How do I plan a trip without overspending?

Trip budgets fail because the headline costs get planned and the rest gets discovered. Flights and accommodation are often less than half the total, and the remainder is entirely foreseeable if you write it down before booking.

What you'll need

• Spreadsheet or notes
• Comparison sites (optional)
• Travel insurance (optional)

Step by step

1. Set a total budget for the whole trip before looking at anything.One number for everything. Otherwise the flight becomes the budget and everything else is extra.
2. List every cost category, not just travel and accommodation.Transfers, local transport, food, activities, insurance, parking, pet or house sitting, and spending money.
3. Check whether dates are flexible, and by how much.Flexibility affects cost more than any booking technique. Even shifting by a day or two changes prices substantially.
4. Compare the total cost of options rather than the headline price.A cheaper flight to a distant airport with an expensive transfer at an awkward hour may cost more overall.
5. Budget for food realistically.It is frequently underestimated. Self-catering for some meals changes the total significantly.
6. Buy travel insurance when you book, not before you travel.It covers cancellation from the point of purchase, which is much of what it is for.
7. Check passport validity and any entry requirements early.Many countries require several months of remaining validity. Discovering this late is expensive.
8. Keep a contingency of around 10%.Something always comes up. A contingency turns it into a minor annoyance rather than a problem.

Tips

• Travelling outside school holidays makes a very large difference to cost if your circumstances allow it.
• Booking accommodation with a kitchen changes the food budget substantially on a longer trip.
• Check what your bank charges for foreign transactions and cash withdrawals — the difference over a trip can be significant.

Common mistakes

• Budgeting only for flights and accommodation — They are often less than half the real total, so the trip runs over before it starts.
• Buying insurance just before travelling — Much of its value is cancellation cover, which only applies from the point of purchase.
• Not checking passport validity early — Many countries require several months of remaining validity, and last-minute renewal is expensive.

Questions people ask