A tourist boat passes over cowboy statues along the Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City. Western heritage is a major attraction in the capital of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ready to go on vacation after the long drought of the pandemic era, but don’t want to end the process?
The ParkSleepFly online airport parking platform has ranked the cheapest and least affordable options of the 51 U.S. destinations for tourists, weighing six metrics ranging from the average price of a beer to at the typical cost of overnight accommodation.
The capital of Oklahoma, the so-called Oklahoma City, reached No. 1 in ParkSleepFly, with a score of 8.58 out of a possible 10. Thanks to great deals like beers for only $ 3, $ 11.50 for food at the restaurant and $ 106 for a hotel room, “Oklahoma City tourists could extend their vacation nearly three times longer than if they visit New York for the same price,” said ParkSleepFly CEO Martin Jones.
“Despite not being at the top of most people’s depository list, Oklahoma City is a great place to visit,” Jones added, noting that rollers, horseback riding and ropes and cattle ranching they are popular local activities, among others, more fun, more obviously, urban. “Known for its cowboy culture, the city is a must-see for tourists who want to experience the Old West.”
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Speaking of the Old West, three Texas cities (San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth) ranked in the top 10 in terms of affordability, ranking fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Other affordable destinations (in descending order of affordability) included Indianapolis, Indiana, at No. 2; Tucson, Arizona (3); Memphis, Tennessee (4); Louisville, Kentucky (8); Orlando, Florida (9); and Raleigh, North Carolina (10).
Which cities should you avoid to avoid high vacation costs? No surprises, Jones said. The five most expensive destinations in the United States include, at No. 1, New York City (in general) and at No. 4, its constituent district of Brooklyn. Affordability scores were only 2.56 and 3.76, respectively, of 10.
The Big Apple, all in all, is the most expensive in 4 of the 6 metrics examined: beer ($ 7.81), bottle of wine ($ 15), food in the restaurant ($ 20), and hotel stay (309 dollars per night). These prices are double or triple those found in Oklahoma City.
According to the study, the second most expensive is San Francisco, followed by Boston at No. 3. Philadelphia completes the top five most expensive places for visitors.
“Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, such as New York and San Francisco, are surprisingly the most expensive destinations to stay in,” Jones said. “However, if you are planning an upcoming trip, there are several ways to reduce costs during your stay.”
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New York City and its Brooklyn district are among the most expensive destinations in the United States. In the picture, the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan.
Tim Robberts | Getty Images
Jones tips for saving money during the holidays, regardless of your destination, include:
- Choose alternative accommodations: “Sharing time or Airbnb can be a great way to cut costs the next vacation in the United States. If you’re willing to give up some luxury (and privacy), hostels can be a great way to save money. “
- Dinner at: “Staying in a self-catering accommodation can also save you money on food and drink. While eating in the restaurant is a big part of your holiday experiences, try cooking and eating in your accommodation at least two meals a day to save a few bucks. “
- Take public transportation or walk: “Choosing public transportation can save you a lot of money. Alternatively, exploring your destination on foot is not only a good way to save money, but one of the best ways to really experience a city.”
- Visit free attractions: “You don’t have to spend a lot to see the sights of the city you visit. In fact, all the more expensive destinations on our list have a lot to see and do at no cost.”
ParkSleepFly, an online platform where travelers can book one- or two-night hotel deals that include long-term parking privileges and an airport shuttle service (instead of traditional parking arrangements at airport), ranks 51 U.S. cities based on the following factors, a standardized score of 10 for each factor, before averaging across all criteria to obtain a final affordability score of 10:
- Cost of a 0.5 liter national keg beer;
- Cost of a mid-range wine bottle;
- Cost of a meal at a budget restaurant;
- Average fare for a 1-mile taxi;
- Cost of a one-way ticket on local public transport; i
- Cost of a weekend night stay at a hotel.
According to ParkSleepFly, all prices come from Numbeo’s cost-of-living index, except for night hotel prices, which come from Kayak and are calculated based on the average price on Friday and Saturday nights during the two weeks ending. on August 12, 2021.