Choosing a Place to
Travel based on Cost
Outline
- Overvalued and undervalued currencies
- Ten common countries in the cheapest countries
listings
- Least expensive destination in the Eastern Hemisphere
- Least expensive destination in the Western Hemisphere
- Safety Factor
- What do you think of the Leffel
quote
Overvalued and
undervalued currencies
The Big Mac is most expensive in Switzerland with a price of $6.54, while the cheapest costing Big Mac is in Egypt with a price of $1.75. The price for a Big Mac in the United States is $5.51. Based on this price, the Big Mac is overvalued by $1.03 in Switzerland and undervalued by $3.76 in Egypt.
Based on the Big Mac index the top 5 most expensive countries to travel to are Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Norway, and Canada. The top 5 least expensive countries to travel to are Egypt, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Ten common
countries in the cheapest countries listings
10 cheap countries to travel to are:
1) Vietnam 2) India 3) Thailand 4) Cambodia 5) Indonesia 6) Greece 7) Hungary 8) Peru
9) Guatemala 10) Costa Rica
Least expensive
destination in the Eastern Hemisphere
I selected Malaysia because it had a good Big Mac index valuation and it has been noted to be a cost effective travel locale. I decided on Kuala Lumpur because it had the cheapest flights and lodging.
Link to Oasis Guest House on Booking.com
A Big Mac costs $2.10 in Malaysia, $3.41 undervalued.
The average cost for breakfast is $2, lunch is $3, and dinner is $5.
Airfare: $637.73
Oasis Guest House: $206
Food: $210.00
Sum Total: $1,053.73
Least expensive
destination in the Western Hemisphere
I selected Mexico because it is relatively cheap to fly, stay, and eat there. I ended up choosing Durango when it came up with flights that were cost effective and cheap Air BnB prices for a private room.
A Big Mac costs $2.57 in Mexico, $2.94 undervalued.
The average cost for a meal is $4 USD.
Airfare: $444.92
Air BnB: $287
Food: $252
Sum Total: $983.92
Safety Factor
The safest country is Iceland. The United States is ranked 121 out of 163. Malaysia is ranked at 25 and Mexico is rated at 140.
What do you think
of the Leffel quote:
I understand the sentiment in Leffel’s quote, but I do not believe it to be accurate. With requirements for general education classes, students are able to build a more well-rounded knowledge base. Higher education can pique student’s interest to travel to a certain region based on their academic studies. When students do begin traveling they will be able to build upon their foundation of knowledge to gain even more insight into the different cultures, history, holidays, and lifestyles of others. There is something to be said for experiential learning through travel, but obtaining an education will not only benefit one’s travel experiences, but it will eventually help fund travel excursions.
Submitted by Kate Lade on 2/23/2019.