$1,561 for a Club Sandwich? Geneva Named the World’s Most Expensive Travel City

In an era when everyone is complaining about rising prices and stagnant salaries, do you know how much the most expensive club sandwich can cost? According to the latest Club Sandwich Index (CSI) released by global online hotel booking website Hotels.com, a five-star hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, has claimed the top spot by charging NT$1,561 (approx. USD 50) for a club sandwich, beating last year’s winner, Paris. On average, a club sandwich in Geneva costs NT$908, making it the most expensive in the world. Taiwan was officially included in this survey for the first time this year, ranking 26th.

The club sandwich is a classic dish offered by hotels worldwide, typically consisting of chicken, bacon, egg, lettuce, and mayonnaise. This year marks the second edition of the Club Sandwich Index, which surveys the average price of club sandwiches sold at 30 hotels in the capital cities of various countries—10 five-star, 10 four-star, and 10 three-star hotels. The survey covered 28 countries, encompassing 840 hotels and calculating the prices of 840 club sandwiches. It serves as an indicator of basic consumer affordability, providing travelers with a reference for local price levels.

 

The results show that the title of the world’s most expensive club sandwich has shifted from Paris, France — last year’s leader — to Geneva, Switzerland. While the highest price reached NT$1,561, travelers can still get a more reasonably priced sandwich at around NT$422 if they opt for a three-star hotel. Last year’s winner, Paris, came in second place this time 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 you can find club sandwiches for less than NT$450 include Madrid, Spain (around NT$440), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (around NT$429), and Bangkok, Thailand (around NT$352). Taipei, which was included in the survey for the first time, has an average price of about NT$339 per club sandwich.