Most expensive places to visit

[jellybungsters]

Just found this link:

http://travel.usnews.com/gallery/15_Most_Expensive_Places_to_Visit/

 

4 of the cities we will be visiting: Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are among the 8 most expensive cities to visit.

 

Here's a link to a T.G.I.Fridays menu in Oslo and the price for a Jack Daniels burger is 129 NOK (or about $22)

http://www.fridays.no/sites/tgifridays.co.uk/files/storemenus/pdfs/Aker%20Brygge%20Lunch%20Menu%20May%202013.pdf

 

C'est la vie.

[Hlitner]

So true. We were walking down the street in Alesund, Norway and stopped to look at the menu in a typical pizza joint. The cost of a large pizza (about 16 inches) and a carafe of cheap Spanish wine was about $100! In Oslo there is a TGI Friday in a great location and its usually packed with locals. A simple Hamburger there is about $30 (not sure if it even includes fries). If you are on a budget you should do your eating on the ship since food seems to be the most expensive item in these countries. Public transit and rental cars are actually pretty reasonable and gas is about the same price as the rest of Europe.

 

Hank

[NeoVega]

That is depressing...LOL.

 

I thought I would be smart and booked a flight to my cruise starting in Stockholm via Iceland with 2 days in Stockholm. The flight was cheaper flying through Iceland. The main reason for my daughter and I to take this cruise was to see Riga, Latvia and Tallinn Estonia. I was figuring I would add on a few extra destinations to make the trip more interesting.

 

Now I am looking at how to contain costs for my vacation, since the add-ons are quickly adding up to more than my cruise and airfare.

 

Then I realized I have to budget some significant dollars for tours in St Petersburg. That we need to stay in a hostel in Stockholm so we can keep the price per night under $150 and also cook a meal or two in the shared kitchen. And we plan on indulging in a Swedish Summer buffet at IKEA for considerably less than a smorgasbord would cost elsewhere. I have figured out a plan for using a 48 hr Stockholm Card instead of a 72 hr card, even though we will be there from Friday morning to Embarkation between 11 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

 

Helsinki has its own cost of living challenges.

 

And I forgot to mention our day in Iceland, where renting a car, enjoying geothermal springs and riding Iceland ponies will put help a dent in my wallet well before I even get close to the destinations I was aiming for: Riga and Tallinn.

 

Sigh. But I know the money I am spending I am spending well. And this will be one helluva a vacation!

[barante]

We were at the Hamburg airport a month ago where a half-liter bottle of Coca Cola in a vending machine was priced at 8 euros, or close to $13. Instead of that Coke, I went online later that day and bought shares of a penny stock that pays dividends.

 

Unlike many other cruisers, whether in Europe or elsewhere, we do not eat main meals ashore. Two reasons. No. 1 cost; No. 2 we don't know where the really good restaurants are. We are convinced that in many cases, if not most, our pre-paid food on the ship is equal to what we might get ashore. If not, we can pretend it is. Call us cheap charleys but that skinflinting hasn't lessened our enjoyment.

 

Visiting an Ikea in Baltimore Sunday, I saw that an open-faced sliced egg and shrimp sandwich goes for less than $3. I'm not sure one could get it that cheap in Europe, but clearly Ikea and its cousins -- including Aldi and Liedl for sandwiches -- is one option.

 

In Hamburg, we also found a wonderful fish eatery near our budget hotel (that rented out bicycles and skateboards). The eatery had just a few seats, and offered terrific smoked salmon, mackerel, etc. with sides at affordable rates.

 

Fortunately for the OP, Tallinn and Riga should be relatively manageable. Both are great cities, by the way, and easy to do without spending a lot of money on excursions.

 

In Helsinki, my native city, I hosted a brunch for some 24 friends and relatives. Excellent Finnish smorgasboard-type cuisine at a picturesque old villa in a park in the outskirts. Basic wines. I thought the total -- some $1,250 was a good deal.

 

We are headed back for Europe in September. How can we do that? Lots of reasons, including a good pension and savings. But we also are careful in selecting our cruises.

 

This is my 70th birthday year, so we are doing things we might not otherwise do, such as the added starter -- a 15-day Carnival Legend from Dover that calls at Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Reykjavik, Greenland, New Founland, ending up in Manhatttan. This was not in the cards but when I spotted the cruise, I knew I wanted to do it. I have always wanted to see Greenland before it melts away.

 

Our balcony cabin on the Legend costs $1,400 pp., which I think is a steal. (If you wait for a few weeks until the final payment deadline passes, you are likely to get cabins even cheaper because the Sept. 25 sailing seems half-empty). Our one-way AA code-share on British Airways from BWI to LHR is $480 pp.

 

In April, our 17-day trans-Atlantic on MSC Poesia cost us $1,200 pp in an aft-balcony cabin. We paid about the same for an 11-day Baltic cruise on MSC Magnifica from and to Hamburg that included Stockholm, overnight in St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

 

On more than 20 cruises, we have taken a ship's excursion just twice. Once in Saigon and now for a second time in Reykjavik, a very expensive city. Weighing options we decided that the Carnival excursion that includes countryisde touring and a crayfish feast outside Reykjavik is a good buy at $100 pp. I was in Reykjavik before -- during the Reagan-Gorbachev summit. I was too busy to see anything. Now that we are going again, this is no time not to spend a bit.

 

Since neither us drinks ordinarily, we don't spend much money on drinks. And it helps to be a Carnival stockholder, because our 100 shares entitle us to $250 worth of onboard credits. In fact, we have gotten so many credits over the years that the initial stock purchase long ago redeemed itself.

[drarill]

Just found this link:

http://travel.usnews.com/gallery/15_Most_Expensive_Places_to_Visit/

 

4 of the cities we will be visiting: Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are among the 8 most expensive cities to visit.

 

Here's a link to a T.G.I.Fridays menu in Oslo and the price for a Jack Daniels burger is 129 NOK (or about $22)

http://www.fridays.no/sites/tgifridays.co.uk/files/storemenus/pdfs/Aker%20Brygge%20Lunch%20Menu%20May%202013.pdf

 

C'est la vie.

Thanks for the link!! We are visiting four of those cities too!! London, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm! :):)

[movc]

Have lunch at a kebab place on Stroget. Buy drinks at a convenience store or supermarket and sit by the canal on Nyhaven. National museum and national gallery museums are free and Glyptotek museum is free on Sundays. Look for budget supermarkets Lidl and Aldi. Consider buying a Copenhagen card.

 

http://www.roughguides.com/article/copenhagen-for-free/

[Nitemare]

That is depressing...LOL.

 

I thought I would be smart and booked a flight to my cruise starting in Stockholm via Iceland with 2 days in Stockholm. The flight was cheaper flying through Iceland. The main reason for my daughter and I to take this cruise was to see Riga, Latvia and Tallinn Estonia. I was figuring I would add on a few extra destinations to make the trip more interesting.

 

Now I am looking at how to contain costs for my vacation, since the add-ons are quickly adding up to more than my cruise and airfare.

 

Then I realized I have to budget some significant dollars for tours in St Petersburg. That we need to stay in a hostel in Stockholm so we can keep the price per night under $150 and also cook a meal or two in the shared kitchen. And we plan on indulging in a Swedish Summer buffet at IKEA for considerably less than a smorgasbord would cost elsewhere. I have figured out a plan for using a 48 hr Stockholm Card instead of a 72 hr card, even though we will be there from Friday morning to Embarkation between 11 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

 

Helsinki has its own cost of living challenges.

 

And I forgot to mention our day in Iceland, where renting a car, enjoying geothermal springs and riding Iceland ponies will put help a dent in my wallet well before I even get close to the destinations I was aiming for: Riga and Tallinn.

 

Sigh. But I know the money I am spending I am spending well. And this will be one helluva a vacation!

 

You are going to LOVE Iceland. We did the same flight last year, but stopped in Iceland for 2 days on the way home from Stockholm. Didn't rent a car, which made the touring less complicated, but it did end up being extremely expensive as we're going back to Iceland this summer for 10 days!

[sverigecruiser]

That is depressing...LOL.

 

Then I realized I have to budget some significant dollars for tours in St Petersburg. That we need to stay in a hostel in Stockholm so we can keep the price per night under $150 and also cook a meal or two in the shared kitchen. And we plan on indulging in a Swedish Summer buffet at IKEA for considerably less than a smorgasbord would cost elsewhere. I have figured out a plan for using a 48 hr Stockholm Card instead of a 72 hr card, even though we will be there from Friday morning to Embarkation between 11 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

 

 

Since you are in Stockholm during the weekend, you can probably find a decent hotel for under $150 with the breakfast included. McDonalds cost more than in the US but you get a cheeseburger there for around $1.50. Maybe not a great meal but at least you don't have to cook it yourself! The food at IKEA is also, like you said, rather cheap.

[hlperez]

Is there an Ikea in central Stockholm? It sounds like a good idea to eat there.

[Desdichado62]

Since you are in Stockholm during the weekend, you can probably find a decent hotel for under $150 with the breakfast included. McDonalds cost more than in the US but you get a cheeseburger there for around $1.50. Maybe not a great meal but at least you don't have to cook it yourself! The food at IKEA is also, like you said, rather cheap.

 

yeah I agree with this. The past 3-4 years I've stayed at three different hotels and I don't think I paid more then $150-$160 for single or double room.

 

Is there an Ikea in central Stockholm? It sounds like a good idea to eat there.

 

No, the closest is more then 10km outside the city centre.

 

 

For lunch and etc check http://www.restaurangguiden.com/en/

http://www.alltomstockholm.se/listor/article4061290.aos

http://upplevelser-stockholm.se/2013/03/16/restaurangtips/

http://restaurangborggarden.se/veckans-matsedel-2/

there might be something that fits your budget but probably not,

[Giantfan13]

In Helsinki, you can get excellent food right in Market Square for under $10 for a complete meal.

 

If you are talking about London, you can definitely eat cheaply there if you want fast food or any of a 100 fish and chips places.

 

In most cities you will find a MacDonald's, a Subway, even a Burger King. No matter how much they charge it will always be cheaper than any local restaurants.

 

Again, depending on where you want to eat will determine the price. I'm sure, if you are right in the middle of the Town Square, and everyone is a tourist, the price will be much higher, but a block or two, off the beaten track, you can find local food for a cheaper price.

 

If we are talking a quick lunch or a snack while exploring a port city, you can always take a sandwich off the ship, some snacks etc, you can hit a local ice cream parlor, we found a couple of 7-11's that we went in for a nice cool Slurpee.

 

You can call this cheap or experience, but we brought drinking bottles with us and a folding cooler pack. We filled these bottles up at the breakfast buffet with juice or water and some ice, and we had drinks for a good part of the day.

 

But, as I said, the best inexpensive local food you will find is in Helsinki in Market Square

 

Food is prepared on these huge open grills and pots.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1146-1_zpsa7bd428c.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1145_zpsd6a1c336.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1144_zps90bf5d17.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1147_zps1527e204.jpg

 

And it was delicious

 

In Stockholm, in Gamla Stan there is a 7-11 right in the heart of the area

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1276.jpg

 

But the best was in Copenhagen, were we had the best chocolate éclair we have ever eaten

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe409_zps109d3afa.jpg

 

It's all in what you like :D:D:D

 

Cheers

 

Len

[DOJO466]

In Helsinki, you can get excellent food right in Market Square for under $10 for a complete meal.

 

If you are talking about London, you can definitely eat cheaply there if you want fast food or any of a 100 fish and chips places.

 

In most cities you will find a MacDonald's, a Subway, even a Burger King. No matter how much they charge it will always be cheaper than any local restaurants.

 

Again, depending on where you want to eat will determine the price. I'm sure, if you are right in the middle of the Town Square, and everyone is a tourist, the price will be much higher, but a block or two, off the beaten track, you can find local food for a cheaper price.

 

If we are talking a quick lunch or a snack while exploring a port city, you can always take a sandwich off the ship, some snacks etc, you can hit a local ice cream parlor, we found a couple of 7-11's that we went in for a nice cool Slurpee.

 

You can call this cheap or experience, but we brought drinking bottles with us and a folding cooler pack. We filled these bottles up at the breakfast buffet with juice or water and some ice, and we had drinks for a good part of the day.

 

But, as I said, the best inexpensive local food you will find is in Helsinki in Market Square

 

Food is prepared on these huge open grills and pots.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1146-1_zpsa7bd428c.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1145_zpsd6a1c336.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1144_zps90bf5d17.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1147_zps1527e204.jpg

 

And it was delicious

 

In Stockholm, in Gamla Stan there is a 7-11 right in the heart of the area

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe1276.jpg

 

But the best was in Copenhagen, were we had the best chocolate éclair we have ever eaten

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/baltics/europe409_zps109d3afa.jpg

 

It's all in what you like :D:D:D

 

Cheers

 

Len

Oh my, what was the name of the place with the eclairs...love eclairs. Where was it located?

[sverigecruiser]

Is there an Ikea in central Stockholm? It sounds like a good idea to eat there.

 

 

It was many years since I had a Stockholm Card but then public transportation was included and I assume it's the same now. It's easy to get to IKEA, I even think they have a free transportation between IKEA and central Stockholm.

 

For someone with a really tight budget, it can be worth it to go to IKEA.

[Desdichado62]

in Sweden you can also find "Gatukök" which usually have a wide diversity of food

like hotdogs, hamburgers, kebab, tunnbrödrullar (hot dog and mash wrap) and simpler meat dishes.

 

There is supposed to be a pretty good Gatukök called Lilla Gatuköket at Stora Nygatan 21 at Gamla Stan in Stockholm.

 

https://maps.google.se/maps?q=Stora+Nygatan+21.+Stockholm&ll=59.324118,18.069935&spn=0.002558,0.007398&hnear=Stora+Nygatan+21,+111+27+Stockholm&t=h&z=18

 

Sibylla is a typical Gatukök chain.

 

If you want a Swedish alternative BK & McD there is Max.

They have a restaurant in the north east corner of Kungsträdgården:

 

https://maps.google.se/maps?q=max,+Kungstr%C3%A4dg%C3%A5rden&ie=UTF8&ll=59.333802,18.066072&spn=0.014468,0.05918&hq=max,+Kungstr%C3%A4dg%C3%A5rden&radius=15000&t=h&z=15

[disneygal94]

Len, please do tell us where in Copenhagen you got that eclair. I am SO adding that place to my itinerary! It looks delicious!

[NeoVega]

It was many years since I had a Stockholm Card but then public transportation was included and I assume it's the same now. It's easy to get to IKEA, I even think they have a free transportation between IKEA and central Stockholm.

 

For someone with a really tight budget, it can be worth it to go to IKEA.

 

I have a Stockholm card, but will probably use IKEA's free shuttle which departs Central Terminalen on the hour M-F. That way I won't get lost on the way there. Also, we signed up for IKEA's Family Loyalty card which offers other benefits.

 

If we decide to go to IKEA on Saturday, then it will be with Public Transportation.

 

@Desdichado62 Thanks for the tip on Gatukök. We will look for that. I have also heard that there are some Fried Herring stands of that nature in Sodermalm.

 

Originally Posted by sverigecruiser

Since you are in Stockholm during the weekend, you can probably find a decent hotel for under $150 with the breakfast included.

 

The Hostel we are staying at does include a simple breakfast too, and we have a room with private bath for $130. In Gamla Stan. On the water. We are actually looking forward to picking up some Swedish delicacies at a grocery store and preparing it our selves. No McD's, Subway or Burger King for us. We want to be frugal with money and not the experience.

[Desdichado62]

I have a Stockholm card, but will probably use IKEA's free shuttle which departs Central Terminalen on the hour M-F. That way I won't get lost on the way there. Also, we signed up for IKEA's Family Loyalty card which offers other benefits.

 

If we decide to go to IKEA on Saturday, then it will be with Public Transportation.

 

@Desdichado62 Thanks for the tip on Gatukök. We will look for that. I have also heard that there are some Fried Herring stands of that nature in Sodermalm.

 

Yes I think I might have mentioned it before.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.se/Restaurant_Review-g189852-d2201594-Reviews-Nystekt_Stromming-Stockholm.html#mtreview_152768118

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Food-drink/Swedish-culinary-classics/Stekt-stromming/

 

Another really nice breakfast dish is crisp bred (I prefer Leksandsknäcke) with hard boiled and sliced egg, topped with Swedish Kaviar (cod roe).

[hubofhockey]

We're doing the Royal Princess Baltics itinerary next summer. In general, places for lunch don't scare me too much. I noticed that Paris and NY are on that list and you can surely find reasonable places for a quick lunch in either. I suppose the problem is post cruise for Copenhagen, where we would have a couple of nights at hotels and dinners. I was watching a Rick Steves Copenhagen show and he shows a place where young Danes gather outside with beers in bags and just sit and drink and make their own bar/pub. They do this because the beers in bars are ridiculously expensive.

[Danish viking]

If you take the more touristy stuff like Nyhavn you will pay around 50 DKK for a 1/2 beer in the restaurants and cafés at Nyhavn.

 

The more "normal" bars will have beer for around 30-40 DKK.

 

Some of the cheap nightclubs do have free beer when a entrance fee of around 200 DKK is payed.

 

If you want some decent food (aka no burgers, kebabs or pizzas) then go to Jensens Bøfhus (steakhouse) before 16:00 or is it 17:00.

They have a lunch deal if you eat there before that time.

 

They have adresses many places in Copenhagen, at Axeltorv I front of Tivoli and on Strøget behind the big church (halfway up Strøget) are the most centrally located restaurants.

[Danish viking]

Along Strøget you will find a few all you can eat buffets with prices around 100 DKK.

 

I can remember 2 places and they are all located on the first floor so look for a staircase only.

 

There are 2 middle eastern themed buffet restaurants with the same kind of prices located next the Jensens Bøfhus restaurant on Strøget.

[ChattTenn]

Along Strøget you will find a few all you can eat buffets with prices around 100 DKK.

 

I can remember 2 places and they are all located on the first floor so look for a staircase only.

 

There are 2 middle eastern themed buffet restaurants with the same kind of prices located next the Jensens Bøfhus restaurant on Strøget.

 

Yes, there are several buffet places on Stroget. 2 places on the main street and there were more futher down on the left of one side street. We ate at one place last August the food was OK but sodas was very expensive 6 euros for A CLASS OF SODA (no ice / no refill) and 2 euros for class of tap water.

[NeoVega]

Yes I think I might have mentioned it before.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.se/Restaurant_Review-g189852-d2201594-Reviews-Nystekt_Stromming-Stockholm.html#mtreview_152768118

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Food-drink/Swedish-culinary-classics/Stekt-stromming/

 

Another really nice breakfast dish is crisp bred (I prefer Leksandsknäcke) with hard boiled and sliced egg, topped with Swedish Kaviar (cod roe).

 

Yes, the Fried herring is a definite must-try at Nystekt Stromming.

http://renjie-linqiu.blogspot.com/2008/08/fried-herring-and-chokladfabriken-food.html

 

As to the breakfast with hard boiled egg and caviar, mmm. sounds wonderful! I doubt my hostel will offer caviar for breakfast, but I will pick some up at COOP or another local grocery store.

 

I understand that in Sweden you buy caviar in a tube like toothpaste.

http://sauvignon-blog.blogspot.com/2012/05/fly-to-stockholm.html

[sverigecruiser]

Yes, the Fried herring is a definite must-try at Nystekt Stromming.

http://renjie-linqiu.blogspot.com/2008/08/fried-herring-and-chokladfabriken-food.html

 

As to the breakfast with hard boiled egg and caviar, mmm. sounds wonderful! I doubt my hostel will offer caviar for breakfast, but I will pick some up at COOP or another local grocery store.

 

I understand that in Sweden you buy caviar in a tube like toothpaste.

http://sauvignon-blog.blogspot.com/2012/05/fly-to-stockholm.html

 

Go to youtube and look at "Kalles in Tokyo"!

[Danish viking]

Yes, there are several buffet places on Stroget. 2 places on the main street and there were more futher down on the left of one side street. We ate at one place last August the food was OK but sodas was very expensive 6 euros for A CLASS OF SODA (no ice / no refill) and 2 euros for class of tap water.

 

Well the food is cheap so they would charge you more for the soda instead.

But they can't force you to buy anything to drink :D

[kaisatsu]

Here's a link to a T.G.I.Fridays menu in Oslo and the price for a Jack Daniels burger is 129 NOK (or about $22)

http://www.fridays.no/sites/tgifridays.co.uk/files/storemenus/pdfs/Aker%20Brygge%20Lunch%20Menu%20May%202013.pdf

I have been here too long. My first thought when I read this was, "Wow! 129 NOK?! I had no idea TGIFriday's was that cheap!" :o

 

Unfortunately, if 129 NOK for a main dish is expensive, I can't suggest anywhere in Oslo that isn't! You can get a decent vegetarian curry in the train station for around 80 NOK, and a meat dish for around 100. But 120 is pretty much considered cheap for a dish at a sit-down restaurant. Even Burger King tends to cost around 75 NOK for a meal.

 

You can pick up a take-away sandwich from a Deli de Luca for around 50 NOK. Maybe hot dogs are so popular here because they're the most affordable food at around 25 NOK!