Post Office City Costs Barometer 2023

How Britain compares

CHEAPEST CITIES 1 Vilnius

2 Krakow

3 Riga

4 Athens

5 Lisbon

MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES 1 Amsterdam 2 Dublin

3 Venice

4 Paris

5 Edinburgh

The inclusion of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the report leads to some unfavourable comparisons with other nations’ cheaper hotels and dining – but not when it comes to culture. Entrance to the top museums and art galleries in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast is free of charge, whereas in Vilnius access costs on average £8.45 and £7.12 respectively (though on the last Sunday of each month, many are free of charge, says Godfrey).

Of the four UK capitals, Cardiff offers the best value overall (£324.80 for a minibreak) and Edinburgh is the priciest – due to high accommodation prices, which are up eight per cent since spring.

In general, hotel rates are falling however: the biggest savings can be found in Nice (down 42 per cent since spring), Berlin (-35 per cent), Tallinn (-34 per cent), Warsaw (-33 per cent) and Lille (-30 per cent), with double-digit decreases in another 22 cities across Europe.

And the lowest overnights? You’ll find those in Tallinn, which ranks ninth overall: here, a two-night stay in a threestar hotel will cost two adults just £104.

And Europe’s most expensive city?

At the opposite end of the scale is Amsterdam, where a bill for a two-night minibreak could total £661.03 – making it the dearest of the 35 cities. Some of its prices are three times those of Vilnius: an airport transfer for £10.45 (versus £1.17 in Vilnius), a heritage museum ticket for £14.23 (free, in Vilnius), and two nights’ accommodation for £462 (£111 in Vilnius).

It’s little surprise, says Telegraph Travel’s Amsterdam expert Rodney Bolt. “Returning home to Amsterdam after a recent stay in Spain, I glanced glumly at the bill for a sandwich and a mint tea from my local café. It came to more than a three-course menu del dia with wine in Seville the day before. As a long-time resident, I’ve seen my rent nearly double, and a meal out do almost the same, with a marked spike in the last few years. And all of this has had a knock-on effect for visitors.”

But while Amsterdam’s prices soar, it’s reassuring to know that elsewhere in Europe we can still scoop a bargain – and indeed, enjoy a favourable exchange rate. A welcome winter break, for you and your wallet alike.

j Latvia’s capital Riga is Europe’s third cheapest city to visit