Multi-currency & travel: How to budget for a long-haul holiday, from flights to daily costs
A long-haul holiday budget starts with flights, then adds accommodation, a daily spending figure, insurance and costs before you go like visas and vaccinations. In a worked example, two weeks for two people costs about 5,000.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A long-haul holiday budget starts with flights, then accommodation and daily spending.
- In a worked example, two weeks for two people costs about 5,000.
- Flights are the biggest cost, so book early and be flexible with dates.
- Budget for visas, vaccinations, insurance and a day or two of jet lag.
What goes into a long-haul holiday budget?
A long-haul holiday, to a destination many hours away by plane, is often the biggest trip people take. Flights are a large part of the cost, so the budget looks different from a short break closer to home. Start with flights, then add accommodation, a daily spending figure for food, transport and activities, and the costs before you go, like insurance, visas and vaccinations. In a worked example, two weeks for two people costs about 5,000.
Destinations vary hugely. Flights to some places cost far more than others, and daily costs can be low in one country and high in the next. Research both before settling on a destination. A cheaper flight to an expensive city can end up costing more than a pricier flight to a country where meals and rooms cost little. Adding up flights plus a realistic daily figure for each option gives a fair comparison.
Timing matters as much as the place. Many long-haul destinations have rainy or very hot seasons when prices drop. Travelling just before or after the busiest months often brings good weather and lower costs. Checking local holidays matters too, since prices can jump when the whole country is travelling at the same time as you.
What does a long-haul holiday cost?
Here's a worked example of two weeks for two people, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | 1,800 |
| Accommodation | 1,400 |
| Daily spending | 1,400 |
| Insurance, visas and vaccinations | 250 |
| Getting to the airport | 150 |
| Total | 5,000 |
Flights are 900 each. Accommodation is 100 a night and daily spending is 100 a day for two, covering food, local transport and activities.
What are the main long-haul holiday costs?
Flights
Flights are usually the biggest single cost. Prices change a lot with the season, the day of the week and how far ahead you book. Flexible dates, nearby airports and flights with a stop can save a lot. How to save money on flights has more tips.
Accommodation
In many long-haul destinations, accommodation can be cheaper than at home, especially outside big cities. Mixing cheaper guesthouses with a few nicer nights keeps the average down. Staying a little outside the busiest areas, close to public transport, often costs much less and gives you a more local feel.
Daily spending
Food, local transport, activities and tips make up your daily budget. Research typical costs at your destination before you go. The daily travel budget covers how to set one.
Costs before you go
Visas, vaccinations, travel insurance and sometimes medicines need paying for weeks before you leave. Check what's needed early, since some take time. Is travel insurance worth it? covers choosing a policy.
What else should a long-haul budget include?
Jet lag means the first day or two can be slow, so plan easy, cheap days at the start. Long flights may need meals or snacks at the airport and comfort items like a neck pillow. Currency matters too: card fees and poor exchange rates can quietly add up. How much cash to travel with covers handling money abroad. Keep a small buffer for surprises, like a missed connection or a taxi when a bus doesn't come. Something like a tenth of the daily budget, set aside and only touched when needed, usually covers it.
How can you cut the cost of a long-haul holiday?
Book flights early and be flexible
Set price alerts and compare dates. Flying midweek or outside school holidays can save a lot.
Choose a cheaper destination
Some long-haul destinations have low daily costs, which can balance out higher flight prices. Two weeks somewhere with cheap food and accommodation can cost less overall than a short trip to an expensive city.
Stay longer, travel slower
Since flights are the big cost, staying longer spreads them across more days. Slow travel, with fewer moves between places, also cuts transport costs.
Eat where locals eat
Local markets, street food and small restaurants cost far less than tourist spots and hotel restaurants.
How do you save for a long-haul holiday?
Divide the total by the months until you go. For 5,000 in a year, that's about 420 a month. Budget for a trip abroad covers planning a trip from start to finish.
How do you track a long-haul holiday in Wealtie?
Set a budget for the trip and log costs in a travel category among your expense categories. Wealtie supports 68 currencies, and each account keeps its own, so you can log spending in the local currency and see your totals converted with multi-currency support.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, two weeks for two people costs about 5,000, including flights, accommodation, daily spending, insurance and getting to the airport.
Flights are usually the biggest cost, so booking early and being flexible with dates saves the most.
Book flights early, choose a destination with low daily costs, stay longer and eat where locals eat.
Visas, vaccinations, insurance, getting to the airport, card fees and a buffer for surprises.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
