Cities around the world can offer different attractions, cuisine, culture, and vastly disparate cost of living. The Independent evaluated what an evening out for two costs in several tourist cities. Whether you are an expat trying to cope with high cost of living, or wanting to visit one of these top spots, check out the list and learn how to cope with the high cost of going out on the town.

Most Expensive Cities for a Night Out

1. London, England

A city that consistently tops the list as one of the most expensive cities to live also tops the list for a night out. Going out costs are three times a night out in a cheaper city with astronomic hotel costs one of the defining factors.

Costs:
Hotel: £230.39
Return taxi trip: £22.20
Cocktails for two: £25.00
Dinner for two: £52.86
Total cost: £330.45

2. Oslo, Norway

Europe ranks on top, especially the pricey Scandinavian region. The region has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Europe.

Costs:
Hotel: £140.11
Return taxi trip: £33.46
Cocktails for two: £23.59
Dinner for two: £122.46
Total cost: £319.62

3. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is a leading global city with a high saturation of banks. The city receives high scores for work, housing, leisure, education and safety and is one of the most expensive city in the world.

Costs:
Hotel: £186.02
Return taxi trip: £24.17
Cocktails for two: £17.30
Dinner for two: £82.57
Total cost: £310.06

4. Paris, France

Paris is the power house of France's extremely diverse economy. The Paris urban area contributes nearly half of the Paris Region's GDP and and offers the fifth-largest GDP in the world. If Paris were a country, it would rank as the seventeenth-largest economy in the world.

Costs:
Hotel: £195.40
Return taxi trip: £9.63
Cocktails for two: £36.75
Dinner for two: £64.98
Total cost: £306.76

5. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is at the heart of Sweden's economic life. Almost half of Sweden's businesses have their headquarters in Stockholm with a large - and expensive - service industry.

Costs:
Hotel: £139.34
Return taxi trip: £30.33
Cocktails for two: £22.48
Dinner for two: £110.31
Total cost: £302.46

6. New York City, USA

NYC has the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world at $14.3 trillion. Everything in the city costs a lot as the very ground is among the most valuable in the world.

Costs:
Hotel: £217.64
Return taxi trip: £9.56
Cocktails for two: £20.40
Dinner for two: £43.28
Total cost: £290.89

7. Moscow, Russia

Moscow is the home to billionaires and is one of the world's most expensive cities for foreign employees.

Costs:
Hotel: £156.69
Return taxi trip: £9.15
Cocktails for two: £27.85
Dinner for two: £80.49
Total cost: £274.17

8. Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark's successful economy, low unemployment, and excellent working conditions allow for a high standard of living. This has resulted in a high cost of living for goods and services.

Costs:
Hotel: £144.71
Return taxi trip: £13.83
Cocktails for two: £25.82
Dinner for two: £88.15
Total cost: £272.51

9. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is the economic and financial capital of the country. More than half of the head offices of the Australian companies and the most important banks are located in Sydney.

Costs:
Hotel: £110.20
Return taxi trip: £12.53
Cocktails for two: £27.59
Dinner for two: £99.72
Total cost: £250.04

10. Singapore

Singapore has a flourishing, highly developed free market economy. It has one of the highest per capita gross domestic products (GDP) in the world .

Costs:
Hotel: £148.52
Return taxi trip: £4.20
Cocktails for two: £21.94
Dinner for two: £64.29
Total cost: £238.96

Least Expensive Cities for a Night Out

1. Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi offers the most affordable night. Southeast Asia is featured heavily in the cheapest destinations.

Costs:
Hotel: £54.08
Return taxi trip: £3.16
Cocktails for two: £14.39
Dinner for two: £18.31
Total cost: £89.93

2. Beijing, China

Beijing is amongst the most developed cities in China. It was the first post industrial city in mainland China. It's contribution to the country's industry accounts for 73.2 percent of the total GDP, but costs remain low compared to other world cities.

Costs:
Hotel: £67.72
Return taxi trip: £1.09
Cocktails for two: £15.07
Dinner for two: £17.48
Total cost: £101.37

3. Bangkok, Thailand

One of the cheapest average hotel prices and a low price for partying hard.

Costs:
Hotel: £51.68
Return taxi trip: £1.30
Cocktails for two: £6.05
Dinner for two: £44.35
Total cost: £103.38

4. Budapest, Hungary

This capitol of Eastern European culture offers high culture for low price. Rapidly becoming a world destination, the city still caters to budget travelers and luxury seekers.

Costs:
Hotel: £66.58
Return taxi trip: £6.25
Cocktails for two: £22.96
Dinner for two: £27.54
Total cost: £123.32

5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The economy of Malaysia is a growing and relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialized market economy. The Southeast Asian nation has experienced an economic boom and the economic record is one of Asia's best.

Costs:
Hotel: £72.32
Return taxi trip: £2.34
Cocktails for two: £12.54
Dinner for two: £36.67
Total cost: £123.86

6. Warsaw, Poland

The city is Poland's highest performing economy with the lowest unemployment. However, it is still much less expensive than its westerly neighbors.

Costs:
Hotel: £69.66
Return taxi trip: £7.90
Cocktails for two: £7.72
Dinner for two: £42.03
Total cost: £127.30

7. Taipei, Taiwan

The capital of the RoC is at the center of Taiwan's rapid economic development. Tourism is a growing sector with an increasing number of international visitors.

Costs:
Hotel: £90.31
Return taxi trip: £2.35
Cocktails for two: £12.54
Dinner for two: £16.79
Total cost: £129.70

8. Sofia, Bulgaria

The currency of the country is the lev which is the strongest and most stable currency in Eastern Europe.

Costs:
Hotel: £74.08
Return taxi trip: £2.18
Cocktails for two: £26.18
Dinner for two: £29.94
Total cost: £132.38

9. Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta's economy depends heavily on financial service, trade, and manufacturing. It's bustling economy is still growing, but costs remain low.

Costs:
Hotel: £140.11
Return taxi trip: £2.97
Cocktails for two: £13.74
Dinner for two: £40.16
Total cost: £136.02

10. Tunis, Tunisia

Tunisia is in the process of economic reform and liberalization. There has been slow, sustained growth with the country ranking first in Africa.

Costs:
Hotel: £96.31
Return taxi trip: £3.35
Cocktails for two: £6.38
Dinner for two: £32.16
Total cost: £138.19

Calculation

To formulate this list, the TripAdvisor TripIndex was used to calculate the costs for two people to stay one night in a four-star hotel, cocktails, a two-course dinner with a bottle of wine, and taxi fares. Hotel costs were the pivotal factor in determining the cheapest and most expensive cities on TripIndex.

How to Have Fun for Free

A small budget doesn't mean you have to stay in - even in the most expensive cities. Summer is the prefect time to keep a night out, low cost. Here are some of our top ideas.

• Picnic - The Picnic is a popular idea with many variations. Buy local specialties like cheese & wine, and wander a beautiful setting like botanical gardens, parks, or .
• Attend a Lecture or Reading - Enrich your mind in a scholarly setting. Look at the even schedules at your local library, museum, or art gallery.
• Art Night Out - Many cities host a free gallery night where wine and snacks are on offer and people gather to talk about art and culture. In addition, some traditionally expensive cities like London offer free entrance to state museums.
• Walk a University Campus - Almost every city has at least one. The grounds are usually immaculate, the place has a history paired with a young vibe, and discount restaurants, cafes, and bars have to be in the vicinity.
• Go to the Library - Not only do libraries have great resources of books, movies, and music, many host classes, events and lectures.
• Get involved in Community Sports - Whether you prefer to play or watch, local games are usually easy to get involved in and low cost. Ask at games if you can participate or volunteer.
• Take a Picture - Taking pictures is an art form, and whether you just want to capture the moment or practice your craft, picture taking is rewarding. Share your photos on social media sites like Flickr or Facebook.
• Read - Whether you prefer guide books, fiction, or non-fiction, reading is always a good idea and can help you connect with the place around you. Look for expat memoirs, stories set in your area, or try your hand at writing your own story.
• Cook - Moving abroad can open you up to a whole new world of food possibilities. See what gets cooked locally and try making your favorites at home.
• Learn local Games - Learn new games in your new surroundings. Card games are common across cultures, but come in different varieties in different countries.
• Meet your Neighbors - Your neighbors can be an excellent resource in getting to know a new place and can help you integrate. Introduce yourself and expand your social circle. If you prefer to connect online, try meeting expats on EasyExpat's forum or network, or connect with the vibrant community abroad on Twitter.
• Go Swimming - Summer calls for locals to take to the water. River, lake, sea, or gulf -  find some water and get in it!
• Start a Blog - Expats and Travelers have a built in topic to talk about. Blogging is easy, and helps you commemorate events in your life as well as connect with others. Add your expat blog to the BlogExpat directory for readers to find your story.

Have more ideas? Share them below in the comment section.

Expats in Cities with High Cost of Living

To formulate a plan for living in a city with a high cost of living, refer to our article, "How to Live in a City with a High Cost of Living".

Recommended Partners