The five big costs
| Item | What it covers | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | Return tickets | Bag and seat fees if they aren't included |
| Accommodation | Hotel or apartment for every night | Taxes and city fees sometimes paid on arrival |
| Transport | Airport transfers, between cities, around town | Moving between cities may need a domestic flight |
| Food | Three meals a day per person | Tourist restaurants cost far more than local ones |
| Activities | Tours, tickets, boat trips | Book the important ones early, some sell out |
The hidden costs everyone forgets
- Card fees: foreign purchase fees and ATM fees add up over a trip.
- Internet: roaming without a plan can cost more than a whole SIM card.
- Visa and travel insurance: fixed costs you pay before you go.
- Tips: in some countries they're an expected part of the service at restaurants, hotels and on tours.
- Airport and in-flight food: especially with children and on long layovers.
- Shopping and gifts: set a fixed amount from the start, instead of eating into your daily budget.
A simple budget formula
Budget = fixed costs + (daily spend × number of days) + 10 to 15% buffer
Fixed costs are what you know before you go: flights, hotel, visa, insurance and airport transfers. Daily spend is food, local transport and small activities, per person. To estimate it, look up meal and transport prices in the city itself, not the country in general: the gap between a capital and other areas can be large.
How to save without losing the fun
- Travel just outside peak season: the weeks before and after are cheaper, and the weather is usually fine.
- Book early: flight and hotel prices usually rise as the date gets closer, especially around holidays.
- Be flexible with dates: moving your flight a day or two can lower the fare.
- Choose breakfast included: it saves a meal every day, especially for families.
- Compare a package with booking separately: packages are sometimes cheaper than their parts, because agencies contract hotels directly.
Our advice: tell us your budget honestly from the start. We'll design the trip to fit it (the hotel, the area, the number of nights) instead of sending a quote that doesn't suit you.