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.
More on travel
Compare travel insurance quotes
Ryanair charging £2.49 for booking app
Watch out for these hidden hotel costs
What does an EHIC really cover?
Things you shouldn’t bring home from a holiday