NSWP Posted August 13, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 13, 2018 No doubt many of you have got on the HO HO buses around the world. Our last one was in June in Oslo, Norway. Cost was 350 Norweigan Kroner for 2 tickets, that is $120 or $60 each. So I reckon that would be priciest HO HO around? What say ye? I remember not that long ago, paying 20 Euro in places like Barcelona or Rome. Those going to Scandinavia, be warned.:rolleyes: Tickets please !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 13, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Norway is very expensive, the most expensive place I have ever visited, second is Britain and third Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted August 13, 2018 #3 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Guess you didn't have any beer there, or McDonalds. High prices proliferate, one of the highest costing countries in the world. Haven't checked lately, but with labour costs starting from $20/hour, and fuel about $3+ a litre, you can see how the supply costs cause that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 13, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Finland,Sweden and Denmark were not as dear.Around 30 euro and for a few more a harbour,canal or river cruise was included.The same company run them all and they offer a 10% discount on all the following ports,cheers,Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 13, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 13, 2018 As mentioned, the cost of living in Norway is way higher and then adding a currency conversion can make it even more expensive for the tourist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted August 13, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted August 13, 2018 I found all the Scandinavian countries expensive, the Baltics not so. But if you go there you have to go visit the sights. The ships shorex and private tours were also highly priced, even the Brits on board were commenting about high prices for a coffee, double the cost of a 3 quid Costa.:cool: But hey, some cafes in Sydney CBD are charging $5 for a cappucino these days. What is the HO HO bus price in Sydney? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted August 13, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 13, 2018 What is the HO HO bus price in Sydney? Sydney $55Au http://www.sydney.com.au/hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour-sydney-bondi.htm Auckland $45NZ https://www.explorerbus.co.nz/prices/ https://www.explorerbus.co.nz/cruise-ships/ In both cases you can add on combo deals for other attractions/ferries etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 14, 2018 #8 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Oslo was 1 of the ports where we didn't use the HOHO.The only thing I remember is the little café in that park with all the statues ripping everyone off,charging 1 dollar,1 euro or 1 pound to use their toilet,when the free public one was shut.Not impressed at all.When we were in Os in 2013 the pound was about 1.40,and to us it was the most expensive place on earth.The rate is better now.So,Uncle Les,did you find the UK expensive this time around?Living on the outskirts of London and not being rich,I don,t think so.For tourists,places like Westminster Abbey for 25quid,that used to be free when I was a kid,more so maybe,cheers,Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted August 14, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Oslo was 1 of the ports where we didn't use the HOHO.The only thing I remember is the little café in that park with all the statues ripping everyone off,charging 1 dollar,1 euro or 1 pound to use their toilet,when the free public one was shut.Not impressed at all.When we were in Os in 2013 the pound was about 1.40,and to us it was the most expensive place on earth.The rate is better now.So,Uncle Les,did you find the UK expensive this time around?Living on the outskirts of London and not being rich,I don,t think so.For tourists,places like Westminster Abbey for 25quid,that used to be free when I was a kid,more so maybe,cheers,Brian. brian, we spent a few weeks in UK pre post cruises, at Stow in the Wold, Chepstow, Southampton and Huntingdon, mix of Holidays Inns and pubs. I did not find UK any more expensive than Sydney, save for the price of a glass of wine for 8 quid, a fish and chip meal at the pub was also 8 quid. Once you look at the steak menu, 20 quid real easy. But same here, 35 to 40 dollars for a steak, dining out. Many supermarket prices in UK were lower than OZ.:o Vino is way overpriced in UK pubs, hotels, restaurants. Cheap enough in the supermarket like here. I get a glass of drinkable wine at my golf club for around AU$5. But on Princess ships, cheapest bottle of wine US$30, but wine is like petrol, you have to have it. Edited August 14, 2018 by NSWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 14, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Yes, currency differences aside, there are some very expensive places to be. Singapore airport is another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 14, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 14, 2018 brian, we spent a few weeks in UK pre post cruises, at Stow in the Wold, Chepstow, Southampton and Huntingdon, mix of Holidays Inns and pubs. I did not find UK any more expensive than Sydney, save for the price of a glass of wine for 8 quid, a fish and chip meal at the pub was also 8 quid. Once you look at the steak menu, 20 quid real easy. But same here, 35 to 40 dollars for a steak, dining out. Many supermarket prices in UK were lower than OZ.:o Vino is way overpriced in UK pubs, hotels, restaurants. Cheap enough in the supermarket like here. I get a glass of drinkable wine at my golf club for around AU$5. But on Princess ships, cheapest bottle of wine US$30, but wine is like petrol, you have to have it. Try to avoid hotels other than Premier inns,staying at one next week at Gatwick,going to Corfu for our first Marella cruise.Here in Italy,1 litre of prosseco on tap 8-10 euro,bottle of decent plonk 15 euro,free pour LARGE voddy 4 euro.Melt in the mouth fillet steak 16 euro.I don't want to go back,lol.Cheers,Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailco Posted August 14, 2018 #12 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Really agree about the HOHO in Scandinavia. Not just price but availability. We had big issues in Finland where you couldn't jump off to look at stuff without missing all the rest. Not enough buses. Too many potential stops. You really had to choose especially if you wanted to do the included cruise. But, the basic HOHO seems to be undergoing a real change at the moment with the introduction of the iVenture card. We used one recently in Cape Town . A five day pass gave us unlimited HOHO plus full day and half day coach tours and cruises and bonuses at places like the vineyards. We struggled to see and experience all that was on offer but when priced individually we were way ahead of what we paid. I think London has had it for few years and I believe it operates in Sydney and a few other cities too. It looks like the future of HOHO is to be in COMBO :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esilef Posted August 14, 2018 #13 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Switzerland is my favourite place in the world but it's just so expensive. Was looking at the HOHO bus in Rome and that's $40 AUD per adult & $20 per child. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 14, 2018 #14 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Really agree about the HOHO in Scandinavia. Not just price but availability. We had big issues in Finland where you couldn't jump off to look at stuff without missing all the rest. Not enough buses. Too many potential stops. You really had to choose especially if you wanted to do the included cruise. But, the basic HOHO seems to be undergoing a real change at the moment with the introduction of the iVenture card. We used one recently in Cape Town . A five day pass gave us unlimited HOHO plus full day and half day coach tours and cruises and bonuses at places like the vineyards. We struggled to see and experience all that was on offer but when priced individually we were way ahead of what we paid. I think London has had it for few years and I believe it operates in Sydney and a few other cities too. It looks like the future of HOHO is to be in COMBO :) We had a 2day pass in May.We used the buses like taxis from the hotel to and from the V&A and the cable car.V&A waterfront reminded me of pier 39 in San Francisco,very reasonably priced meals there.Cheers,Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted August 14, 2018 #15 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Pretty normal for toilets to be charged for in Europe. Just the way things are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 14, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Spending a penny now costs a euro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted August 15, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Try to avoid hotels other than Premier inns,staying at one next week at Gatwick,going to Corfu for our first Marella cruise.Here in Italy,1 litre of prosseco on tap 8-10 euro,bottle of decent plonk 15 euro,free pour LARGE voddy 4 euro.Melt in the mouth fillet steak 16 euro.I don't want to go back,lol.Cheers,Brian. Yes Premier Inns in UK, often a good deal. Like when we arrived at Heathrow got the new PI at Terminal 4 for 48 quid a night. Stayed in many of them all over UK. OK for a couple of nights and always an eatery within or next door at good prices. Get the meal deal, breakfast and dinner with your room.:halo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted August 15, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Pretty normal for toilets to be charged for in Europe. Just the way things are there. Yes, been like that for years, I remember back to 1997 on our 4 week Trafalgar European Coach Tour, the 'dragon ladies' guarding the toilet doors, no pay, no enter. A good tour guide would often have change to give out for toilet fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 15, 2018 #19 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Pretty normal for toilets to be charged for in Europe. Just the way things are there. Wrong in this case,just a scam between the café owner and the parkie.The parkie locking the free bogs,when us 3000 mugs sail into town.The yanks got the best deal as usual,1 dollar a go,us Brits drew the short straw again,lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian1 Posted August 15, 2018 #20 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Yes Premier Inns in UK, often a good deal. Like when we arrived at Heathrow got the new PI at Terminal 4 for 48 quid a night. Stayed in many of them all over UK. OK for a couple of nights and always an eatery within or next door at good prices. Get the meal deal, breakfast and dinner with your room.:halo: We stayed at that one in April.Always too early for breakfast,cos of early flights.Good value dinners and reasonable wine prices,cheers,Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lyndarra Posted August 15, 2018 #21 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Yes, been like that for years, I remember back to 1997 on our 4 week Trafalgar European Coach Tour, the 'dragon ladies' guarding the toilet doors, no pay, no enter. A good tour guide would often have change to give out for toilet fees. Likewise on a Cosmos trip we did in 1997. Even had to pay for t/paper as you went in. Still the same last May. Also, if in London, always carry 50p if you need to p. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted August 15, 2018 #22 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Wrong in this case,just a scam between the café owner and the parkie.The parkie locking the free bogs,when us 3000 mugs sail into town.The yanks got the best deal as usual,1 dollar a go,us Brits drew the short straw again,lol. No, it's right. What would even be the point of locking free toilets if they run them free. Defeats the purpose. Just get used to paying for toilets in Europe, and consider yourself lucky if you find a free one available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted August 15, 2018 #23 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Venice had 1 euro coin operated turnstiles to even get into the anti chamber before going left or right for the men's or women's toilets and Bergen had coin operated doors for the toilets but they were NOK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted August 16, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted August 16, 2018 No, it's right. What would even be the point of locking free toilets if they run them free. Defeats the purpose. Just get used to paying for toilets in Europe, and consider yourself lucky if you find a free one available. The local government person responsible for toilets would unlawfully lock them and corruptly accept a donation from the café/restaurant charging tourists a fee to p, if you know what I mean.:o Anyway back to the topic, it appears HO HO bus prices have increased world wide with $55 quoted for Sydney, but that is a 24 hour pass. Our Oslo one for $60 each was for a 1.5 hour loop ride only , then off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cheznandy Posted August 16, 2018 #25 Share Posted August 16, 2018 I purchased Big Bus for Hong Kong at $74.50USD online.........and Busan Jumbo Bus for $14 AUD, big difference!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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