REVEALED: The American hotspots where the cost of vacationing has increased the most

The American hotspots where the cost of vacationing has increased the most have been revealed, with the most expensive place setting visitors back more than $400 a day on average.

Las Vegas emerged as the destination which has seen the greatest increase in vacationing costs with a 47 percent increase in hotel prices over the last five years.

Accommodation typically now costs travelers around $252 per night.

The Nevada city also saw the price of car rentals jump by more than 60 percent to $77, while food costs were around $100 a day in 2023 according to Forbes Advisor.

The outlet ranked the 75 largest cities in the US on nine weighted metrics.

It found that Tucson, Arizona was the hotspot with the second largest increase in vacation costs.

The foodie town, which was the first to receive the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation in the U.S. saw huge price hikes for food and drinks and was 13th on the list nationwide in this category.

Accommodation costs saw the greatest increase, rising by nearly a third while car rental costs surged by 15 percent to $53 a day. 

Domestic flights to Tucson reduced compared to 2019, but round trip airfare still comes in at around $449 per person as of Q3 2023. 

The Californian capital Sacramento also reported huge inflation in the price of a vacation.

It experienced the greatest increase in car rentals at 37 percent to a daily cost of around $58.42 per day.

Tucson, Arizona was the hotspot with the second largest increase in vacation costs

Hotels cost almost $200 per night and three meals a day came in at an average cost of  $104 a day.

The Louisiana city of New Orleans and Texas’ San Antonio rounded out the top five  cities which experienced the greatest increase in travel costs.

However, Michigan’s Grand Rapids saw the highest price increase in meal prices, rising by an eyewatering 37 percent.

While inflation is continuing to pinch the whole country, not all cities are being affected equally. 

In fact vacationers looking for a bargain should head to Indianapolis where the cost of food, car rentals and airfare all dropped over the last five years.

The city saw the biggest drop in meal prices of anywhere in the country, shrinking by almost a quarter.

Flights were twelve percent cheaper last year than in 2019, while the cost of car rentals slumped by six percent.

The Californian capital Sacramento also reported huge inflation in the price of a vacation

Accommodation costs saw a slight bump of 2.25 percent to an average cost of $165.69 per night. 

The others making up the top five cities with the smallest travel cost hikes were Oakland in California, Dayton in Ohio, Houston in Texas and Kansas City in Missouri.

Across the board, domestic flights have skyrocketed in cost to an average of $384 as of the end of last year.

For those looking to snap up a bargain getaway, Forbes advises using classic money-saving tactics such as comparison shopping for flights, hotels and car rental.

Flexibility on travel dates and the exact neighborhood you stay in can also help cut costs, according to the outlet. 

Meanwhile, reward credit cards which earn points or miles can be used to secure benefits such as free meals, lounge access or an extra night’s stay.

Typically cards with a membership fee offer the greatest benefits, but even those with below average credit scores can secure affordable getaways.