A viral thread on r/travel asked international visitors whether they find the United States expensive compared to home. The responses reveal surprising perceptions about American hotels, dining, shopping, and tipping culture from travelers accustomed to European and Asian prices.
"Do Europeans or Asians who visit USA find it expensive in terms of hotel costs, eating out, shopping for name brand items, transportation, tickets to shows, venues, etc. to the service you receive?" the original poster asked.
With over 350 comments, the discussion revealed nuanced views on American travel costs - and significant surprises on both sides.
The Hotel Question
European travelers generally found American hotels cheaper than European equivalents - at least in terms of space and amenities.
"US hotels give you so much more room for the money," wrote one traveler from the Netherlands. "A $100 hotel in the US has parking, breakfast, a big room, maybe a pool. A €100 hotel in Amsterdam is a shoebox."
Multiple commenters from the UK echoed this, noting that American chain hotels offer predictable quality and value rarely matched in Europe's independent hotel market.
Asian travelers, however, had mixed views. Visitors from Japan, Singapore, and South Korea found US hotels more expensive than their home markets, where efficient business hotels cost $50-80 per night.
Food: The Tipping Trap
Dining costs generated the most passionate responses - specifically around tipping culture.
"The menu prices seem reasonable, then you add 20% tip, 8-10% tax, and suddenly that $15 burger costs $20+," a frustrated European visitor wrote.
