No matter where you travel, vacations can be expensive. The price of accommodations, dining, and local transport can add up to hundreds of dollars each day in some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. A recent study from online insurance comparison platform HelloSafe reveals just how much you can expect to spend in the 10 most expensive countries to visit in 2025.
10. United Arab Emirates
Average daily budget per traveler: $220
The United Arab Emirates is the most expensive country to visit in mainland Asia, beating out neighboring Oman (No. 12 in the study) and Qatar (No. 15). The high cost to visit is due, in part, to the lavish and luxurious nature of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, two of the UAE’s most popular cities, both of which have a reputation for opulence.
For the ultra-wealthy, a single night’s stay in the Royal Mansion — the world’s most expensive hotel room at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai — will run you $100,000. But for the average visitor, Travel Visa Pro says that you can expect to pay $700 for a one-week budget vacation, $1,750 for midrange accommodations, and $4,500 for a luxury experience. The price of popular attractions in the UAE also adds up — a trip to the 2,722-foot-tall Burj Khalifa’s observatory costs roughly $49 USD, while a tandem skydive over the Palm Jumeirah requires a whopping $600 USD to experience.
9. Greenland
Average daily budget per traveler: $222
Though Greenland is technically part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it’s far more expensive to visit this self-governing autonomous territory than it is to visit Denmark itself (which ranks No. 26 in the report). One reason for this is due to Greenland’s relative isolation, meaning it’s costlier to develop infrastructure and import goods. Greenland is also at the mercy of the frigid Arctic weather, so peak tourism season takes place in a narrow window from June to August. During these months, expect costs to be even higher and hotels to book up quickly.
Looking to visit Greenland on a budget? The country’s tourism board has a few pieces of advice. They suggest coming during fall, winter, or spring — even though it’ll be colder and darker, it’ll also be much cheaper, and you can still experience attractions such as dog sledding or gazing upon the northern lights. The tourism board further recommends sticking to local fare when eating. Given the harsh climate, it’s difficult to grow any produce in Greenland, which makes imported fruits and vegetables pricier. Local offerings such as fish, seal, and reindeer are usually much more affordable when dining out.
8. Micronesia
Average daily budget per traveler: $249
Micronesia, the most expensive country to visit in Oceania, comprises 607 islands, spread out among the vast expanse of the western Pacific Ocean. While trips to Micronesia are notorious for their high airfare, those costs weren’t even included in HelloSafe’s rankings.
As of 2019, there were only 30 hotels in Micronesia, which means accommodations are limited, and some islands may have only one option. Also, there’s no public transportation, leaving visitors no choice but to walk, drive, or pay for a private taxi to get where they’re going. To travel between islands by boat, it can cost around $150 for a private cabin, further adding to the expense of visiting Micronesia.
7. United States
Average daily budget per traveler: $249
The U.S. ranks as the seventh most expensive country to visit, though the numbers vary considerably depending on where you’re traveling. Major cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles are known for their expensive accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment, but it may surprise you to learn that some of the costliest places to visit in the U.S. are in the Mountain West.
A 2024 study conducted by OptimosTravel found that the ski resort town of Aspen, Colorado, was the most expensive vacation destination in the U.S., with an average cost of $761.39 per day per traveler. Another ski town — Park City, Utah — ranked next, with a cost of $710.08 each day, followed by Maui, Hawaii ($680.24); Montauk, New York ($617.65); and Santa Monica, California ($592.62).
6. Switzerland
Average daily budget per traveler: $251
While countries such as France (No. 16) and Iceland (No. 19) are also expensive vacation destinations, no European nation costs more to visit than Switzerland. According to Hans Markus Herren, the head of Switzerland’s consumer prices department, one reason for these high costs is the fact that wages are generally higher in Switzerland. The higher wages are covered, in part, by charging tourists more for dining, travel, and other services throughout the country.
Another reason for these high prices is that the Swiss franc has more buying power than most other currencies, including the U.S. dollar. As of May 2025, $1 USD is equivalent to 0.82 CHF. In other words, purchases will cost you roughly 21% more in Switzerland than in the United States, and that’s before you take exchange fees into account.
5. Grenada
Average daily budget per traveler: $259
Grenada is the first of four Caribbean nations to appear on this list. Costs tend to be higher in the southeast region of the island near Grand Anse Beach, where many luxury resorts are located. According to Expedia, stays at all-inclusive resorts in the area start around $200 per night, but quickly skyrocket into the thousands for more upscale properties.
Prices also tend to be higher in Grenada from December to April, as people visit during this time to escape the frigid winter months up north. If you’re looking for a cheaper and more authentic Grenadian experience, consider visiting outside of peak season and venturing off the beaten path to enjoy some local fare, such as oil down, the country’s national dish. This stew uses local favorites such as salted meat or chicken, breadfruit, and callaloo, rather than expensive imports.
4. The Maldives
Average daily budget per traveler: $268
Of the 1,100 islands that make up this nation in the Indian Ocean, only 200 are inhabited, and only half of those 200 are geared toward tourists. Given the small size of these islands, there are only so many hotel accommodations to go around, which leads to higher prices. These hotels are also in high demand, as the Maldives set a tourism record in 2024 with 1.97 million visitors, a 9% increase over the year prior.
Take, for instance, the Ritz-Carlton on the Fari Islands, which charges $1,500 to $2,000 per night on average, or the Muraka, a private underwater bedroom at the Conrad resort on Rangali Island that starts at $9,999 per night. That said, it is possible to enjoy the Maldives on a budget — going in the offseason (May to October) means lower costs, and many newer hotels may offer discounts.
3. St. Kitts and Nevis
Average daily budget per traveler: $272
Much like other Caribbean countries that rank high on this list, St. Kitts and Nevis is known for its luxury resort offerings with pristine beaches, which often come at a high cost. One of the more popular tourist destinations is Kittian Village, which was built up exclusively for tourists on the eastern coastline of St. Kitts. The travel booking service Kayak notes that the average price of a double room in St. Kitts and Nevis costs $593 per night, with prices for higher-end properties rising to $928 per night. According to Kayak, prices dip in September, making that month the cheapest time to visit St. Kitts and Nevis.
2. Antigua and Barbuda
Average daily budget per traveler: $311
Tourism dominates the economy of Antigua and Barbuda, contributing to roughly 60% of the national GDP each year. A 90-minute ferry service connects the two islands, allowing you to easily experience both during your visit. But when choosing where to stay, there are several factors worth taking into consideration, especially if you’re concerned about cost.
Larger and livelier Antigua tends to be more popular among tourists than Barbuda, which usually leads to higher costs in Antigua. This is especially true during Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s most popular sailing regattas, so expect to pay a premium if you visit during that time. But no matter the time of year, you’ll spend plenty on activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, which can cost hundreds of dollars per person. Many foods are also imported to Antigua and Barbuda, so the cost of dining out can be quite expensive.
1. Barbados
Average daily budget per traveler: $331
The world’s most expensive country to visit is the Caribbean island nation of Barbados, which is easily reachable with direct flights from many major U.S. cities. But despite high prices, 636,603 tourists visited Barbados in 2023 alone — more than double Barbados’ population.
While the costs of goods, services, and accommodations are already high, Barbados also levies several tourist taxes — up to $17.50 nightly for hotel rooms, a $5 daily fee for rental cars, and a departure tax (often included in the cost of your airline ticket) up to $70 when leaving the country.
About the data: To compile this list, we referenced HelloSafe’s ranking of average vacation costs in 2025 in 131 countries around the world. The study looked at accommodation costs, food expenses, transportation costs within the country, and cost of tourist activities, but it did not factor in the cost of transportation to and from each country. You can learn more about their methodology and view the full ranking here.
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