Travel Budget Calculator

Combine lodging, food, transport, and activities per day, multiply each by its own day count, add travel insurance once, and apply a contingency percentage for surprises.

Your trip in numbers

Trip length (days)

Lodging

Amount per day

Days with this cost

Food

Amount per day

Days with this cost

Transport

Amount per day

Days with this cost

Activities & tickets

Amount per day

Days with this cost

Travel insurance

Contingency buffer

Your data is not stored. Everything runs in your browser.

Budget snapshot

Estimated trip total

Daily average

This tool produces a rough estimate only. Real spend shifts with destination, season, exchange rates, and how you travel. Treat the result as a planning guide, not a guarantee, and keep extra headroom if your plans are tight.

Why sketch a travel budget beforehand

A simple budget reduces guesswork: you see whether the trip fits your savings, where money goes, and what to trim if you need slack. It also makes it easier to compare destinations or dates before you commit.

What each line covers, and its own days

You decide how granular to be. These labels are a common split, and each has its own days field:

Lodging: hotels, hostels, short-term rentals, or similar nights on the days you pay for a stay.
Food: sit-down meals, groceries, snacks, drinks, and everyday eating out.
Transport: local transit, fuel, tolls, or car hire only on the days that travel happens.
Activities: tours, museums, parks, events, and paid entries on the days you actually use them.

How this calculator combines the numbers

We multiply each per-day estimate by that category’s days, add travel insurance as a single trip line, then apply your contingency percentage to that subtotal. The daily average in the result is the category sum divided by trip length. The percentage is meant for small surprises such as a higher taxi fare or a minor price bump. It is not a substitute for emergency savings at home.

lodging×days_l + food×days_f + transport×days_t + activities×days_a + insurance = subtotal. subtotal × (contingency% ÷ 100) = buffer. subtotal + buffer = estimated totalS=l dl+f df+t dt+a da+iB=S⋅c100Ttot=S+B\begin{aligned}S&=l\,d_{l}+f\,d_{f}+t\,d_{t}+a\,d_{a}+i\\B&=S\cdot\dfrac{c}{100}\\T_{\mathrm{tot}}&=S+B\end{aligned}SBTtot​​=ldl​+fdf​+tdt​+ada​+i=S⋅100c​=S+B​

Insurance is not divided by day here: enter the policy premium as one amount for the whole trip. Category days start equal to the trip length, and you can lower them when a cost does not apply every day.

Ideas to stretch the same budget

Lock in flights and stays once dates are firm. Last-minute prices often spike.
Shoulder or off-peak windows can cut lodging and flights without ruining the experience.
Mix sit-down restaurants with markets or self-catering when you have a kitchen.
Check day or week passes for metro, bus, or regional rail instead of only single tickets.
Look for bundled passes, online presale, or free-entry days before you arrive.

Other lines people forget to budget

Travel medical or cancellation cover: mandatory or wise depending on where you go.
Tourist levies, resort fees, seat or baggage charges, and visa or entry costs.
eSIM, roaming, or local SIM if you need reliable data on the road.
Souvenirs and gifts: easy to omit until the last day.
A deliberate contingency (like the percentage field) so a small wobble does not derail the trip.

Adjust inputs as quotes arrive, rerun the calculation and compare scenarios until the plan feels realistic for your destination and comfort level.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I set aside for “just in case”?

Many travellers aim for roughly one tenth to one fifth of the trip subtotal (after daily costs and insurance) as a buffer, but that is a rule of thumb. Remote destinations, adventure activities, or tight schedules may warrant more. A short domestic break might need less.

Why does each category have its own day count?

Because not every cost happens on every day of the trip. Example: a 30-day trip with local transport on only 5 days. Set that category’s days so idle days do not inflate the total.

How can I spend less on lodging without roughing it?

Compare neighbourhoods slightly off the main drag, check guesthouses or apartments with kitchens, and read recent reviews for cleanliness and noise. Booking early and staying flexible on exact dates within the same week often helps more than chasing opaque “deals.”

Is travel insurance worth including?

For many international trips it is sensible: it can cover emergency medical costs, some cancellations, and delays, depending on the policy. Requirements vary by country. Read the fine print and enter the premium you are actually quoted so your total reflects reality.