Holiday Budget Calculator: Plan your Trip

Planning a trip can be daunting, especially when it comes to budgeting. But it’s simple with Skyscanner.

With the UK Skyscanner Travel Budget Calculator, you can work out how far your travel budget will stretch when flying from the UK to popular holiday destinations.

Add how many people are in your group, where you want to go and how much money you have to spend. We’ll do the rest.

How to plan a trip with our holiday budget calculator

Plan your holiday budget now

If you’re planning a trip from the UK, the Skyscanner Holiday Budget Calculator can help you budget your trip effectively.

The Skyscanner calculator will total the average prices of flights, hotels and rental cars for your visit and provide you with links to book them.

It also shows you the average cost of meals. The calculator includes estimated meal expenses, so you can estimate the total trip cost per person per day, helping you determine how long you can realistically afford to stay at your destination.

With our budget planner, you can plan the perfect holiday adventure. Start your journey now.

Here’s how to use it:

First, specify how many people you need to budget for the trip. Select “Group budget” if you’re travelling as a family or estimate an individual budget if you’re travelling with friends who will pay their own way.
Next, enter the estimated total budget you can spend.
Finally, set your starting point and pick your destination among some of the most popular ones.

Is the estimate too high? That’s because we’ve based it on average travel prices, which are usually higher.

If you book ahead and use Skyscanner’s flights, hotels and car rental search to explore options and different dates, you may find cheaper prices and deals for your unique holiday trip.

Toptip

-Travel light to avoid checked bag fees

-Travel during off-peak seasons to find the best deals

-Pick alternative and less popular destinations

How to plan a trip on a budget

Consider these money-saving tips

There are plenty of ways you can cut the cost of your trip, and it all starts with your planning. The first thing to consider is when you travel.

Flight and accommodation prices will usually be much higher during peak season. Think school holidays – during the summer, over Christmas and the two half terms. Simply by travelling outside these peak times, you can cut the cost of your trip.

Shoulder season (September to October & April to May) is always a good option as the weather will be fairly decent and good for exploring too. You can discover the best time to book your trip to save money.

While certain cities like Paris, Dubai, Berlin and New York City are popular tourist destinations, they’re also some of the most expensive places to visit. Consider exploring smaller international towns that still offer plenty of authentic experiences. Our holiday budget calculator is a great place to start to get an idea of how much a potential trip may cost you.

When it comes to flights, try to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. Consider booking flights to alternate airports or flying from UK cities outside London to save money.

With Skyscanner, you can search for flight prices across a month using our Whole Month search to find the cheapest days during the month. We’ll also tell you the cheapest month to fly with our Cheapest Month search. Plus, you can set a Skyscanner Price Alert, so we’ll let you know as soon as the price changes.

Try to travel as light as possible too. If you can stick within your cabin baggage allowance you’ll cut checked baggage fees and can breeze through departures and arrivals. See the cabin baggage allowance for popular airlines in our guide.

Finally, there’s nothing like bagging a last-minute flight deal. Our flight deals page is updated regularly to showcase the best offers you can book at short notice.

How to travel on a budget

How to save money when you’re away

Once you’ve booked your trip, the money-saving doesn’t stop. It’s key to set your budget and stick to it. The following tips should help.

Be as flexible and organised as possible

To save more, stay in less luxurious accommodations, like hostels or budget hotels, or outside the city centre. Search our Skyscanner hotel comparison tool to find the most affordable lodgings. Look for free attractions when you’re at your destination. Some cities also offer free walking tours, allowing you to explore famous landmarks while learning from tour guides. When it comes to your holiday budget, consider using a pre-paid travel money card. This way, you can load your daily spend onto your card and stick within your budget each day.

Eat like a local

Eating out is one of your biggest expenses when you’re travelling. You can dramatically save on your holiday budget by choosing local places like street food vendors and markets. Look for recommendations online for cheap places to eat away from the main tourist areas. And consider buying local ingredients to whip something up at your accommodation.

Use public transport

Public transportation can reduce travel costs. Most major global cities have convenient buses, metros and trams for getting around town without needing more expensive transportation, like renting a car or hailing taxis. And if you’re planning a European holiday, consider using a Eurail pass to take multiple trains or ride-sharing services.

UK travel budget FAQ

How can I save on accommodation while on holiday?

The following tips can help you save on accommodation costs while travelling:

Book in advance. Hotels, hostels and holiday rentals may offer discounts if you book early, especially during slower seasons.
Consider the location. Popular tourist areas tend to be more expensive. Stay in a nearby neighbourhood well-connected by public transportation.
Vary your options. Don’t limit yourself to hotels or hostels. Consider budget-friendly holiday rentals, guesthouses or camping.
Be flexible with dates. Travel during low-season or midweek to save money.
Use a hotel comparison site. Skyscanner’s hotel booking tool allows you to compare prices from a wide range of hotels, hostels and holiday rentals.

What are the biggest travel expenses while on holiday?

When planning a trip from the UK to your holiday destination, the biggest expenses tend to be:

Transportation
Airfare
Lodging
Food

These core expenses can add up quickly, but with smart budgeting, you can save money and still have a great trip.
Keep in mind there are expenses beyond these. You may need to pay for travel documents, like visas or travel insurance, additional fees for baggage or seat reservations, exchange rates and transaction fees for currency conversion. Some international cities also charge a tourist tax based on the length of your stay and your accommodation type.

How much should I budget for food when travelling on holiday?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should budget for food, as it can vary widely depending on your preferences, itinerary, travel style and the countries you visit. However, there are ways to control your food expenses while enjoying local cuisine.
One cost-saving strategy is to shop at local markets to cook meals. If you eat out, stick to your budget and avoid splurges.
Here are typical prices for one meal at different types of restaurants:

Fast food. You can find popular fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King throughout various global cities. A meal at these restaurants typically costs around £5 to £11.
Mid-range/sit-down restaurants. Depending on the city and restaurant, you can expect to pay around £10 to £35 for a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
Upscale restaurants. If you want a fine dining experience, be prepared to pay. Prices can range from £50 to £100 or even more per meal, depending on the restaurant’s reputation and location.
In many international cities, you can also find street vendors selling delicious and affordable meals. So, with flexibility, you can enjoy delightful cuisine while on holiday without breaking the bank.

Why should I plan my holiday budget?

By planning your holiday budget before you travel, it gives you an idea of the potential destinations you can travel to within your budget. By looking at flights, accommodation, insurance and costs on the ground, then creating a budget you’ll know the destinations that are within reach. And when you arrive at your destination, working to a daily holiday budget means that you won’t end up spending more than you can afford.

Is it worth renting a car at my destination?

Renting a car at your holiday destination is a tricky question. It largely depends on where you’re going. Renting a car is worth considering if you plan to visit rural areas or mountains. Some places are very car-centric; without one, you’ll be limited in your ability to explore. However, renting a car might be unnecessary if you plan to stay in large cities and rely on public transportation.
One major benefit of renting a car in certain cities is getting off the beaten path and experiencing more local culture. You can see smaller towns inaccessible by public transportation and explore at your own pace.
If you want to rent a car, it’s best to book in advance using Skyscanner’s car rental tool, which compares prices from hundreds of car rental companies at your destination. The tool helps you find the best deal and choose from a range of car models to suit your budget.

How can I save on flights from the UK?

Saving on flights from the UK is possible if you plan and can be flexible. We provide some tips to help you find the best flight deals.

Be flexible with your dates. Travel during off-peak seasons and weekdays to find lower-priced flights.

Be flexible with your seating options. Fly economy or basic economy instead of premium or business class.

Be flexible with your layovers. Choose flights with longer layovers, as nonstop flights are usually more expensive.

Be flexible with your luggage add-ons. Check if you can travel with a carry-on and avoid paying for checked bags.

Use a site that compares flight options. Skyscanner allows you to compare prices across different airlines and find the cheapest flights.

By being flexible and using comparison sites, you can save a significant amount of money on your holiday flights from the UK.

Methodology
Flight, hotel, car rental and meal prices were collected to determine how far your travel budget can go. Flight prices were sourced from Skyscanner’s internal flight data, where the origin city accounted for all airports in each destination city. Hotel prices were collected from Skyscanner’s hotel booking tool, where the prices of the top 10 hotels under the category “Best” were averaged. Specifically, the rooms looked at were for two adults, and the calculator adjusts the number of rooms needed based on the number of travellers.

Car rental prices were collected from Skyscanner’s car rental tool, where the prices of the five cheapest rental cars in each size category were averaged. The travel budget calculator identifies the cheapest combination of rental cars needed for travel groups larger than seven. Meal prices were collected from Numbeo.

Flight, hotel and car rental data were sourced from Skyscanner’s internal data. Meal price data was sourced from Numbeo. All cost figures are estimates, which may not reflect the actual price. Values are subject to change.

The data shown by the calculator are estimated using the sources indicated but might not reflect the actual prices. These values are subject to change based on booking time frame, destination, etc.

About Skyscanner
Skyscanner helps travellers find and reach their dream destinations as easily and affordably as possible. We compile all available travel options and ideas into one easy-to-navigate place. Let the journey begin.

Fair Use Statement
Finding your next travel destination has never been easier, even on a budget. If you know someone who might benefit from our findings, you’re welcome to share this with them. Just be sure your purposes are noncommercial, and that you provide a link to this page.

Now you know how to save on your holiday budget before you travel and when you’re on holiday, you can start planning your perfect trip.

Thinking of travelling soon? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.