Travel
Travel Budget Planner
Plan your full trip budget including flights, accommodation, and daily spending.
Over-spending on trips is almost always due to poor planning. This calculator builds your complete travel budget from the ground up so you know your number before you book.
Total Trip Budget
$2800
- accommodation
- $1050
- food
- $800
- per Day
- $350/day all-in
- buffer
- $420 emergency buffer (15%)
Formula and method
Total = Flights + (Nightly Rate × Nights) + (Daily Spend × Days) + Transport
Includes an extra day of food spending for travel days. A 15% emergency buffer is recommended for unexpected costs.
Worked examples
Week in Mexico
- Flights (total $):
- 600
- Accommodation per Night ($):
- 120
- Number of Nights:
- 7
- Daily Food & Activities ($):
- 80
- Local Transport ($):
- 100
Total Trip Budget: $2180
European city break
- Flights (total $):
- 1400
- Accommodation per Night ($):
- 220
- Number of Nights:
- 5
- Daily Food & Activities ($):
- 180
- Local Transport ($):
- 200
Total Trip Budget: $3780
Assumptions and limits
- Days = Nights + 1 for food calculation
- Flights include all taxes and fees
This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not adding a 10-20% buffer for unexpected costs — ATM fees, unexpected meals, emergencies.
- Forgetting travel insurance — for international trips, this can easily run $50-$200 and is essential.
- Converting at credit card rates vs actual exchange — check your card's foreign transaction fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget per day for Europe?
Budget travel: $80-100/day. Mid-range: $150-200/day. Comfortable: $250-350/day. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Western Europe (Paris, London) runs 30-50% higher than Central/Eastern Europe.