Planning a trip can be daunting, especially when it comes to budgeting. But with the UK Skyscanner Travel Budget Calculator, you can easily estimate how far your travel budget will go travelling from the UK to popular holiday destinations.
Just add how many people are in your group, how much money you have to spend and where you want to go. Our cost calculator will tell you how long your next trip can be and provide tips on how to make the most of your travel budget whilst you’re there.
How To Plan Your Trip With Our Travel Budget Calculator
If you’re planning a trip from the UK, the Skyscanner Holiday Budget Calculator can help you budget your trip effectively. 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! 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!
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.
How to Travel on a Budget
Consider these tips to make the most of your holiday while staying within your spending limits:
- Avoid the most expensive places. 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.
- Skip the entrance fees and enjoy free attractions. Many tourist cities provide free access to cultural attractions like museums and churches. Some cities also offer free walking tours, allowing you to explore famous landmarks while learning from tour guides.
- Use a travel credit card. Using a travel credit card is one way to minimise any budget loss through foreign exchange rates and currency conversions. For example, use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. You might save a pretty penny while travelling on holiday. Often, these cards offer rewards for major travel expenses.
- Eat like a local. Eating out can be expensive. Try street food, farmers’ markets or buying ingredients to cook meals in your accommodation.
- Take advantage of public transportation. 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 an European holiday, consider using a Eurail pass to take multiple trains or ride-sharing services.
Save on flights and accommodation to have more spending money
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. Use Skyscanner to compare prices across airlines and find the cheapest deals on flights leaving the UK.
To save even 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.
UK travel budget FAQ
We answer a few top questions about travelling from the UK to popular holiday destinations on a dime.
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.
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.
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.
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 £4 to £9.
Mid-range/sit-down restaurants. Depending on the city and restaurant, you can expect to pay around £9 to £18 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 £44 to £88 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.
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.
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
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