S’pore is Asia’s most expensive city for travellers: TripAdvisor

SINGAPORE: How much would two travellers have to pay for a night out in Singapore?

S$480 (US$374.94), according to TripAdvisor’s latest index.

The expenses covered a room for two at a four—star hotel, a round—trip taxi ride of about 3.2 kilometers each way, cocktails for two at a five—star hotel bar and dinner for two with a bottle of house wine.

This made Singapore the most expensive city in Asia, and the 10th most expensive city in the world for travellers.

The index covered 48 key tourist cities around the world.

Tokyo was Asia’s second most expensive city and the 13th most expensive city in the world, with travellers having to pay S$448 or US$349.62 for the same items.

London topped the list as the world’s most expensive city, with travellers having to fork out S$664 or US$518.01 for a night out for two.

Europe dominated the most expensive list with seven cities in the top 10.

Oslo took the second spot (US$499.91), followed by Zurich (US$485.82), Paris (US$480.76) and Stockholm (US$472.36).

New York city came in sixth at US$456.50.

Southeast Asia had the most number of cities in the 10 least expensive list.

According to the index, Hanoi in Vietnam was the most affordable city, with a cost of US$141.12 (S$181.04).

Beijing ranked second (US$159.05) with Bangkok at third spot (US$161.90); Kuala Lumpur was ranked fifth (US$194.43) and Jakarta took the eighth spot (US$204.59).

TripAdvisor said the cost of hotels was the most important factor in determining the least and most expensive cities.

The least expensive average hotel room went to Bangkok at US$81.13 (S$104.08) per night.

Room rates in London were more than quadruple the cost of those in Bangkok, coming in at US$361.64 ($463.95) per night.

— CNA/ck