Whether it’s clinking steins of pilsner at Oktoberfest in Germany, washing down seafood with a lager at a Goan shack, or lingering over a Guinness Extra Stout in a Dublin pub, beer is often the most democratic of drinks. Affordable, easy on the palate, and effortlessly social, making it a longstanding global favourite.
Deutsche Bank’s 2025 ‘Mapping the World’s Prices’ report breaks down the cost of a 0.5-litre bottle of domestic beer across major cities of the world. At the top end, Sydney leads as the most expensive city to order a domestic beer at $4.75 (Rs419), followed by Singapore at $4.27 (Rs376). Surprisingly, Dublin, famed for its beer culture, lands fifth on the list, with a bottle priced at $3.60 (Rs317).
The global average sits at $2.14 (Rs189), a price shared by Tokyo in Japan and Bengaluru in India. In India, prices hover closer to the global average: $1.87 (Rs165) in Delhi, $2.13 (Rs188) in Mumbai, and $2.14 (Rs189) in Bengaluru. Delhi ranks 30th on the list of the cheapest places in the world to get a drink, followed by Mumbai at 32nd and Bengaluru at 33rd. The cheapest pint in the world, however, is found in Shanghai, where a domestic beer costs just $0.82 (Rs72), with Beijing close behind at $0.84 (Rs74). In Europe, Frankfurt offers the best deal, with a bottle at $1.06 (Rs93).
Here’s a look at the cities where you can enjoy a chilled beer without burning a hole in your pocket.
The 10 cheapest cities in the world to get a domestic beer
#1 China (Shanghai): $0.82 (Rs72)
#2 China (Beijing): $0.84 (Rs74)
#3 Germany (Frankfurt): $1.06 (Rs93.5)
#3 Czech Republic (Prague): $1.06 (Rs93.5)
#4 Russia (Moscow): $1.07 (Rs94)
#5 Colombia (Bogota): $1.12 (Rs98)
#6 Hungary (Budapest): $1.17 (Rs103)
#6 Germany (Berlin): $1.17 (Rs103)
#7 Germany (Munich): $1.18 (Rs104)
#8 Brazil (Rio de Janeiro): $1.24 (Rs109)
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