Friday, June 19, 2015

Hanoi, Warsaw and a resort you've probably never heard of in Egypt: The 10 best value destinations for Aussie travellers ... as Sydney is rated one of the most expensive

  • Hanoi in Vietnam ranked as the best value holiday destination for Australian travellers
  • An average three-day visit costs just $923 without air fares
  • Warsaw in Poland is the next best value for a short break
  • Sydney is considered among the most expensive at $1873 for a break
  • Cancun, Zurich and New York are rated as the least affordable 
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    Hanoi in Vietnam is now considered the best value destination in the world for a short break for Australian travellers, at the same time as Sydney ranks among the most expensive.

    The list of top 10 most affordable places sprung some surprises, with Poland and Egypt featuring at the top of a study by travel review website TripAdvisor.

    The rankings are based on a three-night break for two people (through June to August), including the cost of a four-star hotel, a visit to three attractions, lunch on each day, a 3.5 kilometre taxi to and from dinner plus the cost of dinner itself.

    The 2015 TripIndex Cities report placed Sydney just outside the top ten most expensive destinations (at 11th) after the likes of Cancun, Zurich, New York and London. The total cost of a three-night break in Sydney came to $1873.74. 

    1. Hanoi, Vietnam  $923

    Hanoi tops the list of the best value place in the world for Australians to visit

    The street food scene is considered one of the main attractions in Vietnam

    At just $923 for a three-night stay, Hanoi in Vietnam tops the rankings of best value holidays for Aussies

    CHEAPEST GLOBAL DESTINATIONS FOR AUSTRALIANS (Australian $) Destination                             3.5km Taxi Trip                      Hotel Rate (per night)                            Three Day Stay   1. Hanoi (Vietnam)                          5.17                                    110.00                                                           923.37   2. Warsaw (Poland)                        25.23                                  110.24                                                           932.40    3. Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt)           7.32                                     128.36                                                          1034.46        4. Bangkok (Thailand)                   13.10                                   119.50                                                          1037.10  5. Mumbai (India)                         � �  6.26                                     152.38                                                          1067.25  6. Lisbon (Portugal)                        31.94                                   163.57                                                          1143.45  7. Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)          8.22                                     116.83                                                          1153.08  8. Marrakech (Morocco)                 5.05                                     130.68                                                          1161.03   9. Manila (Philippines)                   14.56                                   176.79                                                       � �  1166.64  10. Berlin (Germany)                      31.24                                   148.66                                                          1173.81  *Ratings provided by TripAdvisor's TripIndex 2015 (all prices are in Australian Dollars) 

    The review of 40 'key cities' found that a three-night trip for two in Hanoi will only set you back an average of $923.37 (excluding flights) which is nearly three times less than the price of a break in the world's most expensive destination, Cancun, Mexico, which comes in at an average of $2,546.31.

    TripAdvisor says: 'The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside.'

    'Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of t his city, which is easily explored by taxi.'

    2. Warsaw, Poland $932

    Poland's sprawling capital Warsaw comes in second on the list of value holidays

    Warsaw was almost destroyed during WWII but is considered great value for Australians looking for a cheaper European holiday

    Warsaw came in at a surprising second place, just a few dollars more than Hanoi, at $932.40.

    The authors say: 'Palaces and parkland abound in the Polish capital. Public transport - buses, metro, trams and trolley buses - make it accessible.'

    'Visit the Royal Castle and the Gothic, cobbled alleys and baroque palaces of the Old Town - destroyed by German troops but now masterfully reconstructed.'

    3. Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt $1034

    For most Australian trav ellers Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt is a relatively unknown resort but TripAdvisor ranks it third in the best value

    A three-day stay in Sharm el Sheikh costs on average $1034 for two people

    You may never have heard of it but Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt is considered a great and affordable beach destination at $1034 for a three-day stop, even cheaper than Thailand.

    'The Red Sea's warm water is great for swimming, and there are miles of great beaches in Sharm El Sheikh for working on your tan.

    'It's easier to get there if you live in Europe, but even if you're farther afield, it's worth the trek.'

    Admittedly, the authors say, the list was compiled before political unrest prompted many countries to issue travel warnings for Egypt.

    4. Bangkok, Thailand $1037 

    Thailand's capital is a popular destination for Australians, with more than 600,000 visits each year

    Bangkok ranks 4th in the best value rankings at $1037

    More than 600,000 trips are made to Thailand by Australians each year and Bangkok is ranked well inside the top 10 for value.

    'It is full of exquisitely decorated Buddhist temples,' the site states.

    'If you'd rather seek enlightenment in a gourmet meal, or dance the night away, the restaurant and nightclub scenes are among the best in the world.'

    When undertaking the study, the 2015 TripIndex Cities report showed that travellers can find the best value predominantly in South East Asia, as four of the top ten cheapest destinations are located there; Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila.

    5. Mumbai, India $1067

    Once known as Bombay, Mumbai comes in at fifth for best value short holiday

    Some of the cuisine awaiting Aussie travellers to Mumbai. An average three-day stay comes in at $1067

    The average nightly rate in Mumbai, India is $156

    Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, 'is famous for its chaotic streets, for bargains and people-watching' according to TripAdvisor.

    Mumbai ranks fifth for affordability for Aussie customers, at $1067.25 for a three-day stay.

    'Outdoor bazaars top the list of attractions and popular waterfront destinations are Marine Drive, where visitors go to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea, and the carnival-like Juhu Beach.'

    6. Lisbon, Portugal $1143.45

    Portugal's capital is a mix of cafe culture, music and centuries o ld architecture

    Lisbon comes in at $1143 for three nights, second only to Warsaw in Europe for value for money to Australian travellers

    Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is the next best European destination when it comes to value for money.

    'An increasingly popular place to visit in recent years, with a warm Mediterranean climate in spite of its place facing the Atlantic Ocean,' the TripAdvisor report states.

    'Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture makes it the perfect place for a family holiday.'

    Like most places in Europe, taxi travel comes at a cost, a round trip of about 3.5 kilometres comes to almost $32. 

    7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia $1153  

    The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur are considered a must-see attra ction for visitors to Malaysia

    The Batu Caves in KL. The Malaysian capital comes in 7th for best value to Australian travellers

    Kuala Lumpur makes the top 10 at $1153, with hotel rates even cheaper than Bangkok at $116 per night.

    'The famous Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest building in the world, provides a bird's-eye view of the cosmopolitan metropolis and houses a multitude of shops and art galleries,' according to TripAdvisor.

    8. Marrakech, Morocco $1161 

    The Moroccan city of Marrakech is widely recognised for its bustling bazaars 

    Marrakech ranks 8th for cheapest destinations at $1161

    Marrakech in Morocco comes in at position eight, with an average spend of $1161 for three days for Australian travellers.

    'Your local farmers' or flea market may be a fun place to spend a Saturday morning, but it's got nothing on Marrakech's markets, spend a day here to immerse yourself in the spectacle,' according to TripAdvisor.

    Morocco, however, is another country which has a departmental warning against it to 'exercise a high degree of caution'. 

    9. Manila, Philippines 

    Manila, where an average dinner will set you back $38, the lowest amount in the top 10 best value destinations

    Manila in the Philippines comes in 9th according to TripAdvisor, at a cost of $1166 for a three-day visit

    'Metropolitan Manila encompasses six cities and 12 towns, the capital of the Philippines is historic and modern, rich and poor,' according to TripAdvisor.

    For a three-night stay it will cost two people $1166.

    'A popular sight is the Intramuros, a walled area that was the capital during Spanish rule.' 

    The city is filled with museums and is renowned for its nightlife.

    10. Berlin, Germany 

    Berlin, Germany is both popular and still seen as a value proposition by TripAdvisor at a cost of $1173 for three days

    Berlin is just one of three European destinations to be considered good value for Australian visitors, the others are Warsaw and Lisbon

    Rounding out the top ten of most affordable travel destinations, is a favourite for many travellers - Berlin.

    It comes in at $1173 for a short break.

    'The old buildings of Mitte gracefully coexist with the modern Reichstag,' states the travel website. 

    'Don't miss t op historic sights like the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz.'

    You'll need top dollar to spend three days in Cancun, Mexico. It is the most expensive place to travel for Australians, costing $2546 for a three day stay according to TripAdvisor

    The 2015 TripIndex Cities report also ranked the least affordable.

    It placed Sydney just outside the top ten most expensive destinations, at eleventh.

    The cost of a three-night break for two people during June to August at a four-star hotel in Cancun, Mexico costs on average $2546.

    That makes it the number one stop in the world's most expensive destination, followed by Zurich ($2453) and New York ($2407).

    Then came London ($2368), Punta Cana in the Caribbean ($2276), Paris ($2037), Tokyo ($2006), Toronto ($1 948), Dubai ($1921) and Singapore ($1901).

    Sydney will cost you about $1873.

     


    Source: Hanoi, Warsaw and a resort you've probably never heard of in Egypt: The 10 best value destinations for Aussie travellers ... as Sydney is rated one of the most expensive

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