Times when traveling abroad might be cheaper than U.S. travel

Prices vary based on many factors, including taxes, regulations, exchange rates and demand. However, savvy travelers quickly learn that some destinations are cheaper than others.

Many Americans saw these pricing differences play out for Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour.” Tickets for shows in some South American and European destinations were significantly cheaper than in the U.S., leading some Swifties to fly to other countries for a show.

But this phenomenon isn’t limited to Swifties or even concerts. Here are five times when traveling abroad might be cheaper than staying close to home.

Concerts

Concert tickets aren’t always significantly cheaper abroad. Sometimes, tickets are more expensive in less-developed destinations because the logistics — ranging from lighting and sound systems to crowd control and security — are more difficult.

However, as Swifties learned for “The Eras Tour,” some countries have reselling rules that let you purchase resale tickets at or near original prices. Our team found resale tickets for “The Eras Tour” in some European cities starting as low as $100 — significantly less expensive than many U.S. shows.

TPG’s Gabe Travers saw Dua Lipa in Bologna, Italy, in 2022, and he paid under 60 euros (about $65) apiece for floor tickets. He’d also seen that tour in the U.S. — paying much more and getting a worse view. However, he said that seeing her in Italy “was a great excuse to explore a city we didn’t necessarily have on our itinerary, but it ended up being one of our favorite stops of the trip.”

I travel to at least a few concerts each year to see some of my favorite electronic music producers. My first show abroad was a 2015 Above & Beyond show in Johannesburg, which I followed with time in Kruger National Park and Cape Town. Since then, I’ve seen Above & Beyond in Hong Kong, New York City, Los Angeles and many other cities. I’m even traveling to Mexico City later this year for another show.

Some music festivals with international versions may also be a good opportunity to save money by traveling abroad. For example, Electric Daisy Carnival Mexico tickets are usually significantly less expensive than the Orlando and Las Vegas versions. Other expenses, including lodging, food and transit, will also likely be less expensive in Mexico City. Flights to Mexico City might even be less expensive than flights to Orlando or Las Vegas for some travelers.

Related: The best credit cards for concert tickets and VIP access

Skiing

Even if you seek out cheap ways to ski in the U.S., it’s still far from inexpensive. TPG’s Summer Hull spent $322.55 per person on a budget ski trip last winter despite specifically trying to minimize her family’s costs.

It’s indisputable that skiing is cheaper in many international destinations. For example, a filling meal on the mountain at Niseko Annupuri in Japan costs less than $10 per person, a day ski pass costs about $43, and a daily ski set rental costs about $42. You can find lodging within a short bus ride of the resort for around $150 per night. Best of all, you can find some inexpensive award flights to Japan that might not cost you much more than a domestic award.

If Japan seems far away, you might save money by heading to Europe or Canada to ski. For example, a one-day lift pass in Bansko, Bulgaria, costs around $33, and you can find many inexpensive lodging options in Bansko.

TPG’s Gabrielle Bernardini found a ski trip to Canada last winter that cost less than her previous trips to ski in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Here’s how her expenses compared:

• Flights: In February 2024, round-trip flights from Fort Lauderdale to Alberta on WestJet cost her $250 per person. On previous ski trips to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, she’d paid between $350 and $500 per person for round-trip flights.
• Hotel: She used points for a four-night stay at Blackstone Mountain Lodge in Canmore, Canada, which would have cost about $160 per night. This location was outside Banff and about an hour from Lake Louise ski mountain. In comparison, she’d usually pay at least $200 per night for a basic hotel room during ski season in the western U.S.
• Car rental: Her five-day car rental in Canada cost $136 all-in, while she’s paid $534 for a five-day rental in Denver during ski season.
• Lift tickets: She paid $112 for a one-day pass in Canada, while lift tickets can cost $200 or more for popular mountains in Colorado and Utah. For example, a one-day adult lift ticket for Park City, Utah, is $242.

If you have one of the major ski passes, you may find it covers lift passes for some international destinations. For example, my Ikon ski pass covers my lift tickets at select resorts in the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Chile. This pass, combined with points and miles I can use for flights and lodging in expensive destinations, makes skiing a slightly more affordable hobby.

Related: How to plan your ski trip with points and miles

Disney

I didn’t understand the hype of visiting overseas Disney parks until visiting Tokyo Disney earlier this year (and then returning for a preview of the new Fantasy Springs port at Tokyo DisneySea last month). I enjoy visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, but I figured my time overseas was better spent experiencing local culture and sites.

My view has since shifted, and I now recommend that Disney lovers spend at least a day at DisneySea when visiting Tokyo. Visiting Tokyo Disney offers a unique look into Japanese culture, but part of my reasoning certainly ties into the fact that Tokyo Disney is surprisingly affordable.

One-day tickets start around $54 (less than half of what you’ll typically need to pay for a day at Disney World in Florida), counter-service meals start around $6 and popcorn costs around $2.50. The hotels along the monorail — such as Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta and Hilton Tokyo Bay — are rather pricey. However, I’ve stayed at the Category 3 Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay twice and found the hotel’s complimentary bus service to both Tokyo Disney parks works well.

As I showed above, award flights between the U.S. and Japan can be modestly priced. But Tokyo Disney isn’t the only international Disney park; there’s also Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, though, Tokyo Disney is a great option.

Related: How to save money at Disney so you don’t go ‘bibbidi-bobbidi-broke’

Luxury hotels

I often write about how points and miles can let you stay at luxury hotels for a fraction of the cost. But, simply visiting a destination where prices are lower and the dollar goes further can also let you enjoy luxury hotels without breaking the bank.

For example, as Gabrielle noted when discussing her ski trip, finding a basic hotel in Colorado or Utah for less than $200 per night in ski season can be difficult. That same $200 could easily get you a night at the Park Hyatt Chennai in India on most dates; on expensive dates, you could redeem 3,500 to 6,500 points per night at this Hyatt Category 1 hotel.

So, if you want that luxury hotel experience for less, it could make sense to visit an international destination where you can book luxury hotels at budget prices.

Related: 5 places where your dollars will go further right now

Medical treatment

Finally, you might be tempted to travel abroad for elective or non-urgent medical care if the prices are significantly cheaper than at home. For example, women might want to go abroad to freeze their eggs or give birth if the cost is a fraction of what it would cost them in the U.S. You also might seek out dental treatment, plastic surgery, hair treatments, medications or vaccinations abroad if doing so is much cheaper than in the U.S.

In some cases, you might be able to pay for round-trip flights, a two-week hotel stay, your treatment and more for less than your out-of-pocket cost if you stayed in the U.S. Of course, the standard of care, procedures and facilities may be different from what you’re used to, so ensure you’re comfortable with the process before booking your trip.

Bottom line

After spending time abroad, I often have sticker shock when I return to the U.S. Food, medical treatment, experiences and hotels are all often more expensive once I’m back home.

So, although I love the comfort and familiarity of skiing in Colorado and visiting Disney World in Florida, the cost savings and unique cultural experiences I can enjoy abroad are compelling. If you’re traveling with a group or family, the cost savings may add up — especially if you can book a flight deal or leverage your points and miles to get to your destination at a modest cost.