Trip Budget Calculator
Plan a trip budget by daily category — lodging, food, transport, activities — and see total cost with a buffer.
What is Trip Budget Calculator?
The trip budget calculator sums daily costs across categories plus one-time costs (flights), with a percentage buffer for unexpected expenses.
Formula
Subtotal = (daily costs sum) × days + flights. Total = subtotal × (1 + buffer%/100).
Worked example
7 days, $150 lodging + $80 food + $30 transport + $50 activities = $310/day × 7 = $2170. Plus $600 flights = $2770. With 15% buffer = $3186.
How to use this calculator
- Enter trip length and per-day costs by category.
- Add total flights/transit cost.
- Pick a buffer percentage (10–20% typical).
Frequently asked questions
What buffer percentage should I use?
15% is a good default. 25% for less-developed destinations or trips with a lot of activity options. 10% for tightly-planned trips with prepaid lodging and tours.
What's a typical food budget abroad?
U.S. cities: $60–100/day for comfortable eating. Western Europe: €60–90/day. SE Asia: $20–40/day. Japan: ¥7,000–10,000/day. Adjust based on your eating style.
Should taxis be in transport or activities?
Daily transit (airport, intercity, local taxis) → transport. Specific tour transport (bus tour, day trip transport) → activities.
What about souvenirs?
Add a separate "miscellaneous" line or include in your buffer. Easy to forget but easily $100+ over a 1-week trip.