If you don’t know where to look, travelling, no matter where you’re going, can seem extremely expensive and unattainable for the ‘average joe’. The reality is much different, however. The world is getting smaller: more and more cheap flights are becoming available to an ever-increasing selection of destinations, allowing just about anyone to achieve their dream holiday. Depending on where you’re going, there can be a few things that you need to bear in mind when thinking about your budget and how you are going to arrive at your destination. In this article we’ve made everything simple. We’ll give you a full budget example and even provide you with some tips on how you can save up to make it all happen.
The destination
We’re sure that you’ve got a destination already in mind, or else chances are, you wouldn’t be looking at how to budget to get there, but if you have not already chosen a place you’d like to go, there’s a few things you should bear in mind. Obviously you can’t put a price on your dream: there’s certain things in certain places that are a must-see on any traveler’s itinerary, but if you’re on a budget, you might want to think a little more strategically.
- Bear in mind the general price of where you are going. This is important for the amount of spending money you are going to need. For example, if you are on a very strict budget, places like New York City, Singapore and Tokyo really aren’t going to work for you, no matter how cheap it is to get there.
- See if the place that you are heading to requires you to have a visa. Some visa processes can take quite a long time and cost you hundreds of pounds. Places such as China, United States, Canada, Australia and Pakistan, in varying degrees, require you to have some form of travel authorisation document similar to a visa.
- See if you need any form of vaccination for the place that you are going. It is likely that if you are going to a developed city, as long as you stay pretty central, you will be fine without any, but it is still worth checking. Many Latin American countries and Asian countries will require vaccinations for British Citizens.
- Depending on where you are going in the world, travel insurance will cost more in some places. This is due to the various healthcare costs and other cost variations relevant to your destination. If you go to Japan, United States or Canada, for example, your insurance policy will be much more expensive due to the sky high medical bills.
Our example – Tokyo, Japan
For our budget example, we have chosen Tokyo in Japan. Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world and is the largest based on population. Its metropolitan area is home to almost 38 million people, which is over four times the amount of London. For this example we have chosen to go between the dates of 9th – 17th May 2018 (made on 17th Oct 2017). Here’s all you need to know:
Visa
No visa is required for British Citizens wanting to visit Japan for under 3 months. You can stay for a total of up to 90 days with no prior visa or supporting travel documents. All you need is a valid passport.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are needed for British Citizens visiting Tokyo, especially if you are staying within the city. However, there are some option vaccinations that should be considered by certain people. Find out more on the NHS Fit For Travel website.
Flights
Flights are the real dealbreaker for most people. But, you may be surprised at the low cost that comes with travelling to Tokyo. Obviously the total price will depend on where you’re flying from. As such we’ve added a number of popular UK airports.
| Airport | (1 stop) Price | (1 stop) Duration | (Direct) Price | (Direct) Duration |
| London Heathrow
|
£416
|
Outbound – 14h30
Return – 20h10 |
£816
|
Outbound – 11h35
Return – 12h20 |
| Manchester
|
£477
|
Outbound – 19h Return – 19h |
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Glasgow
|
£592
|
Outbound – 24h30
Return – 22h35 |
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Belfast
|
£910
|
Outbound – 25h10 Return – 15h50 |
N/A
|
N/A
|
Transport and transit
The most popular Tokyo airport, Narita, is roughly 50 miles outside of central Tokyo, meaning a taxi isn’t really on the cards, unless you have a couple of hundred pounds lying around spare, in which case you probably aren’t reading this. The best and quickest way to get into central Tokyo is the Keisei Skyliner , which has deal which you can pay 5,400 Yen (£36) for a return ticket to central Tokyo with a 72 hour complimentary subway pass. As we’ll be there for 9 days, though, we’ll need another two 72 hour passes, which will cost us 3,000 Yen (£20). This brings the total up to £56 for transport; however, it doesn’t stop there. Tokyo’s public transport system is not all-inclusive. There are many different line systems, meaning you have to get a separate ticket for each one. It is likely that you will take a couple of JR lines or other major lines throughout each day, costing you an estimated £27 for your trip. Overall, you should take around £85 for public transport.
Accommodation
Tokyo is absolutely ginormous, so ideally you would want to stay somewhere touristy or at least vaguely central. As two of the key tourist areas, we have chosen to stay in either Shinjuku or Roppongi. Here’s what a nice place to stay will cost you within these areas:
Hotel – £130 per night (£1,040 total) – Double room
Airbnb – £40 per night (£320 total)
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential, no matter where you’re going abroad. For such a small price you are covered against the worst happening. Medical bills in Tokyo are astronomical, so for a few quid, it’s definitely worth avoiding hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of medical bills, even if nothing happens.
5 star policy, £0 excess, £unlimited medical bills, £3,000 cancellation, £2,000 baggage, £450 personal money. – £22.99
Spending money
This is a tricky one. Each person is different and will spend money in very different ways. If you don’t drink any alcohol, you will be laughing. But prices in Tokyo are generally very expensive. The average price for a pint of beer, for example, will be around 9000 Yen (£6) and not to mention the seat tax. Most bars and restaurants in Tokyo will charge you between 300 Yen (£1.35) – 1000 Yen (£7) just to sit down.
Daily recommended budget – £60 (£540 total)
Total budget (From London)
£1,400
Money saving tips
- According to energy experts Selectra, if you’ve never switched your gas and electricity tariff before, the average household will save up to £350 per year.
- If you have any skills that may be able to make you some money, try topping up your bank account with freelance work.
- Make sure that you use make use of coupons and vouchers when doing your shopping.