Getting from point A to point B is only part of the equation now. In the face of the dollar's declining value against foreign currencies, there can be a bit of sticker shock while traveling. To demonstrate where you can get the most bang for your buck, this monthly index compares the costs of common consumer goods around the globe. Conversions are calculated using www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi.
Fez, Morocco (Source: Moroccan Tourist Office; www.visitmorocco.com)
- Daily newspaper: 36¢-48¢
- Cab fare: $1.21-$1.81
- Cup of regular coffee: 97¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Special Flag, 97¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $12.11-$36.34
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $24.23
- $1 = 8.25 Morocco Dirhams
Guangzhou, China (Source: China National Tourist Office; www.cnto.org)
- Daily newspaper: 14¢
- Subway fare: 29¢
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.92-$11.71
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Tsingtao Beer, 29¢-58¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $87.58
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $8.78-$14.64
- $1 = 6.82 Chinese Yuan
Fargo, North Dakota (Source: North Dakota Tourism; www.ndtourism.com)
- Daily newspaper: $1.50
- Bus fare: $1.25
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.08
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Budweiser, $3.50
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $75-$85
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $30
Luang Prabang, Laos (Source: Netherlands Development Organization; www.snvworld.org)
- Daily newspaper: 53¢
- Minibus/Taxi fare: $1.18-$5.90
- Cup of regular coffee: 94¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Beer Lao, $1.18
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $50
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $10.04
- $1 = 8,462 Laos Kips
Santa Fe, New Mexico (Source: Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau; www.santafe.org)
- Daily newspaper: 50¢
- Bus fare: $1
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.99
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Santa Fe Brewery, $4.25
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $176
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $30
Ljubljana, Slovenia (Source: Slovenia Tourist Board; www.slovenia.info)
- Daily newspaper: $1.49
- Bus fare: $1.35
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.19
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Union, $3.66
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $131.61
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $21.03-$22.38
- $1 = €73
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (Source: Trinidad & Tobago Development Company; www.gotrinidadandtobago.com)
- Daily newspaper: 31¢
- Bus fare: 94¢
- Cup of regular coffee: 94¢
- Bottle of local beer in a bar: Carib, 94¢
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $188.53
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $29.85-$41.63
- $1 = 6.36 Trinidad and Tobago Dollars
Sherbrooke, Quebec (Source: Tourism Quebec; www.bonjourquebec.com)
- Daily newspaper: 80¢
- Bus fare: $3.10
- Cup of regular coffee: $1.75
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Moose Head, $5.97
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $135
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $19.25
- $1 = C$1
Torshavn, Faroe Islands (Source: Tourism Faroe Islands; www.visitfaroeislands.com)
- Daily newspaper: $3.65
- Bus fare: Free in town; $5.46 and up for buses between villages
- Cup of regular coffee: $2.73-$3.64
- Pint of local beer in a bar: Føroya Bjór, $9.11
- Moderate, three-star hotel room for two: $164
- Moderate, three-course meal for one, without alcohol or tip: $61.97-$78.37
- $1 = 5.48 Danish Kroner