Travel Money Budget Calculator
Knowing how much to exchange before you travel depends on three things: how much you plan to spend each day in the local currency, how many days you will be away, and the exchange rate you expect to get. This calculator multiplies your estimated daily local spend by the number of travel days, then converts the total into US dollars using the exchange rate you enter. It also shows the daily USD equivalent so you can track your budget against your overall trip allowance. Enter the exchange rate as units of local currency per US dollar.
Travel budget formula
Total local spend = daily spend x days
Total USD = total local spend / exchange rate (local per USD)
Daily USD = daily spend / exchange rate
If the exchange rate is entered as units of local currency per USD, divide local amounts by the rate to convert to USD. For example, if 1 USD buys 0.92 EUR and you spend 150 EUR per day, the daily USD cost is 150 / 0.92 = 163.04 USD.
Travel budgeting tips
- Add 10 to 15% buffer for unexpected expenses, minor emergencies, or souvenirs.
- Consider the cost of travel insurance, airport transfers, and visa fees separately as these are often paid in USD.
- Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check the Federal Reserve H.10 release for the most recent daily rate.
- Using a card with no foreign transaction fees is often more economical than exchanging cash at the airport.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the exchange rate for my destination?
The Federal Reserve publishes daily exchange rates for major currencies at federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/. For a broader list including emerging market currencies, the US Treasury and IMF also publish rates. The rate you get from a bank or card will include a margin, so budget slightly higher.
Should I use the mid-market rate or the bank rate?
Use the bank or card rate you expect to pay when you convert. If you plan to use a travel card with no foreign transaction fees, add 0 to 1% to the mid-market rate. If using a bank ATM abroad, add 2 to 4% to account for the spread.
How much cash should I carry?
Most financial advisors recommend carrying enough local currency for 1 to 2 days of expenses plus an emergency fund. Carry the bulk of your travel funds on a multi-currency card or traveler's checks.
What is the daily spend in this calculator?
Daily spend should include accommodation (if paying locally), meals, local transportation, activities, and a miscellaneous buffer. Exclude prepaid costs such as flights and hotels paid in USD before departure.
Can I use this calculator for multi-destination trips?
Run the calculator separately for each destination segment, entering the daily spend and number of days in each country. Add the USD totals together for your overall trip budget.
Official sources
- Federal Reserve Foreign Exchange Rates (H.10): federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/.
- US Department of State, Travel Advisories and Money Abroad: travel.state.gov.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.