Holiday hotspot among most expensive for 2024 – a glass of wine sets you back…

New York City ranked just above the bottom place in the latest barometer, only missing out on the position of most expensive destination to Tamarindo in Costa Rica.

Average prices have risen for various products in New York City in recent years, resulting in its position at the bottom of the table.

To conduct the study, 40 destinations were surveyed for the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, compiled with the help of national and local tourist boards.

Eight items including a three-course meal for two with wine, a cup of coffee, a bottle of local beer, a can of cola, a glass of wine, a bottle of still water, suncream and insect repellent – were selected as representative of the purchases UK tourists are likely to make. Post Office researchers cross-checked prices.

Based on the research, alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer came with an eye-watering price tag. According to the data collected, the average price of a glass of wine in New York City is almost £10 – coming in at £9.23 for a 175ml measure.

Compared to the UK national average for the same-sized glass of wine, which the ONS reports to be £5.10, it’s a significant leap.

The Post Office Barometer also found that the average bottle of local beer or larger in New York City will set holidaymakers back £5.82. For reference, the average cost of a pint in London is £6.75, the most expensive city in the UK, according to Finder.com.

The barometer also highlighted the cost of a cup of coffee in New York City as £2.97. A bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi will set you back an average of £2.97, while a 1.5-litre mineral water will cost £1.84.

When it comes to dining out, the barometer found the average cost of a three-course evening meal for two people, including a bottle of house wine, will set people back an average of £106.17.

Other items analysed in the barometer include suncream and insect repellent, which cost an average of £9.63 and £4.65, respectively.