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14 Expensive Cities That Are A No-Go For Frugal Travelers

Planning a trip but don’t want to sell a kidney to make it happen? You’re in the right place. Because some cities out there are wallet-emptying black holes where even a simple cup of coffee can cost you the price of a small car. Okay, slight exaggeration – but you get the idea.

While these cities might sparkle with world-class attractions and luxury vibes, they’re not exactly designed for those who keep a watchful eye on their bank accounts. And the truth is, traveling doesn’t have to mean financial ruin, but avoiding a few over-the-top destinations can help you keep your budget from screaming in terror.

Save yourself the heart palpitations (and the overdraft fees), and steer clear of these ridiculously pricey hotspots.


Zurich, Switzerland

A serene view of Zurich's historic skyline at sunset, featuring the iconic Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches along the waterfront with reflections in the calm water.
© Shutterstock
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.50

This one isn’t messing around when it comes to thinning out your wallet. High living standards and one of the strongest currencies in the world make just about everything here a luxury splurge. Want a basic hotel room? That’ll cost more than your monthly rent back home.

Thinking of dining out? Sure, if you consider paying $40 for a salad a reasonable idea. Even public transportation feels like it’s setting a premium example for how to empty your pockets.

Oslo, Norway

A panoramic view of Oslo's waterfront, showcasing modern buildings and historical landmarks under a blue evening sky, with city lights reflecting off the water.
© Shutterstock
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.70

Oslo is like that friend who insists on splitting the bill evenly – even when you only had a salad. High wages and a sky-high cost of living mean your suitcase might return home lighter, not from the load but from the sheer financial pain of funding your trip.

Public transport? Pricey. A simple meal out? Expensive. Breathing? Okay, that’s free, but it sure feels like it’s not. Yes, it’s picturesque, clean, and lovely, but unless you’re secretly a Nordic billionaire…you might want to admire this one through Google Street View.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Vibrant and colorful buildings along the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen, illuminated by evening lights, with docked boats and a tranquil waterway.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 5.50

Copenhagen doesn’t do modest. The high standards of living here apply to every aspect of the city – lodging, dining, transportation, you name it. Even grabbing a hot dog from a street vendor feels like a gourmet investment.

And don’t even get me started on high-end restaurants; your wallet might faint before you even sit down. The city is a fairy tale brought to life, sure, but for budget travelers, it’s the kind of fairy tale where the evil queen maxes out your credit cards.

Hong Kong

A dazzling nighttime view of Hong Kong's skyline, featuring skyscrapers and iconic landmarks lit up against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
© Shutterstock
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.20

Hong Kong – a city where the skyline is as high as the costs. Space comes at a premium here, so even those “budget hotels” feel like you’re paying champagne prices for a soda-sized room.

Shopping is also a high-ticket affair, with designer brands and luxury malls just screaming “empty your bank account!” The food is amazing, but don’t think you’ll be dining your way through the city without watching your finances take a nosedive.

Paris, France

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, featuring the striking glass pyramid entrance illuminated at dusk, with reflections on the water and the historic palace in the background.
© Depositphotos
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.80

Everyone dreams of strolling through Paris, baguette and beret in hand. What they don’t dream about? The ridiculous bill that comes with it.

Famous tourist attractions have equally famous entrance fees, shopping in the fashion boutiques is like playing Russian roulette with your bank account, and fine dining usually means say goodbye to your savings. Paris might be the city of love…but your budget will be filing for divorce by the end of your trip.

San Francisco, California

A close-up of the Golden Gate Bridge at night, with its red structure standing out against the illuminated skyline of San Francisco in the background.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.50

Golden Gate Bridge? Stunning. Cable cars? Charming. Prices in San Francisco? Eye-watering. The local cost of living here is infamous, and tourists don’t get a free pass.

Accommodations cost more than some people’s monthly paychecks, a casual dinner for two could rival your car payment, and even a day of sightseeing will hit you harder than expected. Basically, your wallet will be crying louder than the fog horns on the bay.

Dublin, Ireland

A sunset view of Dublin's cityscape along the River Liffey, with the Ha'penny Bridge and reflections of historic buildings and warm golden light on the water.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.60

Charming pubs, rich history, and skyrocketing travel costs. Dublin’s growing popularity as a tourist destination has made it one pricey place to visit these days. Accommodations alone are enough to make you rethink your travel decisions.

And even the local attractions come with fees that seem suspiciously inflated. Add in a few rounds of drinks and Guinness, and what you’ve got is a budget that’s doing an Irish jig straight out the door.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik's distinctive colorful homes and church spires with a snowy mountain range in the background, illustrating the charm of Icelandic architecture.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.00

If isolation came at a cost, Reykjavik would be Exhibit A. Its remote location means everything – goods, services, food, lodging – has a higher price tag. Even the most basic meal feels like a luxury splurge.

And while those breathtaking landscapes are technically free, the tours, transportation, and, well, everything else you might need to see them certainly aren’t. Reykjavik proves one thing…nature’s wonders don’t come cheap.

Seoul, South Korea

A nighttime view of Seoul's cityscape, featuring the illuminated Lotte World Tower and bridges lit up over the Han River, with their lights reflecting on the water.
© Shutterstock
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.80

Seoul’s electric atmosphere and incredible food scene come with a side of big-city pricing. Entertainment and shopping can burn a hole in your pocket faster than you can say “Gangnam Style.”

While the street food offers some budget relief, the high-end dining options are “expense account only.” The city might be a tech-forward city, but for budget travelers, it’s a financial throwback you might want to avoid.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A vibrant view of a canal in Amsterdam with bicycles on a bridge adorned with colorful flower baskets. Traditional Dutch architecture lines the streets, reflecting in the water below.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.60

Tourists love Amsterdam, and Amsterdam loves making tourists pay out the nose. The city center is a costly playground, with accommodations and attractions ballooning in price due to sky-high demand.

Even a modest canal tour or museum visit can leave your budget gasping for air. It’s picturesque and delightful, sure, but your bank account might not find it nearly as charming.

Vienna, Austria

An iconic view of Vienna showcasing the ornate, geometric tiled roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral at sunset. The cityscape spreads out in the background with historic and modern buildings under a colorful sky.
© Shutterstock
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.30

Vienna’s imperial charm extends to its prices. Entrance fees for cultural events, historic venues, and stunning palaces add up faster than you’d expect.

Pair that with the city’s high general cost of living, and you’ve got yourself an expensive European adventure. Vienna might be a feast for your eyes – but it’s also a rather hearty appetite for your financial resources.

Stockholm, Sweden

A nighttime scene of Stockholm, featuring historic buildings illuminated in warm lights along the waterfront. The reflections of the colorful facades sparkle in the calm water.
© Canva Pro
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 4.00

Say hello to Stockholm, the city where everything feels…taxed. High living costs and steep taxes have made this a not-so-budget-friendly destination.

Alcohol is particularly pricey, so a celebratory drink after a long day of sightseeing might make you reconsider your choice to come here. Gorgeous? Absolutely. Affordable? Not unless you take out a small loan.

London, England

The iconic Big Ben clock tower in London, standing tall against a backdrop of the Houses of Parliament and the Westminster Bridge, under a partly cloudy sky with bright green leaves in the foreground.
© Depositphotos
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.50

London – a tale of two wallets. One for your actual money, and one for all the receipts that prove just how much it costs to explore this iconic city. Accommodations are astronomical, and dining is painful.

And transportation (even though those black taxes are cool) is a never-ending drain. Even touring popular attractions like the Tower of London will leave you feeling like you handed over your life savings to the crown.

Tokyo, Japan

A twilight view of Tokyo Skytree, with modern skyscrapers reflecting in the calm water below, highlighting the vibrant urban landscape of Tokyo, Japan.
© Depositphotos
  • Average USD $ Price For A Basic Black Coffee: 3.10

Tokyo might have some reasonably priced hostels and capsule hotels, but don’t be fooled. Dining out here, particularly at sushi joints and local specialty restaurants, can rack up your expenses faster than you can say “Konnichiwa.”

And those unique attractions that brought you here in the first place? They’re not cheap either. Tokyo is vibrant and dynamic…but not for the faint of budget.


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