The best value long-haul holiday destinations

Sri Lanka tops study into which long-haul destinations represent the best value for money.

Sri Lanka is the best value long-haul holiday destination according to the latest research from the Post Office.

It topped the table for the third year running, even though prices there have risen 21% over the past year.

The research involves tracking the prices of a basket of 12 typical tourist items. These include a three-course meal for two with wine, postcard and stamp, bottle of water, suncream, cocktail, beer/lager, glass of wine, insect repellent and a paperback book.

The total cost of the 12 items in the south west region of Sri Lanka comes to just £43.85, almost £9 cheaper than its nearest rival, Hoi An in Vietnam. Other value destinations include Bali in Indonesia, Cancun in Mexico and Kololi in Gambia.

Below are the ten best value long-haul holiday destinations:

Destination	Three-course meal for two including bottle of wine	Suncream (200ml SPF 15)	Insect repellent (50ml)	Bottle of water (1.5l)	Total cost, including other basket items
Sri Lanka (south west)	£23.50	£3.39	£2.61	£0.47	£43.85
Vietnam (Hoi An)	£33.69	£1.38	£0.69	£0.62	£52.37
Indonesia (Bali)	£28.51	£3.31	£0.73	£0.54	£52.48
Mexico (Cancun)	£32.40	£4.32	£2.43	£0.54	£60.48
Gambia (Kololi)	£34.15	£4.59	£3.89	£0.59	£61.14
Thailand (Phuket)	£40.65	£5.65	£2.94	£0.32	£70.69
Egypt (Sharm el Sheikh)	£46.68	£4.08	£1.98	£0.23	£71.05
South Africa (Cape Town)	£33.10	£11.64	£2.49	£0.83	£71.73
USA (Washington DC)	£52.11	£3.75	£3.75	£1.48	£75.52
USA (Orlando)	£43.62	£5.37	£3.36	£1.01	£76.54

At the other end of the spectrum, Seoul in South Korea was identified as the most expensive long-haul destination. Here are the five holiday locations that came bottom of the Post Office’s survey:

Destination	Three-course meal for two including bottle of wine	Suncream (200ml SPF 15)	Insect repellent (50ml)	Bottle of water (1.5l)	Total cost, including other basket items
South Korea (Seoul)	£120.81	£6.71	£5.37	£1.34	£166.92
Australia (Darwin)	£104.86	£11.16	£4.37	£0.97	£157.79
New Zealand (Auckland)	£92.70	£9.16	£3.48	£0.56	£144.32
China (Beijing)	£81.54	£5.44	£1.63	£0.54	£131
Canada (Calgary)	£82.19	£8.22	£6.85	£0.68	£123.68

What do you think? Have you been to any of these destinations? Did they strike you as particularly cheap or expensive? What’s the best value long-haul holiday you’ve ever been on? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.

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