When winter is at its darkest, many Swedes and Northern Europeans choose to travel to warmer latitudes, often to other time zones – but once there, an extra bonus awaits. Restaurant visits, taxis and excursions can cost up to 75 percent less than at home. This is shown by the FOREX Winter Travel Index, which compares price levels at the ten most popular winter destinations for Swedes.
This winter, you get the most for your money in Hurghada (index 26) and Phuket (40), where holiday costs are a quarter and 60 % respectively compared to Sweden. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (61) and Cancún in Mexico (71) also offer a stay for less money. The slightly closer Canary Islands (85–95) are around 5–15 % cheaper.
– The krone has strengthened against several currencies since last winter. So the travel budget will be somewhat larger, and a convenient way to keep track and get the most out of it is to bring cash. Also bringing 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 between 300 and 450 SEK, 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 out a maximum of 5,000 Egyptian pounds (EGP) – equivalent to just under one thousand Swedish kronor – American dollars (USD) and euros (EUR) are used as alternative currencies.
– Before traveling to certain countries, your travel budget 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, says Niklas Lydahl.
Sal (50) in Cape Verde offers sun and swimming combined 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 can avoid cash withdrawal fees with the FOREX Credit Card when you are outside the EU/EEA. The card also does not charge any currency surcharges for purchases.
– With a smart combination of currencies and payment methods, you can spend more time enjoying the trip, instead of on practical details, says Niklas Lydahl.
FOREX WINTER TRAVEL INDEX* 2025
| DESTINATION | INDEX |
| Hurghada (Egypt) | 26 |
| Phuket (Thailand) | 40 |
| Sal (Cape Verde) | 50 |
| Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) | 61 |
| Cancun (Mexico) | 71 |
| Gran Canaria (Spain) | 85 |
| Fuerteventura (Spain) | 85 |
| Tenerife (Spain) | 90 |
| Lanzarote (Spain) | 95 |
| Sweden | 100 |
| Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | 101 |
* The FOREX Winter Travel Index is a guide showing average price levels for popular winter travel destinations compared to Sweden. The index is based on data from open sources (including Numbeo, BudgetYourTrip, Trivago, Booking.com and GetYourGuide) and covers December 2025-March 2026. Prices are based on a basket of 3-star hotels, restaurant meals, taxis and activities. The index reflects average levels - actual costs may vary depending on travel dates, hotel standard, seasonal peaks and individual choices.
According to the press release.
