Swedes prefer to travel here this winter – and so much cheaper is it
When winter is at its darkest, many Swedes choose to travel to the sun. For Northern Europeans, light and warmth require a longer journey, often to other time zones. But once there, a financial bonus awaits: restaurant visits, taxi rides and excursions can cost up to 75 percent less than in Sweden. This is shown by this year's FOREX Winter Travel Index, which compares the price level of Swedes' ten most popular winter destinations.
This winter, Egyptian Hurghada (index 26) and Phuket (40) in Thailand, where holiday costs are a quarter and 60% respectively compared to Sweden, while Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (61) and Cancún (71) in Mexico also offer a stay for less money. The slightly more nearby Canary Islands (85-95) are around 5-15% cheaper.
"The krona has strengthened somewhat against several currencies since last winter, which is noticeable in the wallet. A convenient way to keep track of your travel funds and get the most out of it is to have cash with you. Also having a card is good for flexibility and security," says Niklas Lydahl, COO at FOREX.
Hurghada on the Red Sea is a popular destination for snorkeling with its crystal clear waters. A half-day excursion costs about SEK 300–450, and payment is often made in cash when booking on site. Since four out of five payments in Egypt are made in cash, it is recommended to have banknotes on hand. Since it is only allowed to bring in or withdraw a maximum of 5,000 Egyptian pounds (EGP) – equivalent to just under a thousand Swedish kronor – the US dollar (USD) and euro (EUR) are used as alternative currencies.
"Before traveling to certain countries, the travel fund requires a little extra planning. Our knowledgeable employees always have up-to-date information about availability and can advise on alternative currencies for your destination if necessary," says Niklas Lydahl.
Sal (50) in Cape Verde offers sun and swimming in combination with culture, music and nature experiences. This winter, prices in the island nation are 50% lower than at home. Since the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) has limited availability outside the country's borders, the euro (EUR) is used as an alternative currency. If you want to withdraw escudos on site, you avoid a cash withdrawal fee with a FOREX Credit Card when you are outside the EU/EEA. The card also does not charge a currency surcharge on purchases.
"With a well-planned combination of currencies and means of payment, you can focus on enjoying the holiday and experiencing everything the destination has to offer, instead of spending time on practical details," says Niklas Lydahl.
FOREX Winter Travel Index* 2025
|
DESTINATION |
INDEX |
|
Hurghada (Egypt) |
26 |
|
Phuket (Thailand) |
40 |
|
Hall (Cape Verde) |
50 |
|
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) |
61 |
|
Cancún (Mexico) |
71 |
|
Gran Canaria (Spain) |
85 |
|
Fuerteventura (Spain) |
85 |
|
Tenerife (Spain) |
90 |
|
Lanzarote (Spain) |
95 |
|
Sweden |
100 |
|
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) |
101 |
To the FOREX Winter Travel Index
* The FOREX Winter Price Index is a guide that shows average price levels in popular winter destinations compared to Sweden. The index is based on data from open sources (e.g. Numbeo, BudgetYourTrip, Trivago, Booking.com and GetYourGuide) and refers to december 202 5-Mar s 2026. Prices are basedon a basketof 3-star hotels, restaurant meals, taxis and activities. The index reflects average levels – actual costs may vary depending on travel dates, hotel standards, seasonal peaks and individual choices.