next? To see how far your dollar goes in more places around the world, see our travel currency exchange conversions in Auckland, Siem Reap, Provincetown, and more.