In December 2023, Euromonitor International released this year's top 100 city destinations, coming at a time when global tourism and travel is rebounding strongly following the pandemic. As expected, New York City was one of the most popular destinations, ranking 8th, the highest for any American city.
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New York City also ranks eighth among the 28 most expensive destinations in the U.S., according to a GOBankingRates survey released in June 2023. But the city's tough crackdown on short-term rental laws and building permits could see the “City that Never Sleeps” move closer to first place in no time.
The country is not alone. According to Nadejda Popova, senior manager at Euromonitor International, “some destinations have imposed restrictions, high taxes and reduced hotel capacity to limit tourist inflows and protect cultural heritage, while others have adopted decentralization strategies to promote alternative or off-the-beaten-path destinations.”
Of the 10 most-visited cities in the world, New York City is already the most expensive to travel to, according to Rustic Pathways. The site, which caters to student travelers and those looking for study abroad programs, analyzed average prices for accommodation, transportation, and food and beverages from multiple travel agencies and found that a one-night stay in New York City costs $687 (not including airfare, train fares, or bus fares to get to your destination).
Big cities and capital cities offer amazing experiences for tourists, but travelling to many places these days requires careful budget planning. You might want to go somewhere off the beaten path or choose a cheaper vacation spot, but if you have your heart set on visiting popular destinations, prepare by saving up in advance and researching affordable accommodation, food and drink, entertainment and activity deals.
According to Rustic Pathways, the top 10 most expensive popular big city destinations are:
10. Berlin, Germany — $266 per night
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9. Madrid, Spain — $298 per night
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8. Tokyo, Japan — $338 per night
7. Barcelona, Spain — $340 per night
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands — $374 per night
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5. Rome, Italy — $383 per night
4. London, UK — $461 per night
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates — $465 per night
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2. Paris, France — $557 per night
1. New York City, USA — $687 per night
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Travel Cities That Are Too Expensive to Visit
