We’re a credit union, so, of course, we’re a bit nerdy about budgets. But hear us out—creating a travel budget isn’t about crushing your vacation dreams. It’s about making sure you can fully enjoy your trip without a nagging feeling that you’re spending too much (or forgetting something major). After all, a little planning now means fewer money surprises later. Here’s how to build a smart, realistic travel budget (so you can relax, have fun, and return with zero regrets).
1. Figure Out Where You’re Going and When
Start with the basics. Where do you want to go, and for how long? Your destination, the time of year, and how far in advance you book will affect prices. A weekend in Bend will cost more in the summer and during ski season. A trip to Disneyland? More expensive in summer than in early fall.
✈Pro Tip: Check travel websites or apps to compare prices across dates. Shifting your trip by even a few days could save you hundreds.
2. Break Down the Big Costs
Create a list of all your expected expenses. Here are the main categories most travelers need to include:
- Getting there: Flights, gas, rental cars, rideshares, or train tickets
- Where you’ll stay: Hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds, etc.
- What you’ll eat: Restaurants, groceries, coffee stops, snacks
- What you’ll do: Tours, concerts, museums, rentals
- The extras: Tips, travel insurance, baggage fees, parking, souvenirs
Do a little digging online and estimate the costs for each category. You don’t need to be exact, but aim to get as close as possible and avoid surprises. Use travel sites like Expedia, Google Flights, or Airbnb to check prices in real time.
✈ Pro Tip: Add a “just in case” buffer. Add about 10% in every category to avoid surprises.
3. Plan for Daily Spending
Take your total estimated cost and divide it by the number of days you’ll be traveling. Ta-da! That’s your daily spending target.
Let’s say your total trip budget is $1,200 for 4 days. That’s about $300 per day. Knowing this helps you decide whether that $60 zipline tour or $15 smoothie is really worth it.
✈ Pro: Avoid hidden fees—like resort fees, parking charges, and baggage fees—by reading the fine print and asking questions before you book.
4. Start Saving Early
Now that you know how much your trip might cost, it’s time to start saving. Open a separate savings account for your travel fund (we can help with that) and set up automatic transfers—weekly or monthly—from your checking account. Use any extra income, such as tax refunds, bonuses, or cashback rewards, to boost your funds.
✈ Pro Tip: You can create a custom-named savings goal in your Maps Credit Union account to track your progress.
5. Use Tech to Stay on Track
The good news is, you don’t have to do this all by hand. There are tons of tools that make building (and sticking to) your travel budget easier.
- Budgeting apps like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or EveryDollar can help you set travel-specific spending limits and track your progress.
- Spreadsheets are great if you like customizing your own system. Set up columns for flights, food, lodging, activities, and daily spending to get a clear picture.
- Travel deal websites like Hopper, Kayak, and Google Flights can help you track when prices drop or compare options.
- Parking and transit apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz can help you avoid surprise fees and find cheaper ways to get around.
✈ Pro Tip: You can even set up text or mobile alerts in your Maps Credit Union account to track your travel spending in real-time.
6. Use Credit (Wisely) If You Need To
While it’s awesome to pay for travel with money you’ve already saved, a credit card can be useful for booking hotels, rental cars, and flights—especially if you’re earning rewards or points.
If you use credit cards, be smart about it. Use your card only for planned expenses and alert your bank or credit card company of your travel dates and destinations. Add your card to your digital wallet so you can pay securely without pulling out your physical card. Sign up for account alerts to help you monitor your card’s usage and detect fraudulent charges quickly. Don’t spend more than you can pay off within a month, and avoid cash advances (because the fees are brutal).
And that’s it! A good vacation doesn’t have to blow your budget. With a little planning, a few smart choices, and a savings plan that works for you, you can enjoy your trip—and the peace of mind that comes with it.