The cheapest destinations for a long-haul city break
Cheap long-haul city breaks
City breaks are a brilliant way to spend a long weekend, and people are now travelling further afield to get their cultural fix. In response to the trend, the Post Office analysed the most popular cities for British travellers that are at least six hours away and found the cheapest based on the cost of 11 common holiday purchases, such as meals, airport transfers and four-star accommodation (but not flights). Here are the top 10.
10. Boston: £823
The most expensive city surveyed, the cost of taking a long-haul trip to Boston is hiked up by the price of accommodation. The average price for three nights in a four-star hotel in Boston stands at £688. Tourist attractions aren't particularly cheap either – the average price for the top tourist attractions stands at £21.74.
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9. New York: £711
Excluding the cost of accommodation, New York is the priciest city for tourists. While tourism is expensive (£56 for tickets to the main attractions), transport is the one area more likely to break the bank; a return bus or train transfer from the airport to the city will set you back around £26.60.
8. Toronto: £612
The second most expensive city for eating out, a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine will cost an average £97.68 in Toronto. Accommodation is also among some of the most expensive, with the average price for three nights coming in at £438.
7. Washington DC: £504
The cheapest of the four cities surveyed in North America, the US capital will set Brits back £504. Compared to other areas of the US, the city boasts well-priced accommodation – £382 for three nights – and fantastic sightseeing options that don’t break the bank. Unlike NYC, Washington DC offers free museums, such as the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute.
6. Singapore: £409
The most expensive city to dine out, one meal in Singapore costs the same as three meals in some other cities. One three-course meal with a bottle of wine for two will set you back an average of £101.20. However, a return transfer from the airport costs just £2.86.
5. Cape Town: £395
Cape Town isn’t necessarily the cheapest city to visit for accommodation, with a weekend for two adults costing around £310, but the cost of eating out will certainly make up for it. The average three-course meal for two costs just £40.11. It’s worth going for the food alone.
4. Dubai: £361
Dubbed one of the flashiest countries in the world, Dubai isn’t known as a cheap break. However, you’d be surprised at the cost of a long-haul weekend. One of the closest long-haul destinations, Dubai takes seven hours to fly to and boasts prices of up to half of those in Boston.
3. Beijing: £337
The Chinese capital is also excellent value for money. A weekend away for British travellers is expected to cost just £337. Accommodation will set you back just £209 for three nights in a four-star hotel.
2. Tokyo: £331
Japan might be known as one of the pricier destinations for Brits, but the capital is growing increasingly more affordable for UK travellers. In fact, the food in Tokyo was found to be the cheapest across all cities. A three-course evening meal will set you back an average £34. This means that the price of three meals in Japan will cost around the same as just one meal in Singapore (£101.20).
1. Bangkok: £317
In Thailand’s booming capital, the total cost for British holidaymakers is just £317. The result is largely because accommodation in Bangkok is among some of the cheapest in the world. While Tokyo is cheaper in all other areas, a three-night stay in a four-star hotel in Bangkok will set you back £100 less than in Tokyo.