Switzerland is the world’s most expensive party destination this summer, a 2026 report finds. With millions of travelers booking their summer vacations, a new study by a digital entertainment company reveals the top 10 spots where going out eats into the holiday budget the most.
- Tourists in Switzerland should expect to spend nearly $120 on every night out, from the first round of drinks to the taxi ride to the hotel.
- Denmark is the most expensive place for drinks, with typical beverages like cocktails or a glass of wine costing over $11.
- Indonesia and Egypt are the sweet spot for party travelers on a budget, with a full night out coming in under $20.
The research examined the cost of a night out across 30+ countries to find where summer evenings are the most expensive. For each destination, the study collected average prices for common drinks, food, and taxi fares, alongside the number of nightlife activities, casinos, and bars available. Countries were then ranked from most to least expensive based on the total average cost of a night out.
Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive countries for a summer night out:
| Country | Nightlife Activities Per 1000 km2 | Bars & Clubs Per 1000 km2 | Average Drink Price | Food Price | Entertainment Price | Average Night Out Cost |
| Switzerland | 14.32 | 10.1 | $13.2 | $32.63 | $63 | $116 |
| USA | 1.05 | 1.0 | $9.4 | $26.50 | $56 | $96 |
| Denmark | 11.67 | 9.3 | $11.5 | $22.79 | $47 | $87 |
| UK | 40.92 | 40.9 | $9.4 | $26.33 | $36 | $77 |
| France | 7.39 | 5.1 | $8.9 | $17.04 | $36 | $71 |
| Norway | 0.98 | 0.7 | $11.9 | $24.36 | $15 | $63 |
| Italy | 33.00 | 25.8 | $8.0 | $17.04 | $31 | $63 |
| Greece | 15.13 | 12.3 | $6.0 | $17.04 | $34 | $62 |
| Germany | 13.29 | 11.3 | $7.1 | $17.04 | $32 | $61 |
| Spain | 15.40 | 12.6 | $7.2 | $18.18 | $31 | $60 |
1. Switzerland
- Average drink price: $13.15
- Food price: $32.63
- Taxi (standard tariff): $7.65
- Entertainment price: $63.00
- Average night out cost: $116.43
- Nightlife activities per 1,000 km2: 14.32
- Bars and clubs per 1,000 km2: 10.08
Switzerland is the most expensive place to party this summer, with a typical night out costing tourists nearly $120. Drinks alone average over $13 per round, and cocktails go for close to $20 each. Dinner before heading out adds another $33, and concert and stand-up tickets can cost more than $60 on top of that. Even the cab home runs $8, so travelers coming here need to plan for a big holiday budget.
2. USA
The US is the second most expensive country for a summer night out, where tourists typically spend $95+ in an evening. A big chunk of that goes on entertainment: concerts, clubs, and live shows passes can exceed $55, which is more than an entire night out costs in most other countries. Drinks run about $9 per round, and dinner for two can add another $50. Plus, if traveling to states like Nevada, thrill-seeking tourists should budget for casino entertainment too.
3. Denmark
Denmark is where drink prices will surprise tourists the most. A typical cocktail here averages over $17, and a simple gin and tonic costs $18. Even a local beer in bars across Copenhagen is nearly $7, so many travelers actually prefer to grab drinks at their Airbnbs before hitting the town. With restaurants also charging $23 for dinner, the full evening comes to around $87 here.
4. United Kingdom
Tourists heading to the UK this summer should budget nearly $80 for every night out. A typical dinner in tourist spots like London and Edinburgh costs over $25, while a cocktail or glass of wine goes for around $10. The prices are steep, but the nightlife scene here is actually one of the biggest in the world. The UK has over 10K bars and clubs across its cities, plus nearly 700 casinos.
5. France
France rounds out the top five most expensive summer party destinations. Those wanting to try the famous French cuisine are looking at $17 per meal, while a glass of local wine costs around $9. Taxi fares average $9 as well, making getting around after dark one of the pricier aspects of a French night out. On top of that, concert and show tickets in cities like Paris average around $36.
A spokesperson from Casino.com commented on the study:
“If you’ve already booked a trip to Switzerland or Denmark, the best way to keep nightlife costs down is to eat before heading to the bar district. Restaurants in tourist areas charge a significant premium, so locals tend to eat earlier and closer to residential neighborhoods. For drinks, hotel, and supermarket prices are a fraction of what bars charge, so pre-gaming before a night out is genuinely common practice among frequent travelers to expensive destinations.”