City Brakes: Cost Saving in the World’s most Expensive Cities

Heading for a night out in Singapore

A list of the most expensive cities in the world has just been published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (a sort of MI5 for accountants). Out of 133 countries, the top ten comprises (in reverse order) are Los Angeles (10), Seoul (9), Copenhagen (8), New York (7), London (6), Paris (5), Geneva (4), Hong Kong (3), Zürich (2) and Singapore (1).

Now we all like a city break to experience the energy of a different city but are some cities just too expensive to visit as a tourist or is there a way to cut down on costs? 

You could opt to visit the cheapest cities in the survey but, to be fair,  Bangalore and Lusaka don’t feature too highly on most city break wish lists. Where to then? Let’s look at some of the top ten cities that you might want to visit and how you can get more for less.

Copenhagen: Paint the town red. Or orange or...

Copenhagen ranks at 8th on the list.The Danish capital is a great short break destination. It can also get you through your Danish Kroners quicker than you can say Hans Christian Andersen. So on arrival, buy a Copenhagen Card which offers discounted entry to a number of attractions as well as use of public transport and free entry to Tivoli Gardens. 

Follow the locals and hire a bicycle to tour the area and steer well clear of the 20 Michelin starred restaurants including world beater, Noma which should in any case be fully booked for it’s final year. 

HOW: Copenhagen benefits from a very competitive flight market with direct flights from all five London airports (i.e. not Southend), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle. Fans of seasickness will be disappointed to learn that the UK/Denmark ferry service has been discontinued. 

Zürich: surrounded by giant Toblerones

Switzerland’s reputation precedes it so unsurprisingly, Geneva makes 4th on the list whilst Zürich is 2nd. It’s as if the streets and lakes are paved with gold. 

German speaking Zürich is well worth a visit. Buy a Zürich Card which offers discounted entrance to museums and night clubs (order a drink at your financial peril) and access to boats, cable cars and public transport in the city. There’s also a sinister sounding 'culinary surprise’. 

If you like orange, stay at the EasyHotel and for a filling meal order the local delicacy, Rösti, which resembles a full english covered in potatoes and cheese. That should keep you going all day.

HOW: Multiple daily flights operate to Zürich from the London five, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Inverness. Geneva is similarly well served.

New York: the electricity bill must be huge

New York is one of our favourite short break cities. And bank breaking ones. At 7th in the list it is just below London and Paris. A poor exchange rate means NYC is not the shopping bargain it once was. There is however so much more to the Big Apple and the locals like a bargain. 

This is the place to load up on discount coupons. There is always a deal happening somewhere so be informed and avoid dining out or going to the theatre at peak times. Portions err on the large side, breakfast is always a bargain and the gourmet Food Trucks are legendary.  

Get around on the Subway -it is much faster than the iconic yellow cabs and has the advantage of knowing where it’s going. A New York City Pass can be bought to give discounted admission to a number of attractions such as the Empire State Building.

HOW: Fly to JFK or Newark from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh. Heathrow alone has an astonishing 30+ flights per day which keeps things competitive.

No need to be Singa-poor in this exciting city

So to the number one. Granted, Singapore is not generally a weekend destination but if you find yourself in that part of the world then it’s a stopover you will want to make. How then to do so without spending more on the stopover than the main event? 

The tourist office go out of their way to help people discover their city.There are good deals to be had so keep informed via the many wifi spots in the city about happy hours and restaurant deals. Get an EZ Link pass for the metro system and travel quickly and cheaply (although taxis are one of the bargains here). 

Eat hot fresh food in the street markets of China Town and Little India or in the vast food courts in the endless air conditioned shopping malls. Book a hotel deal before arriving - discounts are available for transiting Singapore Airlines passengers. Lay off the Slings at the Raffles hotel - just visit and take photos and enjoy the many outdoor spaces on foot given that the year round temperature is 30c. These include the botanical gardens, outdoor gardens at Bay South and the arts scene at the Esplanade for no cost at all. 


Thirsty for more knowledge and ideas, frugal or otherwise? Please visit my Website and Facebook page and follow me on Twitter.

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Break the mould not the Bank!

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel (ABTA L3832)
11 March 2016