Guess where you'll get the cheapest city break in the world?PA


Forget Paris and New York: anyone in search of a cost-effective city break would do well to consider an adventure in Hanoi or Budapest instead, according to Tripadvisor.

The travel site has helpfully produced a 'Tripindex' which gives the exact costs for Brits visiting popular city destinations and compared them with each other to find the world's cheapest - and the most expensive - breaks. By working out the average price of an evening out and an overnight stay for two people in key tourist cities in the world, the index provides a useful little tool to help holidaymakers plan their budgets.

These findings are based on the combined costs for two people staying one night in a four-star hotel, cocktails, a two-course dinner with a bottle of wine, return taxi transportation (two miles each way), based on prices between 1 June and 31 August 2012. And there are some real surprises in store... How many of these cities have you stayed in?

Tripadvisor's top ten cities for value for money

  • Beijing, China
    <p> The home of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, Beijing attracted 200 million tourists in 2011 alone. In other words, it's a pretty busy place.&nbsp;<strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;67.72. Return taxi trip: &pound;1.09. Cocktails for two: &pound;15.07. Dinner for two: &pound;17.48. Total cost: &pound;101.37.</p>
    Beijing, China
  • Bangkok, Thailand
    <p> From backpackers' retreats to luxury hotels, Bangkok caters for all - which is why more than 20 million tourists head here every year. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;51.68. Return taxi trip: &pound;1.30. Cocktails for two: &pound;6.05. Dinner for two: &pound;44.35. Total cost: &nbsp;&pound;103.38.</p>
    Bangkok, Thailand
  • Budapest, Hungary
    <p> Hailed as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, Budapest is only one of two European destinations to make Tripadvisor's top ten value for money city destinations. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;66.58. Return taxi trip: &pound;6.25. Cocktails for two: &pound;22.96. Dinner for two: &pound;27.54. Total cost: &pound;123.32.</p>
    Budapest, Hungary
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    <p> This 21st century metropolis, basking in the benefits of in of a booming economy, is an upcoming tourist hotspot for western tourists. <strong>Tripindex</strong>: Hotel: &pound;72.32. Return taxi trip: &pound;2.34. Cocktails for two: &pound;12.54. Dinner for two: &pound;36.67. Total cost: &pound;123.86.</p>
    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Warsaw, Poland
    <p> A popular city among culture lovers, brand new &nbsp;tourist attractions here include a new museum dedicated to Chopin and another on Jewish history. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> &pound;69.66. Return taxi trip: &pound;7.90. Cocktails for two: &pound;7.72. Dinner for two: &pound;42.03. Total cost:&pound;127.30.</p>
    Warsaw, Poland
  • Taipei, Taiwan
    <p> In recent years, this city has gone from being one of the ugliest in Asia to a dynamic, fun and modern city. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> &nbsp;Hotel: &pound;90.31. Return taxi trip: &pound;2.35. Cocktails for two: &pound;16.79. Dinner for two: &pound;20.25. Total cost: &pound;129.70.</p>
    Taipei, Taiwan
  • Sofia, Bulgaria
    <p> Sofia is often overlooked by tourists who merely travel through it on their way to ski resorts or the coast - but they're missing out on a treat. This is definitely one to watch. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;74.08. Return taxi trip:&pound;2.18. Cocktails for two: &pound;26.18. Dinner for two: &pound;29.94. Total cost:&pound;132.38</p>
    Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Jakarta, Indonesia
    <p> Known as the gateway to Indonesia, this city is among the cheapest of all for British holidaymakers to while away a day or two. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;79.15. Return taxi trip: &pound;2.97. Cocktails for two: &pound;13.74. Dinner for two: &pound;40.16. Total cost: &pound;136.02.</p>
    Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Tunis, Tunisa
    <p> Spectacular Roman ruins, the Great Mosque, amazing mosaics and Islamic art mean that around 2 million tourists visit every year. <strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;96.31. Return taxi trip: &pound;3.35. Cocktails for two: &pound;6.38. Dinner for two: &pound;32.16. Total cost: &pound;138.19.</p>
    Tunis, Tunisa
  • Hanoi, Vietnam
    <p> An exotic city glittering with fascinating architecture, both ancient and modern, Hanoi is becoming increasingly popular as a destination for Brits - not least because it represents amazing value for money. It comes top of Tripadvisor's list of cheap cities for 2012.&nbsp;<strong>Tripindex:</strong> Hotel: &pound;54.80. Return taxi trip: &pound;3.16. Cocktails for two: &pound;14.39. Dinner for two: &pound;18.31. Total cost: &pound;89.93.</p>
    Hanoi, Vietnam