In light of the struggling economy, 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. We've taken some of the guesswork out of the picture with 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.
Cairo, Egypt (Source: Egyptian Tourist Authority; www.egypt.travel)
- Weekly newspaper subscription: $6.75
- Bus/subway fare: 17¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 17¢
- Bottle of local/popular beer in a bar: Stella Artois, information not provided
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $30-40
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $17.31
- $1 = 5.77 Egypt Pounds
Iqaluit, Nunavut (Source: Nunavut Tourism; www.nunavuttourism.com)
- Weekly newspaper: 97¢
- Taxi fare: $5.83
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.79
- Bottle of popular beer in a bar: $5.85-$6.83
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $214-$252
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $24-$34
- $1 = C$1.02
Los Angeles, California (Source: Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau; www.lainc.us)
- Daily newspaper: 75¢-$1
- Bus/subway fare: $1.50
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.60
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Bonaventure Pale Ale, $4.75
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $200-$260
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25-$64
Marigot, St. Martin (Source: St. Martin Tourist Office; www.stmartinisland.org)
- Daily newspaper: $2.07
- Bus fare/rental car: $2; $25
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.50
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Carib, $2
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $150
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $28-$40
- $1 = €.72
Miami, Florida (Source: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; www.miamiandbeaches.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.25
- Bus/train fare: $2-$2.50
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.99
- Bottle of local/popular beer in a bar: Red Stripe, $2.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $159-$250
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $25-$30
Nanjing, China (Source: China National Tourist Office; www.cnto.org)
- Daily newspaper: 8¢-25¢
- Bus/subway fare: 4¢-44¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.19-$2.69
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Jinling, 44¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $22.42-$67.28
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $7.50-$15
- $1 = 6.68 Chinese Yuan Renminbi
Newcastle-Gateshead, England (Source: Visit Britian; www.visitbritain.org)
- Daily newspaper: 71¢-78¢
- Subway fare: $3.47
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.36
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Newcastle Brown Ale: $3.23-$5.20
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $134-$227
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one: $34.73
- $1 = £.63
Rarotonga, Cook Islands (Source: Tourism Cook Islands; www.cookislands.travel)
- Daily newspaper: $1.49
- Bus fare: $3.36
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.61
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Pure Blond, $4.85
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $74-$89
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $21-31
- $1 = NZ$1.33
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Source: BVK, www.bvk.com; Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry, www.godominicanrepublic.com)
- Daily newspaper: 13¢-40¢
- Public cars/subway fare: 32¢-40¢; 54¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 50¢-$1
- Bottle of local/popular beer in a bar: Presidente, $1.35
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $150-$300
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $8.14
- $1 = 36.95 Dominican Republic Pesos
Stavanger, Norway (Source: Visit Norway; www.regionstavanger.com)
- Daily newspaper: $3.39
- Bus fare: $4.24
- Cup of regular coffee: from $3.73
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Lervig, $10.70
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $144
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $21
- $1 = 5.89 Norway Kroner
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.
