There are trips that are not booked in a hurry. They are those destinations that end up on the dream list and are planned for a special moment in life: an adventure in the Galapagos Islands, a honeymoon in the Maldives or a night under the Northern Lights. But how much do you really have to spend to turn these dreams into reality?
To answer this question, travel company SquareMouth analyzed over 100,000 insurance purchases, a survey of more than 6,000 travelers, and data from platforms like Google Flights and Kayak Hotels . The result is a list of the most expensive destinations to travel to in 2026.
It's no surprise that the top countries are dominated by remote and difficult-to-reach destinations. The costs of transportation, accommodation, and logistics are much higher, while these places primarily attract travelers seeking unique, luxurious experiences or outdoor expeditions.
At the top of the list is Greenland, where a trip costs an average of $1,171 per day. Renting a car alone comes to about $110 per day, a hotel night costs approximately $227, while even a fairly simple meal at a restaurant costs an average of $36.
Second place is occupied by the British Virgin Islands, where a hotel night during the week costs an average of $1,137, while a traveler's daily spending amounts to about $925.
French Polynesia also ranks on the podium, with an average cost of $756 per day and hotel prices that can reach up to $1,382 per night.
Rounding out the top five are Antarctica and the Maldives. For Antarctica, the average airfare alone costs $1,899, while daily expenses come to $1,511. Meanwhile, in the Maldives, travelers should budget around $1,072 per day, while a hotel night costs an average of $1,249.
The list of the 15 most expensive destinations for 2026 includes: Greenland, British Virgin Islands, French Polynesia, Antarctica, Maldives, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Turks and Caicos Islands, Botswana, Anguilla, St. Lucia, Namibia, Iceland, Norway and Zambia.
If you have chosen them as places, we wish you a great time, if you have them on your " wish list ", we suggest you manifest them.
