Travel Budget Calculator
Plan your travel budget and convert costs to your home currency.
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Return flights for the whole group
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Hotel, Airbnb, or hostel per night
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Per person, including restaurants and groceries
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Taxis, metro, local buses per day
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Tours, entry fees, experiences
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Highly recommended for international travel
Common questions
How much buffer should I add to my travel budget?
Add at least 10–15% for domestic travel and 20–25% for international travel. Unexpected costs are the norm, not the exception: flight delays (extra meals/hotel), medical expenses, better-than-expected experiences you want to splurge on, local transportation costs that were higher than expected, and currency exchange losses. Running out of money abroad is significantly worse than having leftover.
What's the cheapest way to convert currency for travel?
Use a debit card with no foreign transaction fees (Niyo, HDFC ForexPlus in India; Wise, Charles Schwab in US). Avoid airport money changers (10–15% markup). Avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs with foreign transaction fees (1–3% per transaction). Never use credit card for cash advances abroad. If using forex cards, load them before travel when rates are favorable.
Should I book accommodation and flights together?
For popular destinations, book flights first (prices rise as departure approaches) and accommodation separately. Package deals from MakeMyTrip, Yatra (India) or Expedia occasionally beat separate bookings for less popular routes. Always compare total package vs individual. For Airbnb stays of 1+ week, negotiate directly with hosts for discounts.
How do I budget for food while traveling?
Daily food budget varies wildly by destination. Southeast Asia: ₹500–1,000/person/day. Europe: ₹2,000–4,000/day. Japan: ₹1,500–3,000/day. Strategies to reduce: breakfast at accommodation, grocery store for lunch, restaurant only for dinner. Street food is usually authentic and cheap. Research food budget for specific destination before setting your number.
Is travel insurance worth it?
Yes, almost always. Medical emergencies abroad are expensive: a hospital visit in the US can cost $5,000–50,000. Emergency evacuation from a remote location: $20,000–80,000. Travel insurance typically costs 4–8% of trip cost and covers medical, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency evacuation. The one time you need it covers 10 years of premiums. Always buy travel insurance for international trips.