Fifty dollars; 3230 roubles; 1.Two million Vietnamese dong; in certain cities this amount of money can bankroll a miscellany of merriment and memorable cultural experiences, in others it'll barely cover lunch.
But just how far can budget travellers stretch $50 in main metropolises all over the world? To discover, we set Lonely Planet writers based in cities all over the world the challenge of creating an exciting one-day itinerary in their hometowns – which includes dining, transport and activities – with just $50 in local currency available.
From sipping cocktails on rooftops in Singapore for you to get whipped with tree branches in Moscow, here's the best way to spend $50 in seven cities all over the world.
A 50 Swiss Franc day in Zurich
With its swanky shopfronts along Bahnhofstrasse and lavish high-rise restaurants, people to Zurich can often burn through 50 Swiss Francs in a matter of minutes. If you wish to make it last a full day, you will have to be a touch more tactical together with your spending.
Start with a flaky croissant and an iced coffee in the morning at among the supermarkets in the primary U-Bahn stations (Sfr4) on the way to catch the Polybahn funicular (Sfr1.20) up to the university quarter. There, the Polyterrasse boasts among the finest free views in the city and many of the university museums for example Focus Terra cost nothing to understand more about. Grab lunch at one of the university cafeterias (Sfr11), before wandering among the medieval houses and churches of the city's charming Old Town. The second can also be the place to find the Kunsthaus fine-arts gallery, which is free to enter on Wednesdays!
As evening approaches, dive into Tschingg for pasta (Sfr17.50) and a glass of vino (Sfr6). That leaves Sfr10, so either get drinks and sweets from the supermarket and head right down to Lake Zurich for any romantic evening, or find a free concert within the indie bars around Langstrasse and spend the rest of your money on a well-earned pint of craft beer (and maybe even two… if you're lucky).
Claudia Peter is a journalist and traveller located in Switzerland.
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A 3230 rouble day in Moscow
Despite being a cosmopolitan capital, 3230 roubles is sufficient for any rip-roaring 12 hours in modern-day Moscow. First, get energised at the popular all-day breakfast place Cookkareku, which offers a selection of breakfast dishes from around the world (R336; when ordered in the discount menu).
After that, you're all set for a few hours in the famous Sanduny Baths (off-peak entry ticket is R1775) where visitors are treated to some regenerative banya (hot bath) prior to being repeatedly whipped with a venik (a broom produced from twigs) to massage your skin and improve circulation. Once dry, spend time marvelling at contemporary Russian art at Winzavod; its galleries are housed at a former wine factory and entrance is free.
By now, your stomach may once more be starting to rumble. Among the cheapest methods to dig to the wonderful food scene in Moscow is at one of the recently opened gastro markets, with Tsentralny Market at Trubnaya where you started of the greatest. Get the fill of hearty Georgian cuisine at Gamarjoba or vegetarian food at Flora No Fauna (around R800). The different options are the remaining amount travelling by Moscow Metro (R50 per trip). Put aside serious amounts of explore it, since every station is definitely an architectural masterpiece in its own right.
Andrei Muchnik is really a travel and lifestyle journalist based in Moscow.
A 45 euro day in Milan
With a reputation for high finance and haute-couture, Milan may not be the first city that springs in your thoughts when travelling on a tight budget. Yet 45 euros takes you beyond you would imagine…but only if you intend carefully.
Start your entire day with brunch at Pave, among the hippest cafes in Milan and renowned because of its pastries (10 euro, with sandwich and coffee). Make the right path to the centre of Milan. Admire the numerous spires and marble outside of the Duomo, before strolling with the soaring arches of the Galleria. From there take a short walk to the La Scala ticket office for bargain tickets (10 euro) to the night's theatrical performance.
Spend the afternoon exploring the largest green lung in the city, Parco Sempione, which also hosts the Triennial Museum (tickets 12 euro), essential for all design fans. Finally dine on the big oozy Neapolitan-style pizza (10 euro) at Gino Sorbillo, before finishing your night at La Scala, with only enough for a quick drink before the curtain lifts.
Stephanie Ong is really a writer and editor living in Milan.
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A 1.Two million dong day in Ho Chi Minh City
With a money belt stuffed with just under 1.Two million Vietnamese dong along with a semi-sensible attitude towards spending, you may create an excellent one-day itinerary in budget-friendly HCMC, that combines memorable cultural sights and opulent travel experiences.
Start your entire day at the ornate Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon (Chinatown) and stroll the encompassing streets lined with Traditional chinese medicine shops housed in colourful heritage buildings. Following a Hainanese chicken and rice and fresh coconut (100,000d) at simple eatery Com Ga Dong Nguyen, head to the Fine Arts Museum (scooter 30,000d, entrance 10,000d); a beautiful French-colonial building housing a remarkable variety of traditional artwork from sculptures to woodcut paintings.
See more of France's architectural influence on the town while sipping a cappuccino (200,000d) in EON51; a swanky restaurant 50 storeys up. Go back to street level for a modern take on Vietnamese staple pho (noodle soup) at award-winning Anan Saigon, served here with truffle and Wagyu beef (300,000d), then end the night having a classical music performance (VND 450,000d) in the cream-hued Saigon Opera House; quite the finale to a day of supposed penny-pinching.
James Pham is a writer, editor and photographer located in Ho Chi Minh City. Follow his tweets @trvlwrtr.
A 50 dollar day in NYC
Fifty dollars to see all the juiciest items of ny? No problem so long as you are happy to skip some of the core (read: expensive) sights in NYC.
Start your day in Nolita having a bagel and schmear at Black Seed Bagels ($3.50) along with a latte ($4.50) from hipster-hangout Gasoline Alley on Lafayette St. Stroll over to Washington Square Park to eat and pay attention to the buskers before hopping on a Citi Bike ($12/day) and pedalling to the southern entrance from the High Line. Wander along the elevated rail tracks, admiring the general public artworks, before exiting at 23rd St and grabbing another bike for an easy pedal east to Madison Square Park.
Try a burger and some crinkle-cut fries ($9) from the original Shake Shack (now a beloved international burger chain); then walk up Fifth Ave to Central Park, detouring to snap pics from the Empire State and Chrysler Building at one of the city's iconic Instagram spots. Undock a Citi Bike in front of the Plaza Hotel for any leisurely ride through Central Park as much as the Paris Blues jazz club in Harlem. Buy a drink ($10), save $2.75 for the subway ride home, and use your remaining funds to tip this guitar rock band.
Mikki Brammer is really a writer, editor and photographer located in New York. Follow her tweets @mikkibrammer.
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A 67.50 Singaporean dollar day in Singapore
Every year since 2022 Singapore has been crowned the earth's most expensive city to live in, but surprisingly tourists can continue to experience this island nation in most its glory on the meagre S$67.50.
Fuel up with a Singaporean breakfast set (S$2) of runny eggs, kaya (coconut jam) toast and strong kopi (coffee) at any nearby kopitiam (coffee shop), before experiencing the free tranquility of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Get there around the sleek MRT system; a limitless one-day Tourist Pass is simply S$10. Pre-lunch, hit lantern-filled Chinatown and find out about the first inhabitants from the area in the Chinatown Heritage Centre (S$15), before entering the labyrinth-like Chinatown Complex for many from the cheapest and best grub around the island (plates from S$2).
Spend the afternoon discovering a wealth of ancestral cultures at the Asian Civilisations Museum (S$8) before completing your adventure nursing an eye-wateringly expensive cocktail (S$30) at rooftop C'E LA VI SkyBar; the blockbuster skyline panorama is worth the splurge!
Ria de Jong is really a travel writer based in Singapore. Follow her tweets @ria_in_transit.
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A 3500 rupee day in Delhi
Whether you are looking for our prime life or best value for your money, 3500 Indian rupees is ample for a fun-filled day in Delhi. Hang around its midriff , New Delhi and also the near southern suburbs, in order to save money and time.
Take in an exhibition at Habitat World for free, then pop into Lodi Garden (also free) and admire the Lodhi Colony's colourful street art. When hunger strikes, walk to Khan Market, and pop into Perch for light bites along with a glass of Coffee Sangria (Rs1250). To digest in peaceful calm, ride a radio cab to Nizamuddin (Rs150) to Sunder Nursery, an attractively restored 16th century garden (entry Rs100).
To assuage tea-time food cravings, hail another taxi to Hauz Khas Village (Rs150), an arty enclave located beside an accumulation of 13th- and 14th-century monuments, to window-shop at vintage stores with a gourmet coffee in hand (Rs350). End the day with sundowners and live music at the Piano Man Jazz Club (Rs1500). Alternatively, head right to Chadni Chowk in Old Delhi and splash all in the district's street stalls and family-run restaurants that provide up delicious north Indian dishes – with 3500 rupees to hand, you need to just about get your fill…
Puneet Kaur Sidhu is a writer and literary critic located in Northern India. Follow her tweets @babesbanter.
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This article was first published in May 2022 and last updated in February 2022.
