Travel Budget Calculator
Plan your trip budget with accommodation, flights, food, activities, and transport. See total, per-person, and per-day costs.
Enter your trip details to get a full budget breakdown with per-person and per-day costs.
How to Budget for a Trip Without Guessing
The difference between a relaxing holiday and a stressful one often comes down to planning. Underbudget and you spend the second half of the trip counting pennies. Overbudget and you might talk yourself out of going altogether.
The trick is breaking your trip into categories: accommodation, transport, food, activities, and a buffer. Experienced travellers use the 40/20/20/10/10 rule: 40% accommodation, 20% transport, 20% food and drink, 10% activities, and 10% miscellaneous. It's not perfect for every destination, but it's a solid starting framework.
Always add a 10-15% buffer on top of your calculated total. Something always costs more than expected — airport transfers, baggage fees, that restaurant everyone said you had to try.
Average Daily Travel Costs by Destination
| Destination | Budget (per person/day) | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain / Portugal | £50-£70 | £90-£130 | £180-£250 |
| France / Italy | £60-£80 | £110-£160 | £200-£300 |
| Thailand / Vietnam | £25-£40 | £50-£80 | £120-£200 |
| USA (cities) | £80-£120 | £150-£220 | £300-£500 |
| Turkey / Greece | £40-£60 | £80-£120 | £160-£250 |
| Japan | £60-£90 | £120-£180 | £250-£400 |
| UK staycation | £50-£70 | £100-£150 | £200-£350 |
What this means for you: These are per-person daily costs including accommodation, food, transport, and activities — but not flights. Budget tier means hostels and street food. Mid-range is 3-star hotels and casual restaurants. Comfortable means 4-star with curated experiences.
Hidden Costs Most Travellers Forget
| Hidden Cost | Typical Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Airport parking | £40-£100/week | Book in advance, use off-site parking, or get a lift |
| Checked baggage | £25-£50 per bag | Travel carry-on only or pre-book luggage |
| Foreign transaction fees | 2-3% of every purchase | Use a fee-free card (Starling, Monzo, Wise) |
| Airport transfers | £15-£60 per person | Pre-book shuttles or use public transport |
| Travel insurance | £20-£80 per trip | Annual policies are cheaper if you travel 2+ times/year |
| Tourist taxes | £1-£7 per night | Budget for it — required in Spain, Italy, France, etc. |
| SIM / data roaming | £10-£30 | Get an eSIM (Airalo) or check your plan's roaming terms |
What this means for you: These extras can add £100-£300 to a week-long holiday for two. Add them to the miscellaneous field in the calculator to get a realistic total.
Tips for Stretching Your Travel Budget
Book accommodation with a kitchen
Self-catering for breakfast and lunch, eating out for dinner. A family of four saves £30-50/day versus three restaurant meals.
Fly mid-week and off-peak
Tuesday and Wednesday flights are 20-40% cheaper than Friday/Sunday. Shoulder season (May, September) gives good weather at half the price.
Use a travel money card
Starling, Monzo, and Wise charge no foreign transaction fees. High street banks charge 2-3% on every purchase abroad — that's £60-£90 on a £3,000 trip.
Mix free and paid activities
Every city has free walking tours, public parks, beaches, and markets. Save paid activities for 2-3 highlights and fill the rest with free experiences.
Hidden Travel Costs People Forget
Airport transfers
A taxi from the airport to your hotel can cost £30-80+ each way. Budget for return transfers, or research bus/train options before you fly.
Tourist taxes
Many European cities charge €1-7 per person per night. Barcelona, Venice, Paris, and Amsterdam all have them. Paid at the hotel, not included in the booking price.
Travel insurance
A broken leg in the US can cost £25,000+ without insurance. Annual multi-trip cover is often cheaper than single-trip if you travel twice a year. Check your bank — some include travel insurance.
Data roaming
Since Brexit, many UK networks charge £2-6/day for roaming in Europe. Check your plan before you go, or buy a local eSIM — they're often £5-10 for a week of data.
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How to use this tool
Enter number of travellers and nights
Add accommodation cost per night
Add flight cost per person
Common uses
- Planning a holiday budget before booking
- Comparing costs between different destinations
- Splitting trip costs between travellers
- Working out per-day spending limits
- Estimating total cost including hidden expenses
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