5 Trips Only the Rich Can Afford
Written by
Stacy Sare Cohen
Edited by
Brendan McGinley
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In today’s economy, the cost of luxury travel experiences has hit record levels, pricing out the middle class. At one time, everyday travelers could save up for a luxury dream vacation. However, as 2026 approaches and travel costs and inflation escalate, many destinations and excursions are only attainable by the wealthy.
Here are five trips only the rich can afford.
An Extended Disney Vacation
While a trip to Disney still features a range of hotel choices, from inexpensive to five-star, it is no longer the “affordable family vacation” it once was, said LaDell Carter, founder & lead luxury lifestyle travel designer at Royal Expression Travels. While a short stay may be doable for some families who save up, a longer stay is out of the question, especially for travelers seeking luxury.
“Tickets alone can run $200-$300 per person per day and a personal VIP guide runs around $5,000 for starters — and that’s before you buy a single churro!” she said.
Carter said she has stayed at The Four Seasons Orlando, “an oasis of calm among the chaos where parents imbibe champagne poolside while the children befriend Mickey.” However, she said “room [rates] start around $2,500 per night during high season,” which is out of reach for most families.
Hawaii
Prices for tourists traveling to the 50th state have risen due to inflation and what’s known as a “green fee” created to help protect Hawaii’s natural ecosystem from climate change impacts, according to Kiplinger. The Aloha State will impose the transient accommodations tax (TAT) for hotel stays, short-term rentals and cruises for tourists.
“Development has been quietly taking place in the luxury tier,” said Carter. “Because of the increased cost of doing business and environmental preservation expenses, the islands have become a high-end resort.”
“During certain periods,” she said, “the Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay can easily range from $3,000 to $5,000 daily; add on private dining, cultural experiences and helicopter transportation, it can easily [reach] the six-figure range for less than a week.”
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
A train ride on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an “immersive experience in vintage European luxury, where passengers enjoy exclusive access to personal butlers, white-glove dinner service and champagne that never stops flowing,” said Casey Keller, travel expert and owner of Wandering Everywhere.
“A single night in a Grand Suite now runs upwards of $15,000 per person and the full six-day Paris to Istanbul route can cost over $120,000 per couple,” she said.
“Once a dream splurge for a milestone anniversary or birthday, it’s now priced at a level that only the truly wealthy can [manage], making it a clear symbol of how some iconic experiences have quietly drifted into ultra-luxury territory,” Keller said.
The Amalfi Coast
Located in Southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, cliffside architecture and historical charm.
Before the pandemic, vacationers could find moderate to high-priced hotel rooms at some of the best properties for around $900 to $1,150 a night, according to Andrew Satkowiak, co-founder of The Luxury Travel Agency. However those days are long past.
“For July 2026, entry-level rooms at these same places (Santa Caterina, Caruso, A Belmond Hotel and Le Sirenuse) are over $2,300 a night,” he said.
Satkowiak said a private yacht charter with a captain and a small crew of one or two for the day will set you back $3,500 to $4,600 or more. In brighter news, the price for a private, full-day tour along the Amalfi coast in a private luxury car hasn’t changed considerably and can still be taken for $800 plus.
Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast)
On the island of Sardinia, west of the Italian peninsula and southern Italy, lies Costa Smeralda, a destination wrapped in exclusivity that caters to the rich and famous. Here, guests can discover exclusive resorts, Michelin-starred dining and high-end boutiques along emerald coastal waters.
Many guests arrive by private jet or helicopter and a stay at an exclusive hotel, such as Hotel Cala Di Volope, which starts at $4,400 a night, according to Satkowiak.
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