Plan your holiday budget properly. Enter flights, accommodation, daily spending and other costs to see the full trip total, cost per person, and how much you need to save each month to afford it.
Last updated: April 2026
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How to budget for a holiday
The most common mistake in holiday budgeting is focusing on the headline cost - usually flights and accommodation - while underestimating daily spending once you arrive. Food and drink, activities, local transport, shopping, and small incidentals typically add £30–£80 per person per day, which on a 10-night trip for two people represents £600–£1,600 that many people do not account for when booking.
Building in a buffer
Travel budgets almost always run over. Currency exchange rates move, restaurants cost more than expected, a spontaneous excursion presents itself, or luggage fees appear at check-in that were not anticipated. A 10% buffer on the total estimated cost is a practical minimum. For first-time visits to a destination, 15–20% is more prudent as costs are harder to predict.
Travel insurance - do not skip it
Travel insurance is one of the most undervalued items in a holiday budget. The cost is typically £20–£100 for a two-week trip for two people, depending on destination and cover level. Medical costs abroad - particularly in the USA - can run to tens of thousands of pounds without cover. Cancellation cover can protect the full cost of the holiday if you need to cancel due to illness or a family emergency. Annual multi-trip policies are more cost-effective for anyone taking more than two holidays per year.
Frequently asked questions
Daily spending in Western Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal) typically runs £60–£120 per person per day including food, local transport and activities, but excluding accommodation. Eastern European destinations (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary) tend to be 30–50% cheaper. City breaks in major capitals (Paris, Amsterdam, Rome) skew higher. Long-haul destinations vary widely - Southeast Asia can be £20–£40 per day all-in for budget travellers, while the US and Australia tend to be closer to Western European prices or higher.
A fee-free travel credit card (such as those from Chase, Starling, Monzo, or Barclaycard) is almost always the best option for spending abroad. You get the real exchange rate with no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection under Section 75, and clear transaction records. ATM withdrawals abroad can also be fee-free on certain cards. Carrying some local cash for small purchases and markets is sensible, but relying primarily on a travel card avoids unfavourable exchange rates at airport bureaux de change, which typically charge 5–10% above the market rate.
Research consistently suggests that the sweet spot for booking European flights is 1–4 months before departure. For long-haul, 3–6 months is typically optimal. Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays is generally cheaper than Fridays and Sundays. Booking early morning or late evening flights tends to be cheaper than peak departure times. Being flexible on dates - even by one or two days - can save significantly, and travelling in shoulder season (May–June, September–October for Mediterranean destinations) rather than peak summer offers both lower prices and smaller crowds.