Budgeting a trip that won't wreck you
The classic failure: budget the flights and hotels, forget the $40/day food and the $60 "surprise" activities. A realistic trip is flights + lodging + (per-day costs × days) plus a 10–15% buffer. This calculator separates categories so nothing hides.
Realistic daily costs (per person)
- Southeast Asia / Eastern Europe: $25–50/day food + local transport.
- Western Europe: $50–80/day food; transport $10–25/day.
- US / Japan: $50–100/day food; attractions add up fast.
- Buffer rule: add 10–15% — currency swings and one skipped bus turn into taxis.
The savings plan
Total ÷ months = your monthly target. Open a separate savings pot and automate the transfer — "I'll save whatever's left" never works. If the monthly number hurts, that's the signal to trim the trip, not to skip saving. Pair with the Debt Payoff tool if you're balancing loans against the dream trip.