Iceland tops Europe as most expensive

The hot springs of Iceland are not the only thing making tourists sweat, as a look at the hotel or lunch bill will tell you that most things cost more, sometimes much more, than anywhere else in Europe.

On the subarctic island, consumer prices were on average 56 percent higher than the rest of Europe in 2018, making Iceland the single most expensive country, ahead of Switzerland (52 per cent), Norway (48 per cent) and Denmark (38 per cent), according to Eurostat data.

In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, a tourist, Quint Johnson, said he had done "some research," before travelling to Iceland from the United States for a week's vacation with his family.

"But it's been a little bit of a shock," the 22-year-old student told AFP, having discovered the chilling rates for familiar items like a simple hamburger with fries and a beer.

A glance at the menu at an Icelandic restaurant will tell you that a plain cheese pizza will run you around 2,400 kronur -- around 17 euros (US19) -- a glass of wine will be the equivalent of at least 10 euros (USD11) and a pint of beer costs about seven euros (USD8).

"That's a big price jump compared to what I'm used to," Johnson said.

"I can get a burger and fries and beer at home for probably USD12-USD13 and here we're more like USD20 if not USD25."