Methodology
How is your budget computed?
Six questions to understand exactly what's in your estimate and how to adjust it.
- How is the InstantTripCost estimate computed?
- Each budget combines four independent data layers: the 90-day median round-trip flight price for the chosen airport pair, the median hotel rate per tier (budget, mid-range, premium), local indices for food and ground transport, and the average activity cost per destination. The total is recomputed on every form change, with no cache.
- Why does the result change when I switch departure month?
- Flight prices swing strongly with seasonality (up to 60 % gap between peak and off-peak on some destinations). Lodging also varies by ~30 % on average between peak and trough. Food moves more modestly (5-10 %). All three modulations are computed per city from the destination's own air-demand signal.
- What does each comfort tier include?
- Budget: hostel or entry-level hotel, meals at local eateries, public transit, 1 free or low-cost activity per day. Comfort: well-rated 3-star hotel, mix of local and mid-range restaurants, public transit plus occasional taxi, 1-2 paid activities per day. Luxury: 4 or 5-star hotel, fine dining, taxis and private transfers, daily premium experiences.
- My estimate is too high. How do I cut the budget?
- Four levers cover almost all possible savings. 1. Shift the trip by one month to save on flights (the most profitable lever, up to -40 %). 2. Drop one hotel tier (-30 to -40 % on the lodging line). 3. Pick a less-touristed city in the same country (-15 to -25 % across all lines). 4. Trim a day or two from the trip. Other tweaks have limited relative impact.
- Does the budget cover every trip expense?
- The calculation includes: round-trip flight, lodging, food, local transport, activities, and a miscellaneous-fees margin (tips, SIM card, laundry, small purchases). It does not include: visa, travel insurance, optional vaccines, gear-specific costs (diving, ski equipment), or significant personal shopping. Adding a 5 to 10 % buffer is wise depending on destination.
- How often are prices refreshed?
- Flights are queried in near real-time on every estimate. Hotel medians refresh every 90 days. Local indices (food, transport, activities) are audited annually and manually adjusted per destination. The targeted margin of error on the total trip is under 15 %.