We’ve all felt the quiet panic of watching a travel budget evaporate after a single day of taxis, tourist-trap lunches and overpriced coffees.
Heavyweights like London, Paris, New York, Singapore, and Sydney earn their pricey reputations, but a high price tag only hurts if you pay full price.
The truth is, the most immersive ways to experience these iconic destinations are often the cheapest - you just have to stop travelling like you need to pay for every single minute of your holiday.
One minute you are admiring the skyline, and the next you have paid for a taxi, an attraction, an overpriced lunch and a coffee that somehow costs more than dinner back home.
But the high price tags of these cities don't mean you have to experience them at full price.
Visiting an expensive city does not necessarily mean spending a fortune. In fact, some of the best ways to experience a destination can be among the cheapest.
The trick is to stop travelling as though you have to pay for every experience.
Walk as much as possible
One of the easiest ways to save money is also one of the simplest: walk.
Cities such as Paris and London are incredibly walkable, and exploring on foot allows you to see neighbourhoods and streets that you might miss from the back seat of a taxi.
Instead of jumping into an Uber every time you want to move between attractions, look at what is within walking distance. You may discover a neighbourhood café, market or hidden square along the way.
Walking also turns getting from A to B into part of the holiday.
Make public transport your friend
When walking isn’t practical, use public transport.
New York’s subway, London’s Tube, Paris’s Metro and Singapore’s MRT can take you across the city for a fraction of what you would spend on taxis or private transfers.
Before travelling, investigate daily or weekly travel passes and fare caps. These can make a significant difference if you are using public transport several times a day.
In Sydney, even the ferry can double as sightseeing, allowing you to enjoy the city’s waterfront views while getting to where you need to go.
Eat where the locals eat
Food can quickly become one of the biggest expenses on a city break, particularly if you eat every meal in tourist hotspots.
Instead, seek out neighbourhood markets, food halls, bakeries, hawker centres and casual restaurants.
In Singapore, hawker centres offer an opportunity to eat like a local without paying restaurant prices. In London, markets such as Brick Lane and Borough Market offer plenty of options for different budgets.
The same principle applies almost anywhere: move away from the most tourist-heavy streets and you will often find better value.
Look for free attractions
You don’t have to pay an entrance fee to have a memorable day.
New York’s Central Park can fill an entire afternoon without costing anything. London is home to several major museums with free general admission, while Paris can be enjoyed simply by wandering its neighbourhoods, parks and streets.
Before your trip, make a list of the city’s free attractions. You may be surprised by how much you can see without opening your wallet.
Combine transport with sightseeing
One clever way to stretch your budget is to make one expense do two jobs.
Instead of paying for a separate sightseeing tour, consider options that also get you around the city.
A ferry can become a scenic tour. A hop-on-hop-off bus can double as transport and sightseeing. In Paris, a river shuttle can provide views of major landmarks while moving you along the Seine.
This means you are not paying separately for transportation and entertainment.
Don’t try to see everything
Perhaps the biggest mistake is trying to cram everything into one trip.
Expensive cities are usually large, and attempting to tick off every landmark can mean spending more on transport, tours, meals and entrance fees.
Choose a few things you really want to experience and leave room for the unexpected.
After all, some of the best travel memories cost very little: sitting in a public square, watching people go by, wandering through a neighbourhood or having a conversation with a local.
An expensive city will always have expensive options. The trick is remembering that you don’t have to choose them.
With a little planning, public transport, plenty of walking and a willingness to experience the city as locals do, even some of the world’s most expensive destinations can feel surprisingly affordable.
zamandosi.cele@inl.co.za