Summer travel: Oslo is the most expensive, Sofia the cheapest; Taipei ranks 32nd

▲ Scenic view of Oslo, Norway. (Photo / Courtesy of Oslo, Norway - Official travel guide website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive report

As the summer travel season kicks in, planning overseas trips has become a headache for many. A travel website has releasedits list of “the most expensive summer travel cities,” with Norway’s Oslo topping the chart, while Bulgaria’s Sofia is the most budget-friendly. Among the 49 cities surveyed, Taipei ranks 32nd, making it relatively affordable..

According to a TripAdvisor.com survey, the ranking is based on the combined costs of one night in a 4-star hotel, taxi fares, a pre-dinner cocktail, a dinner for two, and a bottle of wine. Among 49 global cities, Oslo comes in at $581.50, making it the most wallet-draining summer destination, while Taipei costs $256.46 and Sofia just $158.42.

▲ Local delicacies offered at restaurants in Oslo. (Photo / Courtesy of Oslo, Norway - Official travel guide website)

Other low-cost destinations in the top five include Hanoi (Vietnam), Warsaw (Poland), Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), and Budapest (Hungary). In Asia, Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) also rank among the top 10 most affordable cities. Hotel costs usually make up the largest portion of total expenses, but taxi fares and restaurant prices have also risen sharply — for example, £41.47 in London covers just 2 miles, whereas the same amount can pay for 20 rides in Kuala Lumpur.

▲ Scenery of Hanoi, Vietnam. (Photo / Courtesy of TripAdvisor.com travel website)

Other well-known tourist cities also come with high price tags, including New York (USA), Paris (France), Sydney (Australia), London (UK), and Tokyo (Japan), ranking 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 12th respectively. However, the travel website notes that not all major city trips have to be costly. For those heading to Europe, Sofia is a good choice, especially if you opt for budget hotels under $100 per night. Italy’s Rome and Spain’s Barcelona are also relatively affordable, ranking 20th and 24th.

For those wanting to visit popular destinations in the United States, it’s best to avoid Honolulu, Hawaii, where a night’s stay plus other expenses could cost up to $504.94. The most affordable option isAlaska, with Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, and Portland rounding out the top five cheapest cities..