About Travel Budget Calculator
A complete travel budget covers flights and transport, accommodation, food, activities and sightseeing, local transport, and a 10-15% contingency buffer. Flights typically represent 30-50% of total budget for international trips. For domestic trips, accommodation is often the dominant cost. Planning at the daily spend level helps avoid running out of money mid-trip.
Daily budget benchmarks excluding flights: Budget traveller using hostels and street food Rs 1,500-3,000 in South and Southeast Asia; Mid-range with private room and sit-down restaurants Rs 4,000-8,000; Comfortable with 3-star hotels and guided activities Rs 12,000-25,000. Track spending daily since most travellers overspend on food and activities. A dedicated travel debit card helps separate and track travel expenses automatically.
About Flight Cost Estimator
Flight prices depend on route, season, booking timing, airline type, and cabin class. Booking 6-8 weeks ahead typically gives best prices for domestic flights; 3-6 months ahead for international. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often 10-20% cheaper than weekends. The Google Flights price calendar helps find the cheapest date combinations quickly.
Hidden costs that inflate cheap fares include baggage fees Rs 500-3,000 per bag each way, seat selection fees, meal fees, and booking convenience fees. Budget airlines often end up costing as much as full-service carriers once all extras are added. When estimating road trip costs, calculate: total distance divided by fuel efficiency, times current fuel price, plus tolls and parking charges.
About Hotel Cost Estimator
Hotel rates vary by location, season, room type, and booking platform. Price tiers in India: Budget guesthouses Rs 800-2,000 per night; Mid-range 2-3 star Rs 2,500-6,000 per night; Upper mid-range Rs 6,000-15,000 per night; Luxury 5-star Rs 18,000 and above. Always compare rates across booking platforms like MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, and Agoda before reserving.
Smart strategies: book refundable rates when plans are uncertain; check hotel direct rates for special offers; use loyalty programme points for free or discounted stays. GST on hotel stays is 12% for rooms priced Rs 1,000-7,500 per night and 18% above Rs 7,500 per night. Business travellers can claim GST input tax credit on accommodation invoices.
Note: Uses approximate static exchange rates for indication only.
About Visa Cost Estimator
Visa costs vary significantly by destination, nationality, and application method. Indian passport holders require visas for most developed countries. Common costs: USA B1/B2 visa approximately $185; Schengen visa 80 euros; UK Standard Visitor visa 115 pounds; Japan eVisa approximately 3,000 yen. These application fees are non-refundable regardless of the visa decision.
Additional costs often overlooked: mandatory travel insurance required for Schengen and many other countries, medical certificates, document notarisation, courier fees for passport submission, and VFS or BLS service centre fees typically Rs 2,000-4,500 extra per application. Processing time varies from same-day for e-visas to 8-12 weeks for USA, Canada, and Australia. Always apply well in advance and ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your planned return date.