The Three Budget Tiers
We break travel into three tiers: Budget (hostels, street food, public transport), Mid-Range (3-star hotels, restaurants, some taxis), and Comfort (4-star hotels, fine dining, private transport). Your actual spend depends on your travel style, not just the destination.
Southeast Asia
Budget: $25–40/day. Mid-range: $50–80/day. Comfort: $100–200/day. A 2-week trip costs $350–560 (budget) to $1,400–2,800 (comfort) excluding flights. Best-value countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. Most expensive: Singapore, Bali (tourist areas).
Europe
Budget: $50–100/day. Mid-range: $100–200/day. Comfort: $200–400/day. A 2-week trip costs $700–1,400 (budget) to $2,800–5,600 (comfort) excluding flights. Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic) offers Western-quality experiences at 40–60% of Western prices.
Central & South America
Budget: $25–45/day. Mid-range: $50–100/day. Comfort: $100–250/day. A 2-week trip costs $350–630 (budget) to $1,400–3,500 (comfort) excluding flights. Cheapest: Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua. Most expensive: Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
East Asia
Budget: $40–70/day. Mid-range: $80–150/day. Comfort: $150–350/day. Japan is more affordable than its reputation suggests (budget $50–80/day). South Korea is slightly cheaper. China is excellent value outside Shanghai and Beijing. A 2-week Japan trip costs $700–1,100 (budget) including Rail Pass.
Flights: The Biggest Variable
Flights typically represent 30–50% of total trip cost for budget travelers. Round-trip from US to Europe: $400–800. US to Asia: $500–1,000. US to South America: $350–700. To Central America: $200–400. Book early, be flexible on dates, and consider flying into hub cities (London, Bangkok, Bogotá) for the cheapest fares. See our guide on finding cheap flights for detailed strategies.
Rule of Thumb
For a comfortable trip, budget $100–150/day in Western Europe, $50–80/day in Southeast Asia, and $60–100/day in South America. Multiply by your trip length, add flights, and add a 15% buffer for unexpected expenses. Use our Trip Finder to compare costs across destinations.