Not quite sure how to budget for your vacation? We’re here to help. Whether you’re planning a whirlwind adventure, a romantic anniversary trip, or a fun family vacation, setting a realistic budget is key.
Most travelers remember to plan for flights, resort costs, food, and souvenirs, but there’s one thing that they always seem to forget: excursions! Unless you plan to spend your entire trip onsite, you’ll want to get out and experience the beauty and culture of your chosen vacation spot.
If you’re wondering how much people spend on off-resort excursions, we’ve got the low-down! As a bonus, we’ll also give you a helpful breakdown of how much money most travelers are spending on their vacations!
How Much Money Do People Spend on Off-Resort Excursions
It may seem like there are countless activities for you to choose from, but on average, most people spend $150 – 420 (per couple) on off-resort excursions. This is generally divided between several distinct activities, so your price will depend largely on the types of excursions that interest you.
If you want to spend your days hanging out at the beach, you may want to sign up for a surfing class or snorkeling expedition. If you prefer to enjoy the flora and fauna, you’ll probably end up booking a guided hike or ziplining through the forest.
Since you’ll be on the trip for a limited time, it’s a good idea to determine which activities are most important to you before heading out. That way, you can work out the average prices for each excursion and find a way to fit as much fun into your budget as possible!
All-Terrain Excursions
Depending on the location you’re spending your trip in, you’ll need to consider the different types of activities that will be available to you. If you plan to spend more time exploring the mountains, valleys, and forests, let’s take a look at how much people spend on land-based excursions.
Guided hikes: For a typical guided hike, you can expect to spend about $100 – $300 per person for the entire journey. Most hikes will vary from a quick hour-long trip to a full-day tour, depending on the length, elevation, and overall difficulty.
If you’re not an avid hiker, you may need to spend additional funds on the appropriate equipment, including hiking shoes, backpacks, and durable, insulated clothing. Still, if this sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll want to find a way to fit this into your vacation budget!
Horseback riding: If you’ve already been on a handful of hikes, horseback riding can allow you to experience the terrain from a completely different perspective. If you want to enjoy this unique experience, it’s going to cost you roughly $65 – $85.
Horseback riding can be considered a more luxurious excursion, as these gorgeous creatures require a great deal of preparation and care. That being said, we think this once-in-a-lifetime adventure is more than worth it!
Ziplining: Ziplining allows travelers to admire the lush, natural beauty of the terrain from an incredible vantage point. As you flit through the trees, you’ll notice vibrant colors, chipper wildlife, and a host of other stunning sights.
For this experience, you can expect the bill to be about $40 – $200, a moderate range for this adventure through the forest. If you’re visiting a colorful, mountainous region, ziplining should be on your to-do list!
Rock-climbing: Last, but certainly not least, let’s take a look at one of our favorite land-based activities for travelers. From adventure junkies to professional athletes, this is an excursion that will get everyone’s hearts racing.
Popular among frequent travelers and thrill-seekers, rock-climbing excursions generally cost around $40 – $140 per person. While that may seem like a hefty fee for some, you’ll have to decide whether the cost outweighs the gain for you.
Water-Based Excursions
For travelers who want to experience the best of sand, sea, and sun, you may want to check out the water-based activities available in the area. From sailing and surfing to diving and fishing, you’ve got the world at your fingertips!
Kayaking/White water rafting: There’s nothing that screams “adventure” like tackling a series of wild rapids with your favorite people. These fun expeditions typically start at $125 per person, which sets the average for a kayaking or rafting trip.
It’s worth noting that rafting trips will vary greatly in length and difficulty, so it’s suggested that travelers choose the route that best fits their experience level. Most of the time, however, these excursions will be fully guided, so you won’t have to worry about being left to your own devices.
Sailing: Sailing can allow guests to see so much more than just the beach; traveling across the ocean, you’ll notice incredible sights that will blow you away. For sailing lessons/trips, you can expect the cost to start at about $24 per hour.
For complete beginners, it makes the most sense for you to get a step-by-step lesson on the basics of sailing. If you’re an experienced sailor, you may want to rent a boat instead of booking a full lessons and/or sailboat tour.
Snorkeling: If you’ve seen everything that the land has to offer, it’s time to explore the depths of the beautiful, blue ocean. On a snorkeling expedition, guests can find flora, fauna, and breathtaking views—-all beneath the water’s surface!
For adventurers who want to try going on an underwater journey, snorkeling trips generally start at $579. This typically includes the cost of gear and comes at a flat rate for a set period on the dive.
Fishing: Lastly, you and your loved ones may want to take in the sights on a serene fishing trip. From professional fishermen to novices, all visitors are welcome to book fishing trips in most coastal and tropical locations.
Fishing trips tend to cost about $279, but we would make it a point to ask what is included in the flat fee. In some areas, guests may be required to bring their own fishing rods or pay extra for bait, so you may want to call ahead before finalizing your budget.
Do Your Own Thing
When it comes to planning for the vacation of your dreams, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. At the end of the day, you should budget for the activities and excursions that sound the most exciting to you! Check out these unusual excursion ideas, and the associated costs for each.
Theme Parks: In certain states, countries, and regions, the tourism industry relies heavily on theme parks and family-friendly attractions. If you find yourselves in Florida, California, or a similar area, you’ll definitely want to try out one of the nearby theme parks!
In Florida specifically, Walt Disney World is one of the most popular attractions you can visit; with one adult ticket coming in at $160, you’ll most likely need to set aside some cash for this one. Whether you choose to visit Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or one of their water parks, Walt Disney World never disappoints.
Skill courses: If you want to get the most out of your trip, it can be fun to learn a new skill during your stay. Try out a skill-based class to learn some useful new tricks, ones that you can extend and improve upon long after you’ve left.
Local cooking classes can help you to celebrate and appreciate local cuisine, getting a few new dinner ideas in the process. Similarly, a pottery or crafting class can leave you with a couple of handmade items to remember your time spent there. Just keep in mind that the average cost for a skill-based course is about $15 – $210.
Average Cost of Food
On average, vacationers tend to spend $50 – $150 on food during an extended trip. This average price range, of course, will vary from person to person, but this is a solid estimate to help get your budget started.
Your price will also depend on the location and context of your meal. Will you be purchasing one meal as a couple? Sampling at several different restaurants? Going on a city-wide food tour that lasts throughout the day?
It’s also important to note that this price does not include adult beverages, such as wine, liquor, and other alcoholic drinks. These will typically run up your tab a bit more quickly, so you’ll want to factor these into your overall cost if necessary.
Hotel Room Rates
When it comes to planning for the perfect vacation, lodging is one of the most important elements of the process. From cottages and villas to resorts and suites, guests will typically spend $150 – $318 on their hotel room during their vacation.
We’d suggest finding the accommodations that make sense for the age and number of guests you’re traveling with. Be mindful of the quantity of beds and rooms you book, ensuring that you’ll have the amount of space you need.
Travel Cost – Plane Tickets
If you plan on traveling further than a few hours, it may be easier for you to catch a quick flight to your dream destination. On average, plane tickets cost $382 per person, but with gas prices, this often outweighs the cost and hassle of a long road trip.
Airfare prices can vary largely based on the airline you travel with, so be sure to get a wide variety of quotes before making your decision. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that you determine your spending limit before booking a flight.
How To Save Money on Off-Resort Excursions
If you want to cut down on activity costs during your trip, you may want to call around and check for discounts. Some excursions offer special pricing for singles, couples, or children under a certain age, so it’s worthwhile to call ahead and/or check their policy online.
Another way to save money on your trip would be to book half-day excursions rather than full day. While this won’t apply to every situation, some excursions, such as hiking, sailing, and horseback riding, offer different packages based on the amount of time you want to spend on your adventure.
Finally, one of the best ways to cut costs on excursions is to remember to bring your own gear. Excursion guides and companies typically sell or rent out their gear, but if you regularly participate in the activity of focus, you may be able to save some cash by bringing your own (be sure to call ahead and ask though, as some companies require guests to use their materials for safety).
