Trip Budget Planner

Get a realistic breakdown of what your trip will cost — flights, hotels, food, and everything in between.

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Select a destination above to see your estimated budget breakdown.

What's included in the estimate

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Flights

Roundtrip economy from the US, estimated by region. The biggest variable — a price alert can save $100–$400 per person.

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Accommodation

~42% of daily on-ground budget. Scales from hostel dorms (budget) to boutique hotels (luxury).

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Food & Drink

~28% of daily budget. Covers breakfast through dinner and an evening drink or two.

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Activities

~20% of daily budget. Museums, day trips, tours — varies widely by destination and style.

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Local Transport

~10% of daily budget. Metro, bus, and occasional taxis to get around the city.

Not included

Travel insurance (~$50–150), checked bag fees (~$30–60 pp each way), visa fees, and pre-trip shopping.

3 ways to cut the biggest costs

  1. 1
    Set a flight price alert: Flights are 30–50% of your total budget and can swing $200–$400 depending on when you book. Track fares with a Wildly alert and book when prices dip.
  2. 2
    Travel in shoulder season: Shoulder season (spring and fall in Europe; dry season edges in the tropics) cuts flight AND hotel costs by 20–35% vs peak. Use the Should I Book Now tool to find the right months.
  3. 3
    Eat where locals eat: Lunch menus at non-tourist restaurants often cost 30–50% less than dinner, with the same or better food. In Paris, a plat du jour runs €13–16; tourist-trap areas charge €22–28 for the same dish.

Common questions

How much does an international trip cost from the US?

A 7-day trip to Europe typically costs $1,500–$3,000 per person including flights. A budget traveler can do Western Europe for around $1,800 all-in (budget accommodation, street food, free museums). Mid-range is $2,500–$3,500. Luxury starts at $5,000+. Southeast Asia is cheaper: a 10-day mid-range trip often runs $1,500–$2,000 per person including flights.

What is the biggest expense on an international trip?

Flights are almost always the largest single expense, typically 30–50% of the total trip budget. This is also where the most savings are available — setting a fare alert to catch price drops can save $100–$400 per person on a typical international roundtrip.

How accurate is the budget estimate?

The estimates are based on real destination cost-of-living data and typical US flight prices by region. They represent averages — your actual costs will vary based on specific accommodation choices, dining habits, exchange rates, and how far in advance you book flights. Use this as a planning baseline and research specific hotels and activities for precision.

How can I reduce my trip budget?

The two highest-impact strategies are: (1) book flights at the right time — use a fare alert to catch prices when they dip below average, saving $100–$400 per person; and (2) travel in shoulder season rather than peak (July–August in Europe, winter in the Caribbean) to cut both flights and hotels by 20–35%. Choosing budget accommodation and eating where locals eat reduces day-to-day costs significantly.

Should I budget in local currency or USD?

Budget in USD for planning purposes, then check the current exchange rate before you travel. Exchange rates can shift your effective budget by 5–15% over the course of a year. As a rule, use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for purchases abroad to avoid the typical 3% markup.

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