How do I create a realistic travel budget?

Quick Answer

A realistic budget is built in three steps. First, research and sum up your major fixed costs (flights, accommodation). Second, research the average daily costs for your destination (food, local transport, activities) and multiply by the number of days. Finally, add a 15-20% buffer for unexpected expenses and souvenirs.

Break your budget into categories:

Pre-Trip Costs: Visas, travel insurance, vaccinations.
Major Transportation: Flights or long-distance trains.
Accommodation: Hotels, hostels, or Airbnbs.
Daily Expenses: Food (estimate per meal), local transport (subway passes, taxis), activities (museum tickets, tours), and a buffer for shopping or emergencies. Use a simple spreadsheet to track your estimates vs. actual spending. Travel blogs are a great resource for finding “cost of travel” posts for specific cities or countries.

How do I create a realistic travel budget?

Quick Answer

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