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- Updated: April 17, 2023
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9 Best Free☝️ Google Sheets Travel Budget Templates for 2023
Planning for a vacation is undoubtedly one of the more exciting budgeting exercises you can do. Even a business trip can be an occasion to look forward to.
However, a lack of proper planning can result in a flop of a holiday or a business trip rather than a fabulous or productive one.
But that doesn’t have to be you. In this article, we review some of the best Google Sheets travel budget templates to help you prepare for your long-awaited break or business trip!
1. Free Downloadable Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Free Downloadable Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Free-Downloadable-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
Designed by Vertex42
If your itinerary is going to be jam-packed with lots of stopovers and plenty of travel activities to see and do, the Free Downloadable Travel Budget Template by Vertex42 is an excellent option.
It is so user-friendly and ideally suited to travel planning, with a graph that depicts the sum totals of your budget categories so that you can view how these costs are going without necessarily having to go back to the drawing board to establish where you overspend.
2.Daily Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Daily Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Daily-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
Designed by Charlie Marchant
The Daily Travel Budget Template by Charlie Marchant is an excellent step-by-step guide to use if you have a jam-packed travel trip coming up that requires you to track daily expenses more carefully.
What’s unique about this travel budget template is that you have a local currency column and a home currency column you can use for comparison purposes.
And then there’s also a total budget row that you can compare to the sum of your daily totals to see if you are edging towards going over budget or keeping to the plan .
3. Artist Tour Budget Template
![google travel budget Artist Tour Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Artist-Tour-Budget-Template.png)
Designed by The Crafty Musician
The Artist Tour Budget Template by The Crafty Musician is a great touring budget if you plan on going from place to place and want to enjoy yourself in the process while not being too preoccupied by expenses that go with the territory.
This budget template also has a special column for venue prices depending on the town you’re in, so you can pick the most profitable venue for you depending on your tour goals and the spend you have available – which, of course, relies on how your trip pans out while you’re visiting each destination.
4. Business Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Business Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Business-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
Designed by Spreadsheet Daddy
The Business Travel Budget by Spreadsheet Daddy is designed nicely for business trip expenses. This spreadsheet should help you monitor and account for expenses on a business trip for record-keeping purposes.
Category expenses that this budget template include are airfare, hotel, car rental, gas, entertainment, food, and other miscellaneous costs.
5. Corporate Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Corporate Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Corporate-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
Since a corporate travel budget needs to be a little more finessed than the norm, this spreadsheet template by Spreadsheet Daddy is the one to use to accurately record typical corporate travel costs in a neat and corporate-looking document for future company reference.
6. Family Travel Template
![google travel budget Family Travel Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Family-Travel-Template.png)
The Family Travel Template by Spreadsheet is perfect for your next family vacation. It has a place for listing itineraries and transportation details.
If you need a helpful reminder on what to pack, this template has a section for that, too, so you won’t forget the essentials when you and your family depart on a long journey.
7. Study Abroad Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Study Abroad Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Study-Abroad-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
Studying and living abroad can be costly. Take control over your new lifestyle expenses with The Study Abroad Travel Budget Template by Spreadsheet Daddy and jot down the main category expenses to avoid being caught unawares regarding unanticipated expenses in a new country.
8. Sales Travel Budget
![google travel budget Sales Travel Budget](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sales-Travel-Budget.png)
The Sales Travel Budget Template is ideal for recording all the sales you make while on your travels. You can even use filters to establish what you sold more of and when this occurred to validate your trip.
9. Year-Long Travel Budget Template
![google travel budget Year-Long Travel Budget Template](https://spreadsheetdaddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Year-Long-Travel-Budget-Template.png)
The Year-Long Travel Budget Template by Spreadsheet Daddy is a good example to use if you are a perpetual traveler and require a suitable budget for year-round travel.
You can even record miles traveled, how much time you spent traveling during daylight hours and during the night, and additional expenses incurred. You can gain insights and reflect on how your travels were spent and if the trip was optimized as much as possible.
Does Google Sheets have a travel budget template?
Google Sheets does not have a travel budget template that you can download within its standard templates. However, there are plenty of free travel budget templates available for download that you can access simply by clicking on the links shown above. Perhaps best of all is the fact you can customize these spreadsheet templates to personify your travel trip best.
How do I create a travel budget in Google Sheets?
Travel budgets are one of these things where you might not think it necessary to list certain expenses. Or you may think it’s necessary to list everything – but this can get a little messy and difficult to track if you don’t have the main travel categories to follow.
The Spreadsheet Daddy add-on rebrands to Synterrix. Click here to learn more.
Travel & Trip Budget Templates in Google Sheets and Excel
Get the most out of your trip using our travel budget templates in google docs, sheets, word, and excel formats. plan all your expenses, including plane tickets, apartment or hotel booking, visas, car rental and others. choose from dozens of editable and printable designs in different colors.
![Cute Travel Budget Template Cute Travel Budget Template](https://img.thegoodocs.com/templates/thumbnail/cute-travel-budget-160513.jpg)
Cute Travel Budget
![Simple Travelling Budget Template Simple Travelling Budget Template](https://img.thegoodocs.com/templates/thumbnail/simple-travelling-budget-154721.jpg)
Simple Travelling Budget
Travel Budget
Year Travel Budget for Family
Bright Travel Budget
Yellow Travel Budget
Travel Budget With Clouds
Pastel Travel Budget
Paris Trip Budget
Orange Business Travel Budget
Minimal Travel Budget
Sea Travel Budget
Traveling is always fun and interesting. However, travel is always associated with various kinds of expenses, which are best foreseen in advance. If you want to always be sure that you have chosen the right budget for your trip, then we recommend using any travel budgeting template from TheGoodocs . Our amazing Google Sheets templates are always the best option to save time and money.
Just imagine that you won't need to understand spreadsheet functionalities and built-in instruments, but you'll still get a professional, well-structured, and well-designed budget plan. We have a traveling budget template for any personal or business need. It does not matter if you work in a travel agency or just going on vacation and want to calculate its cost in advance. You will definitely find the right option only with us.
How do you like our offer? We advise you to study the list of advantages because of which our clients and visitors prefer our platform!
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How to Make a Travel Budget in 2023 [Free Template]
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![google travel budget How to Make a Travel Budget in 2023 [Free Template]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Top-view-tourist-counting-cash-to-spend-during-his-luxury-vacation-planning-budget.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Table of Contents
Can you afford to travel, the 2 approaches to travel budgets, travel budget template worksheet, travel budget considerations, websites to help research travel costs, the best apps for travel budgets and expense tracking, saving for your vacation, final thoughts.
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Creating a travel budget isn’t all about boring spreadsheets and searching for low budget bargains — a finely-crafted budget it is designed to maximize your total travel experience.
Let’s start out easy here. You may have dreams of globetrotting and living your best life in distant lands, but can you actually afford it?
The amount you have to spend on your trip will need to be proportionate to the place you are visiting. By that, we mean that some destinations can be done on the cheap, while others will be a bit more of an investment.
Where you want to stay, what you intend to do when you get there, and physically how far away you will be from home can all have a considerable bearing on how deep your pockets will need to be.
Before you book yourself silly, really break down the potential costs of your dream trip and tally it up with the amount of money you will realistically have to fund it.
Bottom Line: Sometimes, it may be better to put your plans on hold until you have saved up enough cash to really experience a place, rather than rushing to get there and missing out on some of the best bits.
Whether you are a plan-well-in-advance sort of traveler or more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person, there are different ways to approach setting out your budget based on what works best for you.
Plan Your Adventure Well in Advance
The most traditional way to book a vacation is to think of somewhere you want to go, plan your vacation dates, and decide how long you want to stay. This kind of advanced planning is the usual go-to for most travelers, as it allows you to book time off of work or plan trips around school semesters, and gives you the opportunity to firm up plans before you leave.
Knowing when and where you are going also has another key advantage — it gives you plenty of time to save up all the cash you will need to really enjoy your time there. Booking in advance also means you get your choice of cheaper accommodation at better rates.
Book months in advance and you can research your planned itinerary and potential expenditure, and maybe even save enough extra for upgrades of luxuries to make your adventure truly special. This kind of planning is a great incentive for saving hard.
Travel Based on Your Bank Balance
If, on the other hand, you want to take your cash and get the hell out of dodge, you can work backward to identify the most amount of fun you can have for your money. If you are feeling lucky, and you know how much you are willing to spend, the world really is your oyster.
The awesome power of the internet has made impulse traveling even easier, as you can simply hit up any number of booking sites to find an exciting destination, as well as suitable flights, accommodation, and excursions in just a few clicks.
Another great way to make your budget go further is to think outside the box. Visiting popular destinations out of season, taking shorter vacation times, or even looking at places away from the main tourist trail can all make your money go further.
A trip to the legendary Yosemite National Park during April or May, for example, is a great way to experience some of the most iconic open spaces in America before the schools let out, or hit the beaches of Miami or the Florida Keys during September and October when tourists shy away from the increased risk of stormy weather.
You can also look at alternatives to the more traditional resort destinations to get more bang for your buck. Consider a trip to Reno instead of Las Vegas, hit the slopes in Winter Park instead of the sky-high prices in Vail, or take in the history of Williamsburg and avoid the price tags of New York or Los Angeles on your next city break.
![google travel budget Globe on Desk with Travel Money](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Globe-on-Desk-with-Travel-Money.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
To help you plan and keep track of your travel budget we have created a free, handy Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
📋 Click to Download Our Travel Budget Template > 📋
When planning your travel budget, there are lots of different things to consider. Break down your budget into subsections to make it easier to plan and stick to:
Passport and Visas
One of the most essential elements of your travel plan will revolve around the legal and local requirements for travel to and from your destination. You must research any visa requirements and restrictions before you fly, and be sure to have all the documentation you need before you leave.
Most countries will have their own individual and very specific entry requirements, and there may be restrictions on how much local currency you can bring with you, as well as how long you can stay.
As a very rough guide, some examples of the requirements for U.S. citizens could include:
- Travel to Europe — If you are traveling to or through any of the main 26 European countries, you must know the requirements of the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates borders and assumes that travelers will be able to enjoy up to 3-months of visa-free travel. This will change in January 2021 with the introduction of the ETIAS .
- Travel to Australia — You must have a valid U.S. passport and an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enjoy up to 90 days of travel in Australia.
- Travel to Central America — You will not need a visa to visit most Central American countries, but you may need a tourist card for some destinations (~$10) to allow stays of up to 90 days visa-free.
- Travel To South Africa — You must have a valid U.S. passport, but do not need a visa for stays of 30 days or less.
Check out our guide to tourist visa information on over 100 countries.
Travel Insurance
There are many great reasons why you should always buy travel insurance coverage for your trips overseas, and only 1 reason not to. Trust us. If the worst should happen while you are away, you will wish you hadn’t tried to save money by skipping on the insurance, so make sure you always make space for travel insurance in your travel budget .
The best travel insurance policy does not necessarily have to be the most expensive one you find, but it probably won’t be the cheapest either. With this in mind, shop around and speak to a variety of providers before committing to any 1 product.
There will be different levels of coverage available to suit the requirements of every type of traveler, from lone backpackers to family vacations, but at the very least you should try to include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Repatriation expenses
- Cancellation or curtailment coverage
- Lost baggage coverage
- Travel delay/missed departure coverage
- Journey disruption coverage
- Personal liability coverage
- Legal expenses coverage
- Electronics loss/theft and damage coverage
Depending on where you go, what you’ll be doing, and the nature of your trip, you may want to also consider dedicated financial protection that could include specific coverage for:
- Winter sports coverage
- Terrorism disruption coverage
- Cruise coverage
- Business coverage
- Sports equipment coverage
It is important to remember that the domestic health insurance that you use at home will not necessarily cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas . Don’t leave it to chance — invest wisely in your travel insurance and never skimp on the coverage just to save yourself a few bucks before you go.
You should also look into insurance coverage for your prized electrical items and personal belongings, too . While we would recommend leaving the diamonds at home, unless you are going somewhere exceptionally glamorous, many of us will take expensive electronics with us everywhere we go.
Find coverage that offers repairs or replacement for damaged, broken, lost, or stolen items before you go.
Hot Tip: There are some credit cards with travel insurance , so you might already have some coverage without knowing it!
![google travel budget map of world syringe vaccination](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/map-of-world-syringe-vaccination.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Vaccinations
Some parts of the world pose more of a risk to our health than others. By ensuring that you have all the travel vaccinations you need before you go, you can reduce the risk of developing serious diseases that your immune system may not be used to.
You can pretty much be vaccinated against all of the world’s most common communicable diseases at your local doctor’s office, health care center, or health department, and there will be medical professionals who will be able to provide you with useful information for your trip.
You will need to do your own research before you travel and speak to healthcare providers about the risks. But, as a rough guide to keep in mind when planning your travel budget, here are some of the most common travel vaccinations and their approximate costs:
- Cholera — A single-dose oral vaccine costs around $45.
- Hepatitis A — A single-dose vaccine costs around $115.
- Japanese Encephalitis — 2 doses given 4 weeks apart costs around $290 per injection.
- Meningococcal Disease — This single-dose vaccine is recommended from pre-teenage years and costs around $135.
- Rabies — A series of 3 or 4 injections into the muscles over the course of 4 weeks costs around $3000 for the entire course.
- Typhoid Fever — A single oral dose for anyone over 6 years old costs around $60.
- Yellow Fever — This vaccine is not stocked everywhere, but if you can find a clinic that offers it, you will need a single shot costing as much as $350.
- Malaria — There is no single vaccine, but antimalarial tablets can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting the disease by 90%. These may need to be taken as far as 3 months in advance and can cost anything from $20 a pack up to $260 per pack.
Clothes, Gear, and Toiletries
What you need to take with you will depend very much on where you headed. Whether you choose to travel light or max out your luggage allowance is up to you, but there are plenty of ways to help keep costs down when it comes to packing for your next adventure.
Compile a Capsule Wardrobe
Travel guides always bang on about the legendary “capsule wardrobe” — but it literally is a real thing. By taking 7 or 8 items of clothing with you that can be worn in a variety of ways you can dress for days at a time without worrying about overfilling your luggage or maxing out your travel budget.
Choose 2 pants, skirts or jeans, 3 tops, 1 sweater, 1 dress or a smart shirt and a coat or jacket, and you should be pretty much good to go. Throw in beachwear, sports gear, or thermals as-needed and some socks and underwear to see yourself sorted for the duration of your stay.
Another way to keep costs down is to avoid buying new stuff for every vacation . Your favorite bikini, flip flops, party dress, or even hoodie should be shown off time and time again, so never feel the need to replace your vacation clothing unless you really need to.
Here are some destination-specific packing lists:
- Beach Vacation Packing List
- Cruise Vacation Packing List
- Disney Vacation Packing List
If you want to take your travel camera with you, your GoPro for awesome live video, your phone, tablet, laptop, headphones , or any other bits of kit — think carefully about whether or not you really need it.
Taking more expensive gear with you increases the risk of stuff getting lost, broken, or stolen, as well as weighing your luggage down and tying you to charging ports and electrical sockets.
Keeping Clean
Most people like to have their favorite toiletries with them, but save money and space in your luggage by not taking full-size products.
You needn’t even worry about wasting money on cute little travel size products either. Simply decant your full-size bottles and pots into smaller travel containers instead . This is super easy to do, meets with TSA regulations, and saves you a few dollars here and there.
Alternatively, buy what you need when you arrive. Most destinations and airports will have plenty of shops to choose from. One area where you shouldn’t cut costs, however, is sunscreen. Buy the best you can, ideally from a trusted brand, before you leave.
Finally, check if the airline you are using charges extra for checked baggage and if so, see if you can get away with just a carry-on case instead.
The amount you pay for your flights will vary widely depending on a wide number of variants, including:
- Your destination
- Who you choose to fly with
- Whether you fly direct
- Whether you fly return or one-way
- The day of the week and time of day that you fly, and even the time of year
- Where you fly from
- When you book
There are many different ways to fly around the skies, but here are some ways to bag cheaper flights :
- Use Points and Miles — If you aren’t accumulating points to fly, read this beginner’s guide to get started.
- Book as Early as You Can — Flights often significantly increase in price within 3 weeks of the departure date.
- Stay Flexible — Flights leaving on different days or at times of day can be cheaper than others.
- Don’t Dismiss Discount Airlines — Short journeys, internal flights, and even some international journeys can be way cheaper on discount, no-frills airlines.
- Sign Up and Shop Around — Sign up with airlines direct to be notified of discounts and flash sales, and be sure to check in on all airlines that fly to your preferred destination.
- Use Aggregation Sites — Sometimes this is a winner, sometimes it isn’t — but don’t be afraid to try. Sites like Kayak or Skyscanner can be good, but don’t just accept the first price they give you.
- Buy Connecting Flights — It can be cheaper to buy 2 separate connecting flights than a direct 1. Check your destination and see who stops where along the route.
Accommodation
Again, how much you spend on where you stay is entirely up to you. Keeping costs down can be harder in large cities or expensive beach resorts, but there are ways to rest your head without losing your mind over the cost of it all.
Whether you are going for an all-out 5-star luxury or a family-friendly motel room, there are always deals to be had. Book direct through the hotel, include weeknights or a Sunday night in your stay, and be flexible on location.
Hot Tip: A hotel just outside of town, for example, will offer more attractive nightly rates and free parking and will usually represent better value for money than a downtown hotel will.
Renting a private home or vacation apartment on a short term basis can be much more affordable than a hotel. You can also find some superb properties for rent, complete with everything you need to enjoy your stay.
Fully-equipped kitchens, parking, TVs, and even pools often come standard and depending on your destination, there are lots of great Airbnbs and other holiday rental websites available.
If you are heading to the coast, the backcountry, or just getting out into the great outdoors, camping can completely transform your experience. Many campsites come complete with showers and cooking facilities and even pools, sports facilities, and fitness centers. You can take your own tent or rent one.
Another great way to save money on accommodation is to look at hostels in the area. A far cry from old fashioned student accommodation, many modern hostels are clean, bright, and modern and offer a combination of dorm-style bedrooms and private double or family rooms with en-suite facilities.
Hot Tip: Hostels are a great way to stay right in the middle of some of the most expensive cities in the world.
Rent a Recreational Vehicle
Another great choice if you are heading out on the open road, RVs can save you a fortune as you literally take your accommodation with you. RV trips are fun, family-friendly, and provided you aren’t always in a gas station, a great way to save money on where you stay.
RVshare and Outdoorsy are 2 companies that rent out campers and RVs.
You can pretty much rent any kind of vehicle , anywhere in the world. Although if you are staying in a city, public transport is a much more useful and affordable proposition.
The same rules also apply to some intercontinental trips, as well. For example, it can be easier and cheaper to travel through Europe using trains and buses than worrying about having to take care of a car when you get there.
If you want to explore out of the way destinations, hard to reach beaches, or just like the idea of being free to come and go as you please, car hire is readily available in most corners of the world.
Before you commit to it, think about the rental fees, fuel costs, and other potential expenditures and compare the costs of using public transport in your chosen destination.
![google travel budget Car Rental](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Car-Rental.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Car hire here in the U.S. will vary depending on the type of car you choose and how long you intend to hire it. Small city cars are the most cost-effective, and big SUVs, 4x4s and luxury cars can also be hired if you have deep pockets.
When it comes to car rental, keep your costs down by:
- Booking your vehicle in advance
- Looking outside the airport as you may get a better deal in town
- Choosing a practical vehicle to suit your needs, not your dream supercar
- Being aware of mileage limits and one-way fees
- Use a credit card with car rental insurance , so you can be ready to turn down unnecessary add-ons and cross-sells that you don’t need
- Making sure the vehicle is checked for damage before you take the keys
- Only hiring it for as long as you need it
- Keeping your eyes out for deals on particular types of car, and better prices for longer-term rentals
Local Transportation
Most tourist hotspots, big towns, cities, and even some iconic landmarks will offer a wide range of public transport options to get you around. There will be more choice and more frequent services in highly populated areas, while services may become more restricted further out in the countryside or suburbs.
If you are clever, you could save yourself a small fortune by grabbing good deals on public transport, leaving you with more cash to spend on the fun things in life.
Try these to tips for traveling around town on the cheap:
- Buy daily, weekly or even monthly travel passes in advance
- Bulk buy tickets online or via an app
- Take advantage of student passes or discounted fares for families, seniors, or children
- Avoid traveling during peak commuter times
- Services like Greyhound offer cheaper fares for mid-week journeys
- Sign up for early notification of flash sales and other promotional codes and discounts
Attractions and Activities
Wherever you are headed, there will no doubt be plenty of things to do and places to see when you get there. The key to not missing a single thing is researching everything before you leave.
Have a plan in place of all the activities you want to take part in and the attractions you want to see and integrate the potential entrance costs, additional fees, and other expenses into your initial budget.
With a bit of luck, you will be able to find plenty of local discounts, city passes, and money-saving ways to see all of the very best attractions at rock bottom prices.
Pick up a copy of the local listings magazine or newspaper and check out free events , as well as using the coupons and discount codes they supply for all kinds of attractions. You can also subscribe to online discount sites like Groupon to find discounted ticket prices.
Historical landmarks, museums , art galleries, theme parks , sporting events, concerts, and many more attractions often offer reduced entrance prices at off-peak times or group discounts to entice visitors in. Some even have a free entrance day once a month.
Big cities often have lots of free entertainment on offer, too. Check out the artsy districts of major cities for street entertainers and free shows. If you are heading to the beach, research costs such as sunbed rental, locker rental, and even the menus at local restaurants to gauge an idea of how much a day on the beach could potentially cost you.
If you want to try your hand at surfing, sailing, or other kinds of water sports, you may want to get back on the internet and find reduced price lessons or discounts for group bookings.
![google travel budget Colosseum during daytime](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Colosseum-during-daytime.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Walk-Around Money
While you may have budgeted every dollar down to the last cent, you should also keep a contingency plan for some pocket money . Days out in the town, lazy afternoons on the beach, or even a trip on a planned excursion can present you with lots of little unknown expenses.
Whether you need to buy an extra bottle of water, some sunscreen for your face, or entrance to additional attractions, keeping a little cash on you is a good way to be prepared.
Large amounts of cash should never be carried about your person while you are out exploring, but a couple of dollars stashed into your pocket or travel wallet and can be incredibly useful.
In order to keep your money safe, you should:
- Never flash wads of cash
- Keep your notes and loose change somewhere safe like your inside pocket or in a money belt
- Carry small denomination notes and coins
- Understand the local currency you are carrying, so you known how much to give over when paying
Walk-around money is simply a little buffer to keep you going, but set yourself a daily budget and stick to it.
Gifts and Souvenirs
These days, almost everyone travels at some point. This means that those unusual and unique products that we used to buy as souvenirs are no longer as sought after as they once were.
Nearly every tourist destination on earth will be able to sell you tacky bits and pieces for you to take home, but savvy travelers bypass these and look for more personalized and unique mementos to take home with them instead.
Bottom Line: A t-shirt here, a guide book there, and lots of little bits and pieces in between can soon add up. Spend wisely, and if you must buy gifts and souvenirs, choose ones that have a special meaning to you, that you can treasure forever.
To help make your research easier, some clever folks who have traveled before you have made websites that can help you to research and plan every single aspect of your next big adventure and what the costs involved may be.
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip is a huge repository of travel costs that have been hand-gathered from thousands of travelers, and now provides an incredibly comprehensive guide to how much your trip will really cost you.
You can create and personalize your very own travel budget once you register with the website. You can also pick up tons of top travel tips and advice for both new and experienced travelers alike.
Nomad List offers a heap of resources and information for remote workers, digital nomads, and travelers, Nomad List is designed to help users navigate the world. Find information on thousands of destinations, places to work, neighborhoods to stay, and even make new friends before you go.
A great site for anyone who wants to work and travel for longer-term adventures, you can ask questions and arrange meet-ups to touch base with other like-minded wanderers.
This clever little website has 1 goal in mind — to let you know exactly how much money you really need to stay at your dream destination. Expatistan offers direct comparisons between different locations and the website is essentially a giant cost-of-living database that is updated and improved on a regular basis.
Using collaborative information garnered from expats from all over the world, this website really will give you the lowdown of where you can, and can’t, afford to be.
Keeping track of your expenses using your bank balance alone can be a real pain. A dedicated travel money app will help you to keep control of your finances, even when you can’t check the internet. Here are some of the best:
Trail Wallet
![google travel budget Trail Wallet](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Trail-Wallet-1.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
This easy to use expense tracker is a great way to keep an accurate record of your finances on the go. Designed to be incredibly intuitive and easy to use, you can make a note of all your expenses in a way that makes the best sense to you. Set up daily spending limits, view records of your recent outgoings, and upload images of receipts for multiple trips with custom start and end dates.
Perfect for use both at home and away, this clever little app will even let you input amounts in local currencies from over 200 countries , and you can update the app with the current exchange rate.
Trail Wallet can be used on both iPhone and iPad and is free for up to 25 items, or unlock unlimited amounts for continuous travel with the $4.99 upgrade.
Trabee Pocket
![google travel budget Trabee Pocket](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Trabee-Pocket.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Trabee Pocket is available on both iOS and Android, and you can choose between the free version or additional services in the paid-for version. Even with the basic version, you can add the details of as many expenses as you like, covering various trips and destinations. You can choose your currency, and there are 8 basic categories to file your virtual expenses under.
You can add images of the physical receipt and produce an expense report and breakdown of expenditure using the data from each category . The upgrade costs around $2.49, and you can add multiple currencies and additional customized categories.
All in all, Trabee Pocket is sleek and an easy to use app that helps you to see how much you are spending and where you are spending it.
![google travel budget Tripcoin](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tripcoin.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
TripCoin is a concise and easy to use app that is available on iOS only. It is free to download , and there are no upgrade options at the present time. This smart app allows you to keep tabs on your spending at the touch of a button while making is super easy to add new entries when you need to.
Summary reports can quickly be compiled to let you see progress reports and spreadsheets, and you can even export the data to Excel, Numbers, Open Office, or Google to keep your inner accountant happy anywhere in the world.
![google travel budget Wally App](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Wally-App.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Wally was designed to help anyone to manage their finances, anywhere in the world easily. It promises to offer a simple, seamless tool that works in an intuitive way, making it super easy to keep track of your money on the move.
The basic version allows you to add details of all of your regular incoming and outgoings as well as inputting your day to day expenditure, creating groups to manage joint accounts, and splitting payments with your friends when you need to.
It can be set to your local currency and lets you divide your outgoings into easy to find pre-set categories. Available on both iOs and Android, you can upgrade to the paid-for version for $24.99 a year to enjoy unlimited trips and categories.
![google travel budget Splitwise](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Splitwise.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
This is a brilliant invention for anyone traveling with friends. Available on both iOS and Android, you can download it for free, but an in-app upgrade is available to Splitwise Pro. No more scrambling around with a pen and paper to split the bill, this app allows you and your buddies to keep track of your shared expenses and balances at the touch of a button.
You can add a bill, and choose how to split it, or send text or email requests to remind your friends and family that payments are now due. You can also categorize your expenses, calculate amounts in over 100 different currencies, and even sync all of your expenditures with the Cloud.
If you want to keep a more detailed record of your accounts, this little app will also export the data into easy to read CSV reports.
Before you worry about how to manage your finances while you are away, you will need to devise a plan that gives you the funds to get you there in the first place. Unless you have been blessed with a sudden windfall or a lottery win, you will need to save your cents to achieve your goals.
Set a Savings Timeline
If you receive a regular wage, or you are able to forecast your earnings accurately, you can start to set a timeline on how long it will take you to save up for your vacation . If you put aside just $100 a month, for example, you will be able to have $1200 to play with in just a year. This amount may not pay for a new life abroad, but it could you buy a week by the ocean.
Bottom Line: Think of where you want to go to, find out how much it will cost, and then set a monthly savings goal and stick to it. Some months you may have to sacrifice on your social life or shopping habits, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Multiple Savings Accounts
Once you know how much you need to save each month, be sure to physically remove that money from your day to day bank account. Set up at least 1 separate savings account and electronically move it , or set up an automated payment to leave your regular account on payday.
Visualization
Re-train your brain to save instead of spend, and you will be able to tally up every cent you save with something amazing . Your first $150 saved, for example, could mean that you have those tickets for that boat party in Miami in the bag, or that you are on your way to paying for a 4-star hotel instead of a mid-range one.
Whether you are dreaming of trekking up the Himalayas, backpacking around Asia, Interailing through Europe , or a long-awaited family vacation, seeing what your savings can afford will super motivate you to save more.
Wherever you are planning on traveling to, being in control of your finances will make your experience even more amazing. Worrying about getting into debt on your credit cards or not having the cash in your pocket to really explore the region will ruin your adventures.
Save hard, spend well, and look for ways to save money across every aspect of your trip. Plan your spending before you go and keep track of your expenditure while you travel. There are deals to be had on flights, accommodation, food, attractions, and almost every area of your next vacation. Plan in advance and enjoy knowing that you are having the best time for less.
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Free Travel Budget Template for Google Sheets (2024 Update)
Free google sheets travel budget template.
Grab a copy of this travel budget template in Google Sheets and edit it as you see fit.
![google travel budget travel budget template google sheets](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62b4c5fb2654ca30abd9b38f/660438200b2c79fda02c0da7_ili5MC84kyX_aML34pfE854YY2RwIiuD5hAgsR7RgOzL2VZsmRXWICrhBl4w_-io91XPShl_VOjaUw4xvjsY_W3vJWqx26768dMtTU-hEMazf-mLXwEaHqGtBff-wr5kDQRi_hkfnDhY_7dE02y9VQ.png)
Don't request for permission to edit, simply go to File > Make a copy .
![google travel budget google sheets travel budget template](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62b4c5fb2654ca30abd9b38f/6604389312578ae9194b3bc4_FsV5J_9k6NXSsCu_b4CoZ_MWbuV5_wjNw19_HVAPDIRLSdQsS-NlbnlkRDa8_PPaKhwRO-wQlZCbVyfJNn0QuvKrccAwApH0Xqz8R9Rt6AWde4SNzK9qiMC0vR4Iwl3VfRDpP4vb8aRpAGKujpRkkA.png)
How to Use Our Free Travel Budget Template in Google Sheets
Below we have outlined the steps on how to use our travel budget template in Google Sheets:
Step 1: Planning and Budget Estimation
Begin with researching the costs associated with your destination(s). Look into accommodation prices, transportation fares, daily food expenses, and the cost of activities or attractions you plan to visit.
Step 2: Filling Out Estimated Costs
Open your Google Sheets travel budget template. Navigate to the "Estimated Cost" column (Column B) next to each category (Accommodation, Transportation, Food, etc.).
Based on your research or past experiences, enter the estimated amount you expect to spend for each category. This will serve as your budgeted amount for each part of your trip.
![google travel budget travel budget google sheets template](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62b4c5fb2654ca30abd9b38f/6604381f192bc6587aeefaa7_HTxX5j0BAnRCQ4B9IK2oOR4152a9tc1Rprz6ozEtU--lIeuGRSz1U4Xp6XRL4WpwU3N9ZU4XHu_FzM3qlprcG3RKQLLpFp2Dv9DZ0-lTKL3SQOQIUFpOw7_nrtcugDzZ86glD6DUNbA6M4gWoDvfkQ.png)
Step 3: Tracking Expenses During the Trip
As you travel, keep all receipts and make quick notes of all your expenses. This can be done in a small notebook, on your phone, or by taking photos of receipts.
Step 4: Updating Actual Costs Regularly
For each expense you incur, find the appropriate category and update the "Actual Cost" column (Column C) with the amount spent.
![google travel budget travel budget template google sheets free](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/62b4c5fb2654ca30abd9b38f/660449de145963566993ee5f_81BOHACwG_XUCxS-VcvzSRkSwhetCMdE3HbAv4YD0wqzIVFpemZFhXEBtNWUBC0neCBT4nPQZQi4DjWzRJ3fW5XOvOHyiaashydlEIyORcMYm46neolzNt4P8VH0_kValgDBhCSCvfsqA7u3r-Dt_g.png)
Step 5: Reviewing Your Budget in Real-Time
As you update your actual costs, the "Difference" column (Column D) will automatically calculate the variance between your estimated and actual expenses. This column is formulated to subtract the actual cost from the estimated cost, showing you at a glance if you are over or under budget for each category.
Use the information from the "Difference" column to make informed decisions about your spending for the remainder of the trip. If you find yourself over budget in one area, you may decide to cut back on another category to compensate.
We hope that this article has helped you and given you a better understanding of how to use our travel budget template in Google Sheets. If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to check out our free debt payoff template and our event budget template in Google Sheets .
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Vacation Cost Calculator: Google Sheet to Budget and Organize Your Trip
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You’re planning a trip and wondering – how can I keep track of expenses? What is the best flight option that will save me money? Am I going over my budget? After countless trips around the world, I’ve created this vacation cost calculator in Google Sheets to help.
Below are the details on how to use this vacation cost calculator. If you’re ready to give it a try, head to this link to subscribe and download it for free!
Table of Contents
![google travel budget vacation budget calculator google sheet example](https://i0.wp.com/meghanthetravelingteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-11-at-9.25.41-AM.png?fit=1024%2C463&ssl=1)
How to Use this Vacation Cost Calculator
Step 1: research your destination and set your budget.
Before doing anything else, you need to research your destination and see what the average costs for visiting it are. Depending on where you’re going, you may find that you need a bigger budget or that your budget will stretch further than you expected. You may also figure out that it’s better to choose a different destination.
For example, you may want to head to South Africa for 10 days , but you figure out that flights alone from your city are $1100. You decide you can set a budget of $2200 for the trip. You’ll need to look for budget accommodations and cheap eats to make that budget work along with activities.
Place your budget at the top of the vacation cost calculator. As you update it with things you’ve booked, the total cost will change. The pie chart will also change to show you how much you’ve spent on each category.
Step 2: Search options and compare flights/hotels
Now that you’ve got an idea of your budget, you can start researching the options for flights and hotels. These tend to be the biggest costs, so it’s best to start there. You can also often find great deals on these if you look in advance.
Place your different options into the vacation costs calendar, compare based on your preferences, and once you’ve decided – book! The trip calculator will give you the option to compare costs and times, take your own notes, and leave how many stars overall you feel that particular hotel or flight is.
Make sure you check the box for which things you’ve booked so that your costs are calculated and updated at the top and in the chart on the calculator.
![google travel budget budget break down for vacation](https://i0.wp.com/meghanthetravelingteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-11-at-9.24.07-AM.png?fit=1024%2C358&ssl=1)
Step 3: Search options and compare rental cars/activities
Now that you’ve got your biggest costs set up book other things that you may need, like a rental car and activities. These categories work the same as the others where you can compare, take notes, and write down all the details to compare in detail the costs and calculate how much you’ve spent.
As a reminder, none of this has to be done all at once, or in this particular order exactly; it is just important that to calculate your costs, you keep track of at least what you have booked! I like to do it in this order because I feel like calculating costs is a great way to make sure you’re saving money and keep an eye on your budget.
Step 4: Leave room in your budget for other miscellaneous things
We’ve pre-booked and compared prices on your major costs, but there are other things like food and souvenirs that you will want to leave room in your budget for. Don’t forget these as you calculate costs and leave some wiggle room at the end for those things!
![google travel budget sunset in mykonos old town harbor greece](https://i0.wp.com/meghanthetravelingteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_4142-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C767&ssl=1)
Tips for Saving on Your Trip
If you’re here, interested in this trip cost calculator, you’re probably using it to pay attention to your costs. In addition to using this tool as a great money saving tip, there’s a lot of other things you can do to save on travel that I’ll outline below.
1. Plan Ahead
- Book Early : Flights and hotel prices tend to be lower when booked well in advance. I love using Google Flights and Hopper to track flights and book when they drop. You can find more about this in my step by step to save on flights.
- Travel Off-Peak : Avoid peak seasons and holidays, choose a different time or leave a few days before the peak weekend holidays to avoid the higher costs. I have done this in several places, most notably my $260 flight to Copenhagen in winter 2024, my honeymoon to South Africa for $2200 a person (with all hotels, flights, and safari), and Puerto Rico for $67 RT.
- Check deals on discount websites : The best deals are often booked far in advance through sites like Travelzoo , Gate 1, and CheapCaribbean, which regularly offer excellent deals for trips 6-9 months out. Black Friday and Travel Tuesday are also great times to look.
- Use a trip planning checklist : Ensure you’ve done everything necessary to have a smooth trip!
2. Flexible Dates and Destinations
- Use Flexible Date Searches : It’s pretty incredible how much you can save by choosing a different weekend or day to travel. Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper allow you to search for the cheapest days to fly within a given period.
- Consider Alternative Destinations : Some places offer similar experiences but at a lower cost. You can also just save a destination for later and use the “explore” feature on Google Flights to go anywhere instead. Being flexible like this always saves money.
3. Use Deal Websites and Apps
- Flight Deals : Sign up for alerts from websites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, ThrityTraveler, and Secret Flying.
- Accommodation Deals : Use platforms like HotelTonight, Booking.com , Airbnb, and Hostelworld to check for last-minute deals or discounts on longer stays.
- Grab all my favorite websites for saving by subscribing .
4. Use Points and Miles
- Frequent Flyer Programs : Accumulate miles through airlines’ frequent flyer programs and use them to book flights or upgrades.
- Credit Card Rewards : Use travel credit cards that offer points or miles for purchases, and redeem these for flights, accommodation, and more. You can save a lot by using rewards!
5. Budget Accommodation
- Hostels and Guesthouses : Stay in hostels, guesthouses, or budget hotels. For more affordable lodging, especially for longer stays, check Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar services.
- House Sitting : Websites like TrustedHousesitters and N’Tice offer opportunities to stay in someone’s home for free in exchange for taking care of the house.
6. Transportation
- Public Transport : Use buses, trains, and subways instead of taxis or rental cars. Many cities offer unlimited passes, which means you can ride as much as you’d like for a fixed price, which can help too.
- Walk or Bike : Explore the destination on foot or rent a bike, which is often cheaper and allows for more immersive experiences.
7. Food and Dining
- Eat Local : Avoid touristy areas for dining. Local spots often offer more affordable and authentic options.
- Cook for Yourself : If you have access to a kitchen, buy groceries and cook some meals yourself.
- Eat at nicer places for lunch : Look for lunch specials or fixed-price menus which can be more economical than dinner. If you have a nicer place you want to visit, go for lunch instead.
8. Activities and Attractions
- Free Attractions : Visit free attractions like parks, museums (check for free admission days), and public beaches. Research a location before visiting to determine the average cost.
- City Passes : If you plan to visit a lot of top attractions, consider buying a city pass , which often offers discounted entry. I love doing this when traveling to a new city.
- Discounts and Coupons : Search for discounts, coupons, and group rates. Groupon is a good website to look at!
![google travel budget blank vacation cost calculator](https://i0.wp.com/meghanthetravelingteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-11-at-9.28.54-AM.png?fit=1024%2C599&ssl=1)
Get the Vacation Cost Calculator in Google Sheets
Now that you’ve got your tips and understand how to use this calculator, you’re ready to subscribe and make a copy for free! If you’re still interested in how to use this, check out the video below for more details and a quick walkthrough.
![google travel budget google travel budget](https://i0.wp.com/play.vidyard.com/odAHNbJqxvd7JURuazomhT.jpg?w=1194&ssl=1)
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13 comments
I must admit I am a spreadsheet girl. I start my first one for each trip for the plan details. I generally just add my costs in there. But your spreadsheet is quite detailed to really track all costs. Some good tips for saving some money.
Yesss clearly I am the same haha I love spreadsheets and keeping things organized. It’s easy for trip costs to add up!
Some great tips here. And I’ve got to have a list like this to collect my thoughts and keep all my research in one place. This spreadsheet is great!
So glad it’s a helpful tool! Agree – I always keep all my trip planning in a single doc, makes this so much easier.
This spreadsheet looks very useful. I think pre-planning is the best way to reign in travel costs.
Definitely! I think saving money on a trip often comes down to planning ahead or going suuuper budget which I prefer not to do!
What a great tool! Especially good for people who don’t travel a lot because they forget to plan for a lot of expenses, which can put a damper on an otherwise great adventure, eh?
Thank you! Yes, it can be hard to compare costs and everything if you’re still learning things. I also just love how it keeps me organized!
Eating out, public transportation or biking, traveling in the off-season – all very true statements! You put together a comprehensive guide on budgeting for a trip. Great article!
1000% agree on the money saving tips. I also really feel like I get to know a place when I’m in a local grocery store looking for something to cook or picnic on.
I do love budget making ☺️
That is a fantastic idea and super helpful. Well done.
This vacation cost calculator is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to plan and manage their travel budget! The detailed steps for researching destinations, comparing flights and accommodations, and tracking expenses ensure you stay within budget while still enjoying your trip. The additional tips on saving money, like booking early and using deal websites, are practical and valuable for any savvy traveler.
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In this article, we review some of the best Google Sheets travel budget templates to help you prepare for your long-awaited break or business trip.
Get the most out of your trip using our travel budget templates in Google Docs, Sheets, Word, and Excel formats. Plan all your expenses, including plane tickets, apartment or hotel booking, visas, car rental and others.
Creating a travel budget isn’t all about spreadsheets. A finely-crafted budget is designed to maximize your total travel experience and make life easy.
Learn how to use our travel budget template in Google Sheets with our simple step-by-step instructions. Free template included!
This vacation cost calculator is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to plan and manage their travel budget! The detailed steps for researching destinations, comparing flights and accommodations, and tracking expenses ensure you stay within budget while still enjoying your trip.
Travel Budget: 20. Home Currency: Local Currency ... Total Trip Budget: £0.00: €0.00: 22. Daily Budget: £0.00: €0.00: Quotes are not sourced from all markets ...