There has never been a shortage of places I would love to visit. However, choosing the destination can sometimes be the most difficult part of beginning my trip planning. Even before I begin I usually have a good idea of what kind of budget I can afford for my next adventure. The tricky part, figuring out if my budget matches my destination preference.
There are a few costs that I can calculate pretty quickly to get an idea of what to expect to spend.
Big Costs
Plane tickets
Jump onto a search engine like google flights to get a quick glance of flight prices for the time of year you’re thinking about traveling. Airlines usually add flights to their schedules and set prices about 10 months in advance. If flight prices aren’t yet published for your planned time frame, I suggest taking the current flight prices and adding $300 as a budgeting tool, maybe more if it’s currently off season.
Accommodations
Visit your favorite search engine and look at the nightly prices in a few of the cities you plan to visit. Look for the kind of accommodation you think best matches what you would book and make a note. If you’re looking for a luxury stay or hostel, find an option that reflects that price range and round up a bit if prices for the time of year you’re visiting will be their busy season.
Excursions
If you are using a travel agent, you will save a lot of time searching for all the options for the many things to do and operator choices there are to choose from. Your travel agent will be able to provide you with a list of options based on your interests and help you pick the perfect combination for your budget.
I usually have a few must do excursions that have inspired me to choose this particular destination. For example, when I planned my trip to New Zealand, I knew I wanted to spend lots of time outdoors, zipline, and white water raft. So I looked up those excursions first to get those prices built into my budget.
You can use social media or search engines to find inspiration for your trip planning if you don’t already have things in mind or need additional ideas.
Food
Budgeting for food costs can vary greatly depending on your destination. If you are traveling to multiple countries in one trip, prices can still vary widely. To find a snapshot of what current prices look like, I use google maps to search for local restaurants. I will then look for a digital menu for an idea of price ranges. You will also want to know if your destination has tap water that will be safe for you to drink. If not, add in a little extra to plan for purchasing bottled water. You will also want to cushion your budget if you like to order beer, wine, or mixed drinks with your meals.
To save money, try and book accommodations that offer breakfast included or have a kitchen you can use to cook a few meals on your own. My family are not big breakfast eaters. Something small will hold us over until lunch. I like to find a local bakery for a muffin or breakfast sandwich on the go. I also like to look for a local grocery store to pick up a few staples, especially if I have a kitchen or kitchenette to use. A little eggs, toast, and yogurt is plenty for us and helps save some money. Check your accommodations for what they are able to offer in their kitchen. I look for a toaster and mini fridge, when lucky a little hot plate or range for a hot breakfast.
If you plan to road trip at your destination, you could check out a local gas station for a cooler to keep in your vehicle or bring a soft sided option in your luggage.
Foodies will want to cushion this bucket of the budget especially if planning to visit any well known restaurants along the way. Make reservations in advance when possible. Don’t discount the street food you may come across though! Sometimes those are the hidden gems! When in doubt, ask a local where they love to eat.
Transportation at destination
There are so many different forms of transportation that could be options for you at your destination from hired drivers, taxis, buses, rental vehicles, trains, or tour coaches. Public transportation can be the most affordable way to travel. This will require a little more preparation before you leave. I do all my research ahead of time so I know what I will be using when I arrive. I do not want to have to worry about making decisions or asking questions when I am jet lagged after a long flight and need to get to my hotel.
Some hotels will offer transfers from the airport. If not, consider taking a taxi or hiring a driver. Not all destinations have the most reliable or safe taxi services. Do your research or listen to your travel agent’s advice. You may also want to consider if there will be a language barrier you may need to navigate.
If taking public transportation like trains or buses, be sure you are ready to get off! Some stops are very short and you don’t want to miss it and have to back track, losing time and money.
I also suggest doing a quick search online for an estimate of gas prices for your rental vehicle. You may even find a company to look out for where you can get the best gas prices. Ask your rental company’s agents before leaving the desk for any tips or tricks. If you are getting a rental you will want to make sure you purchase insurance for your rental vehicle. My credit card provided this perk if I paid for my rental with the card. Meaning I didn’t have to purchase an additional package from the rental company. Check with your bank for all their travel perks or coverages. I have found that most rental companies will give you a slightly better price if you pick up and return your rental to the same place. That isn’t always the case, so look at all your options that may work for your itinerary.
Travel Insurance
I will always recommend including travel insurance into your budget. There is nothing worse than spending your savings on the trip of a lifetime to suffer from canceled flights, lost luggage, or medical emergencies that will completely blow your budget. Add it into your budget during your research to make sure you won’t get hit by unexpected expenses without coverage. Every insurance policy is different so you can shop around for the one that is best for you.
Don’t forget about the little things
The smaller expenses can add up as well if you forget to include them in your initial budget. Remember to plan for the one-time expenses or little things you may come across during your travels.
Visa or travel authorization fees
Many destinations will require anyone visiting to get a visa or travel authorization. These usually have a small administrative fee. While they are not big fees, they are worth adding into your budget, especially if you are traveling with a large group or family.
Tips
Be prepared to tip resort or hotel staff, drivers or other service workers during your travels. Cruise lines may build in tips into your fare, but sometimes they are hidden expenses that you should be prepared for. It is always nice to have a little set aside for any exceptional service you receive.
International transaction fees
Depending on your bank, you may have to pay international transaction fees for each transaction made. Be sure to do your research ahead of time with your bank and understand all the implications of using your credit card or debit card while abroad. You should also pay attention to the currency conversion rate. Know what your dollar is worth in your destination.
ATM fees
ATMs will very often have a fee for conversion of currency on top of an international transaction fee the bank may charge. This can sometimes be five dollars or more, depending on the bank and ATM location. I avoid ATMs at airports at all costs and never use currency exchange kiosks. They often charge much higher rates than using an ATM. Call your bank and ask if they have international partner banks you can use that will offer a discounted or waived ATM fee.
Souvenirs
Of course you want to remember your trip and likely bring home a souvenir or two. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this. Just make sure that you budget for it before leaving so you don’t have to pass up the perfect souvenir because you ran out of money. Make a list for yourself before leaving if there are any important people you want to bring home a souvenir for and how much you are willing to spend for each person. When traveling with kids I suggest telling them their budget before departing on how much they can spend while you travel. This will help them learn to be responsible for their own money and mitigate begging for souvenirs at every shop along the way.
Local recommendations
I like to cushion my budget with a little extra money for fun surprises I didn’t come across before leaving while traveling. I love asking the locals what the best things to do are or for the things I shouldn’t miss. You won’t feel bad about making an extra stop because you’ll have budgeted and some extra money for these local recommendations. These surprises may even become your favorite part of the trip.
Airport parking fees
Airport parking fees are easy to forget about. If possible, ask family members or friends to drop you off at the airport for your trip. However, if you have to drive yourself and park your vehicle, make sure you take personal items or valuables out of your vehicle before you leave for the airport. Research the parking options at your local airport and which lot will be best for you and the length of your trip. Nearly all lots will have shuttles to the terminals, but it is important to double check. If you will be using a rideshare app to get to or from the airport, make sure you check what rates might be like so you can include them in your budget.
Paying bills early before you leave
Ideally, you have saved up for this trip for a while and are prepared for all of the expenses for your trip. However, don’t forget that bills will still be due while you are away. Whether you have automatic payments or put checks in the mail to pay your bills before leaving, don’t forget to plan for those funds coming out of your accounts.
Luggage fees
Sometimes no matter how well you try to pack, you still might have to pay for a luggage fee. Whether it’s an extra checked bag or your bag is overweight, luggage fees can be brutal.
Pet Sitters or Boarding
Make sure your other family members who will not be traveling with you are taken care of while you’re away. Book a pet sitter or boarding stay for your furry family member. This cost can add up quickly depending on the length of your trip and how many pets you own. Ask family and friends for local recommendations. Some vet’s even offer these services. You may even be able to find a good fit on a pet sitting site like Rover.
Hotels before flight at departure airport
Our closest airport is at least two and a half hours away, most often we are traveling three hours to our airport. Luckily, our family lives close by the airport so we can stay with them when taking an early flight or arriving in the middle of the night to avoid the additional drive. However, if you don’t have friends or family to stay with you need to plan to stay in a hotel the evening before a morning flight or evening after your late arrival. The same might be true for the night before you embark on a cruise. As much as you might like them to, cruise ships will not wait for you.
Pre-departure purchases - gear you will need
Keep in mind you might not have everything you will want to pack already. Odds are good you will want to purchase a new outfit, a new swimsuit, or something to make your plane trip a little more comfortable. Make sure your monthly budget can handle purchases big or small before you leave.
Miscellaneous
I always keep a bucket of my budget for miscellaneous expenses. Maybe it's for the ice cream shop we wander across, splurging at a nice restaurant, snacks at the airport, or any other things we find along the way.
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