Travel hacks: a holiday budget calculator

I excel at forgetting about hidden holiday costs. They’re not even that hidden really – those last-minute splurges at the airport? Oh yes. Using a rough exchange rate calculation in my head that doesn’t always work in my favour? Ah yes. Deciding I’ll treat myself to a souvenir/extra cocktail/local speciality as I might never get the chance again? Erm…

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I’ve never been hugely tempted by all-inclusive resorts though. I can understand why they work for some people (and in some locations) but feeling thankful I didn’t have to eat the unchanging buffet at one hotel in Tunisia day after day has put me off.

Besides I love to get out and explore, try the local food, enjoy the atmosphere in the local restaurants – and there’s another holiday expense added to the tally.

But with a bit of forethought and thriftiness at home, wincing at the credit card bill needn’t be the overriding memory of the trip. Step forward TUI’s Holiday Budget Calculator, to help you work out how much you’re likely to spend – click here to start working out your own personal budget.

For more tips on saving money on city breaks, check out more of my tips here

It starts by asking you to choose the destination, then the type of holiday, followed by accommodation and plans to eat out and activities.

So if you’ve booked a holiday and have a plan, but want to know what your costs will be, it’s a good starting point. If you haven’t booked yet and want the overall figure or a comparison, you can also play around – plus if you already have an idea your budget and simply want to buy your currency, you’ll know if you’re along the right lines.

So, if you’re umming and aahing between mainland Spain, the Balearics and the Canary Islands, you could check out variations and see what the total is for each based on a similar set of meals out, drinks, shopping and activities.

The costs are based on the average price of holiday ‘essentials’, but adapted for the price of living in different countries or cities. You simply have to tell it what you realistically think you’ll want to do. (Then, if you’re being honest, go back and change one glass of wine per day to the real amount).

The calculator doesn’t remember the last set of values you entered which does mean that if you’re comparing a week at Easter in two different locations, you will have to enter the same information each time with a different starting point.

And if you hit the wrong button, you can’t easily go back and change it without completely restarting which is slightly irritating.

But if you’re wondering what difference it might make to have dinner out every day and lunch a few times in a week, versus all-inclusive or half-board accommodation, you can adapt it to show you the best option for the budget.

You can’t choose the activities you include, purely the number you plan in a week, but it’s an added bonus to see how it varies in case that sways the final decision.

There’s to check the currency rates and buy them too, and there are destinations around the world to choose from

But for a starting idea of how much to set aside, not counting those last-minute extravagances (well, you are on holiday), this is a great tool to help budget.

 

Image courtesy of Depositphotos