Travel Budget Calculator: How to Estimate Trip Cost Accurately
Estimate true trip cost by summing six categories: flights, lodging, ground transport, food ($60-100/person/day), activities ($40-80/person/day), and a 15% buffer for fees and surprises. Oceanfront's free travel budget calculator does this in 30 seconds across multiple destinations.
Key takeaways
- 6 cost categories every estimate needs
- Food typically runs $60-100/person/day
- Activities $40-80/person/day
- Always add a 15% buffer
Budget formula
Total trip cost = Flights + Lodging + Ground transport + (Food $/person/day × days × people) + (Activities $/person/day × days × people) + 15% buffer
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a vacation budget?
Add flights, lodging, ground transport, and per-person daily allowances for food and activities — then add a 15% buffer for hidden fees and surprises.
How much should I budget per day on vacation?
$150-250/person/day for mid-range US travel covers food, activities, and local transport. International varies wildly — Mexico $80, Western Europe $250-350.