Travel Budget Template Printable
One-Minute Summary
This printable travel budget template organizes trip expenses into categories — flights, lodging, food, activities, and misc. Plan your budget before the trip with estimated amounts, then track actual spending as you go. Compare planned vs. actual to stay on track or learn for next time. Print on U.S. Letter paper, take it with you, and avoid post-trip sticker shock. Works for any trip length or budget level.
Preview & Download
Print Settings
- Paper: U.S. Letter (8.5" × 11")
- Orientation: portrait
- Scale: 100%
- Margins: Default (0.5")
- 💡 Print and track during the trip. Compare planned vs. actual when you return.
What’s on this travel budget
This template organizes trip expenses into categories. Plan before you go, track during the trip, compare when you return.
Flights/transportation covers airfare, rental car, gas, Uber. Lodging is hotel or Airbnb per night. Food & drinks — often underestimated — budget per day or per meal. Activities & misc includes tours, souvenirs, tips, insurance. Add a 10–15% buffer for surprises.
How to use this budget — 2 real scenarios
Scenario 1: Budget-conscious weekend trip
You set a $400 cap. Flight $120, hotel $180, food $80, activities $20. Track as you spend. By Sunday you know if you’re on track. The template prevents “I’ll deal with it later” overspending.
Scenario 2: 1-week family vacation
Lodging is the big expense. You fill in estimated, then actual. Kids want an extra theme park expense — you see the impact and decide. The budget gives you permission to spend on what matters and skip what doesn’t.
Example fill-out
Planned: Flights $280, Lodging $420, Food $200, Activities $150, Misc $50. Total: $1,100.
Actual: Flights $280, Lodging $420, Food $235, Activities $140, Misc $65. Total: $1,140 (over by $40 — food and misc).
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Underestimating food. Restaurant meals cost more than home. Budget $50–75 per person per day.
- Forgetting taxes, fees, tips. Hotel taxes, baggage fees, tips — they add up.
- Not tracking during the trip. Track daily. Post-trip is too late to adjust.
- No buffer. Add 10–15% for surprises.
- Ignoring small purchases. Coffee, snacks — track it or budget a daily misc cap.
Customization tips
Use before and during: Estimate before booking. Track actual during the trip. Compare when home.
Sync with Travel Itinerary: Note estimated costs next to activities. Cross-reference for accuracy.
Currency conversion: For international travel, note exchange rate. Convert at trip end.
Printing Tips
- Print on U.S. Letter (8.5" × 11") in portrait orientation
- Scale: 100% (do not use "Fit to Page")
- Margins: Default (0.5")
- 💡 Print and track during the trip. Compare planned vs. actual when you return.
Next step in your meal prep workflow:
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Helpful Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget per day for food?
In the U.S.: $50–75 per person per day for moderate dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner, maybe a coffee or snack). More for fine dining or premium locations. Less if you're doing groceries or cooking. International: varies widely by destination.
Should I include travel insurance in the budget?
Yes. Travel insurance (medical, trip cancellation) typically costs 4–10% of trip cost. It's a real expense. Add to misc or create a separate line. Worth it for international or expensive trips.
How do I track spending during the trip?
Daily: jot expenses in the Actual column. Use your phone notes or the printed sheet. At day's end: sum up. Takes 2–3 minutes. Keeps you aware and allows mid-trip adjustments if you're overspending.
What if I go over budget?
Identify where. Often food and misc. Cut back on remaining days — fewer restaurants, skip non-essential souvenirs. Or accept the overage and use it to plan better next time. The goal is awareness, not perfection.
Should I budget for souvenirs?
Yes, in misc. Allocate an amount — $50, $100 — and stick to it. Souvenirs add up fast. Having a number prevents regret purchases and post-trip 'how did I spend that?'
What about group travel — split costs?
Track total, then divide. Or track your share from the start. For shared lodging, note your portion. For group dinners, note your split. Keeps personal budget accurate.