‘Free’ tourist attraction is Britons top bucket list to do – not Northern Lights

It seems like Brits are willing to splash the cash when it comes to ticking off their travel bucket list. While many people dream of doing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities from around the world it seems like money is no problem.

A new study, conducted by travel experts at Dubai Tours & Tickets, has revealed the most popular bucket list landmarks for Brits and the astonishing cost of ticking off the destinations.

Researchers also identified the months when tourists are most likely to flock to each location, and when travellers are most likely to get an uninterrupted view.

Google search data for the most impressive landmarks was used to create the ranking, with ticket and flight costs totalled for price data.

However, for those who want to keep costs low, a travel expert has offered advice on ticking off their bucket list in a budget-friendly way.

How much would it cost the average Brit to tick off their travel bucket list?

Niagara Falls

It turns out that the number one destination Brits are desperate to see is Niagara Falls.

The three waterfalls, spanning across the border of Canada’s Ontario and the state of New York, are over 12,000 years old and attract more than 12 million annual visitors.

The popular attraction is searched for around 160,661 times per month, 1,087 percent more than the average destination on this list (13,535 searches per month).

In July, these searches skyrocket to a staggering 331,190, with demand for flights, hotels and transport driving up the average price.

The falls are free to visit, though the sightseeing tours are ticketed. However, according to Skyscanner, return flights to the closest airport to Niagara Falls from the UK cost a minimum of £1,166 per adult.

During peak seasons, and closer to the landmark, hotel prices skyrocket, and the cost of car hire and food increases British tourists’ total spend.

Eiffel Tower

Second place is the iconic Eiffel Tower. With 90,109 average monthly searches, 566 percent more than the average bucket list destination, the French landmark is the most visited paid landmark in the world.

Searches for the site peak in June each year. One of the cheapest destinations on this list, a return flight to Paris can be as cheap as £30 per adult, with a ticket price of £22.46 to ascend to the top of the tower bringing the total spend up to £56.46.

Alcatraz

In third, Alcatraz Island is high on the bucket list for Brits. The maximum-security prison, located on an island off the coast of San Francisco, closed to prisoners in 1963 but is still a popular tourist attraction, searched for 88,423 times per month, on average.

In 2024, visitors can tour the island and buildings, including the cell house, and with the rise of true crime stories, it offers the chance to explore one of the most recognisable prisons in the world.

July is the month that sees the most Google searches. The average cost of flights and tickets to Alcatraz would set a British tourist back approximately £543.77, but with such long flight durations, hotels, food and transport would undoubtedly be necessary, thus increasing the expense.

Central Park

The fourth most common bucket list destination is Central Park, located in New York. The first landscaped park in the US, the site is searched for around 73,454 times per month, most commonly in June.

The average cost of a visit to Central Park is £1,574, with free entry to the park offset by expensive flights. The attractions inside the park also cost extra.

Northern Lights

In fifth place is the Northern Lights. Whilst these lights can be seen in locations around the world, and have recently been spotted in the UK, heading to the Arctic Circle will increase your chance of a clear view.

With 67,215 average searches per month, 397 percent higher than the average destination on this list, Greenland, Norway, Canada and the other Arctic Circle nations are high on the bucket list of many Brits.

A trip to Norway, one of the most common viewing destinations, would cost a reasonably low £44 per adult, but tour guides to take you to the best viewing spot will increase this figure.

The most searched-for bucket list destinations, according to Brits, and total cost:

1. Niagara Falls – £1,166

2. Eiffel Tower – £52.46

3. Alcatraz – £543.77

4. Central Park – £1,574

5. Northern Lights – £44

6. Buckingham Palace – £32

7. The Grand Canyon – £1,366.12

8. Times Square – £1,574

9. Taj Mahal – £467.80

10. Machu Picchu – £210.99