Common questions
How accurate is this calculator?
The figures use aggregated real traveller spending data updated regularly. They are intentionally realistic rather than optimistic. We would rather you arrive with money left over than run short. Treat the result as a planning guide and add 10 to 15 percent as a contingency buffer for unexpected expenses.
What costs do people most often forget to budget for?
Airport parking or transport to your departure airport, checked baggage fees on budget airlines which can reach £60 per bag, airport food and drinks, foreign transaction fees if you use a standard bank card, travel vaccinations for some destinations, and visa fees where required.
How can I reduce my total trip cost?
The biggest savings come from travelling in shoulder season, booking flights 6 to 10 weeks ahead for short-haul and 3 to 6 months ahead for long-haul, using a fee-free travel card to eliminate foreign transaction fees, and eating where locals eat. For groups, renting an apartment often costs only marginally more than two hotel rooms.
Does this calculator work for travellers outside the UK?
Yes. Select your home currency from the dropdown and the calculator converts all estimates automatically using live exchange rates. It covers destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.