The specific rates described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
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 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.
Belfast, Northern Ireland (Source: Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau; www.gotobelfast.com)
- Movie ticket: $9.84
- Bus fare: $2.55
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.94-$2.95
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Guinness, $5.21
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $137.78-$157.47
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $51.17
- $1=.50 £
Burlington, Vermont (Source: Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce; www.vermont.org)
- Movie ticket: $8
- Bus fare: 50¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Magic Hat, $2
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $75
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $15
Cairns, Australia (Source: Tourism Queensland; www.destinationqueensland.com)
- Movie ticket: $10.46
- Bus fare: $2.32
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.48
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: XXXX Gold, $2.40
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $69.76-$139.51
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $24.02-$37.97
- $1=$1.29 Australia dollar
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (Source: U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association; www.virgin-islands-hotels.com)
- Movie ticket: $6
- Bus fare: 75¢-$1
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.50
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Heineken, $3-$3.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $150
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $34.50
Hammamet, Tunisia (Source: Tunisian Tourism Office; www.tunisiaguide.com)
- Movie ticket: $2.29
- Bus/subway fare: 38¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 20¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Celtia, $1.90
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $84-$106
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $15.27
- $1=1.30 Tunisia Dinars
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Source: Big Island Visitors Bureau; www.bigisland.org)
- Movie ticket: $8.50
- Bus fare: $1
- Cup of regular coffee: $2
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Kona Brewing Company, $5
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $180-$220
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $22.40-$50.80
Rotterdam, Holland (Source: Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions; www.holland.com)
- Movie ticket: $11.06
- Bus/subway fare: $2.08-$3.12
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.60
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Grolsch, $2.41-$2.60
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $241
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $36.47-$52.10
- $1=.76€
Thunder Bay, Ontario (Source: City of Thunder Bay; www.thunderbay.ca)
- Movie ticket: $6.30
- Bus fare: $2.12
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.44
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Molson, $2.97
- Moderate-three-star hotel room for two: $63.79
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $29.77
- $1=C$1.17
Kaoshiung, Taiwan (Source: Taiwan Tourism Bureau; www.go2taiwan.net)
- Movie ticket: $6.36
- Bus fare: 46¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.10
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Taiwan Beer, $1.27
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $54.56
- Moderate, three-course dinner for one, without alcohol or tip: $13.40-$19.45
- $1=32.99 New Taiwan Dollars
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