Calculate the total without counting expenses twice
Add return travel, accommodation, local transport, meals, tickets and a contingency margin. Accommodation and a shared car count once for the group; individual tickets and meals count per person. A room per night and a price per person per night are different units: confirm which you are using.
Group formula: total = individual return trips + accommodation per night × nights + local transport + meals + activities + margin. Average cost per person = group total ÷ participants. For families, keep the actual adult and child prices separate instead of applying an equal split to all items.
Compare a short stay with more nights
Run two simulations with the same arrival dates but different lengths. Return travel stays in both budgets; adding nights increases accommodation and meals and may change transport. Compare the final total, not just the daily rate shown by the accommodation.
If the trip has three, five or seven nights, count the actual meal and sightseeing days. The arrival day may have only one meal and the departure day may allow no visits. Do not automatically multiply all costs by the number of nights.
Decisions that change the budget
Compare a base chosen for central walking access with one requiring daily travel. The accommodation address must factor into ticket and arrival/departure travel costs; a lower nightly rate may not reduce the total.
For a programme covering the historic centre and Serralves, separate meals, transport and tickets. Check current Serralves tickets and choose the spaces you want to visit. Outdoor walks and indoor visits have different costs and conditions.
Review conditions before paying
For accommodation, confirm occupancy, meal plan, fees and cancellation terms. For transport, include luggage, fuel, parking or journeys to stops. For activities, confirm exactly what the ticket includes and whether you need to book a session.
If considering a sightseeing pass, first add up the tickets for the venues you actually want to visit. Compare that sum with the current pass price and terms. A discount on a visit you would not make is not a saving on your programme. Keep a margin you define and update the table when you confirm each booking.
Compare before deciding
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