Taiwan Makes List of World’s Most Expensive Sandwiches — Ranked 26th at NT$339

Reporter You Ru reports from Taipei

In which country can you find the world’s most expensive club sandwich? The latest Club Sandwich Index (CSI), published by a global online hotel booking website, reveals that Geneva, Switzerland has overtaken last year’s winner Paris to claim the title of having the world’s “most luxurious” club sandwich. Taiwan was officially included in the survey for the first time this year, ranking 26th.


                   ▲2013 Club Sandwich Index. (Photo / Provided by Hotels.com)

The club sandwich is a classic dish offered by hotels around the world, typically consisting of chicken, bacon, eggs, lettuce, and mayonnaise. This index tracks the price of the most commonly available club sandwich across hotels of different star ratings worldwide, serving as an indicator of basic affordability and providing travelers with a reference for local price levels. The Club Sandwich Index calculates the actual prices of club sandwiches purchased at 30 hotels in the capitals of 28 countries, covering a total of 840 hotels (including three-, four-, and five-star properties).

According to this year’s (2013) Club Sandwich Index, the most expensive club sandwich is sold at a five-star hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, priced at an astonishing NT$1,561. The same sandwich can be had at a three-star hotel in the same city for just NT$422. Last year’s winner, Paris, France, came in second place this year with an average price of NT$818. Oslo, the capital of Norway, maintained its third-place ranking with an average price of NT$796.

New Delhi, the capital of India, continues to hold the title of the city with the cheapest club sandwich, averaging NT$272. Other cities where club sandwiches cost less than NT$450 include Madrid, Spain (approximately NT$440), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (approximately NT$429), and Bangkok, Thailand (approximately NT$352). Taipei, included in the survey for the first time, has an average club sandwich price of about NT$339.

Now in its second year, the Club Sandwich Index shows that the title of the world’s most expensive club sandwich has shifted from last year’s leader, Paris, France, to Geneva, Switzerland. While the average price in Geneva has dropped slightly from about NT$960 to NT$908, it remains a significant indicator — and still a costly treat for travelers.

Alison Couper, Global Senior Director of Communications at Hotels.com, said: “By surveying the price of the club sandwich — a dish available at hotels across the globe — and publishing this index, we help travelers more effectively estimate their food-related expenses when planning a trip. The Club Sandwich Index provides an easy-to-understand reflection of price changes and currency fluctuations around the world. By comparing the index figures from last year to this year, travelers can get a sense of the latest real costs of visiting these destinations, helping them budget for their holidays and avoid any nasty financial surprises.”