How Much Do You Spend on a Honeymoon? Real Costs, Wild Stories, And Smart Tips

If you've ever asked about honeymoon prices, you're probably still confused. Some people spend a couple grand for a cozy weekend. Others burn through ten grand in Bora Bora before they even realize it. There’s just no single answer about how much a honeymoon really costs.

Here's the honest truth: it totally depends on two things—where you go and how you travel. A five-star resort in the Maldives will obviously cost a mountain more than a beach cabin in Costa Rica. But even with the same destination, one couple might go for cheap eats and local buses while another never leaves the infinity pool or stops ordering room service cocktails.

If you want to avoid nasty surprises, knowing the main expense chunks is a game changer. Think flights, hotels, food, activities, all the little extras (like tips, airport transfers, and that fancy dinner you book last-minute). Get a rough idea of those, and you’ll skip a lot of stress and pointless arguments.

• Why Honeymoon Budgets Are All Over the Place
• What Couples Actually Spend (And Why It Varies So Much)
• Breakdown: Flights, Hotels, Food, and Surprises
• Smart Ways to Save Without Slashing the Fun
• Popular Destinations and Their Price Tags

Why Honeymoon Budgets Are All Over the Place

Ask ten couples what they spent on their honeymoon, and you'll get ten different stories. The reason? Honeymoon costs swing wildly because everyone’s got their own wishlist, travel style, and ideas on what feels special. It’s not just about money—it’s about what you want to remember.

Two people could book the same country and come back with very different bills. Some go all-in with luxury hotels and non-stop excursions. Others stay at budget places and hunt for good street food. It’s not rare for an American couple to spend anywhere between $2,500 (bare bones road trip) to $8,500 or more for international trips. In 2023, a survey by The Knot found the average honeymoon cost in the U.S. was about $5,100, but more than a quarter of couples spent much less—or much more.

Here’s why the price tag is such a moving target:

• Destination: Mexico and the Caribbean are way cheaper than the Maldives or French Polynesia, just by looking at flight prices alone.
• Travel time: Flights and hotels can double during peak season—think summer breaks, holidays, or spring break dates.
• Length of stay: A week in Bali costs less than three jam-packed weeks across Europe. More days means more dollars.
• Travel style: Big difference between backpacking on buses and splurging on private drivers or five-star resorts.
• Add-ons: Think of spa dates, guided tours, or those once-in-a-lifetime dinners that look great on Instagram. The more extras, the bigger your final bill.

It all comes down to choices. Some couples want the full luxury package. Some just want a PTO-approved break that won’t empty their account. That’s why no two honeymoons cost the same—and why you should decide what actually matters to you before you start planning.

What Couples Actually Spend (And Why It Varies So Much)

Ask five couples about their honeymoon cost and you’ll get five totally different answers. Surveys in 2024 say the average honeymoon runs about $5,600 for American couples, but that number barely tells the real story. Some still make it work for $1,800, while others just blow past $10,000, especially if they’re heading somewhere far, like Bali or Fiji.

What makes the price jump so much? The biggest factors are:

• Where you go (distance and popularity matters—a week in Cancun isn’t the same as two weeks in Japan).
• When you travel (honeymooning in the off-season can knock the price down, sometimes by half).
• How long you stay (every extra day is more cash on hotels and food).
• What kind of bed you want (some folks pick funky hostels, others refuse anything but a suite with a killer view).
• Your vibe—Splash-the-cash or keep-it-chill? Private tours, fancy transport, those expensive dinners... it all stacks up.

Here’s a quick look at what different types of honeymoons usually cost:

Another thing: culture and family matters too. Some folks use wedding gifts or cash from parents for their honeymoon—it’s not always out of your own pocket. But whatever you spend, remember you’re not competing with anyone else. It should fit your budget, not Instagram’s.

The bottom line? The honeymoon cost depends on what works for you and your partner, not some magic number.

Breakdown: Flights, Hotels, Food, and Surprises

You don’t want to look at your bill after the honeymoon and have a mild heart attack, right? Let’s get into the stuff that bites the biggest chunk out of your budget so you can plan smarter from the start.

Honeymoon cost usually starts with flights. If you’re heading to popular spots in Europe from the US (think Paris or Rome), economy flights average $700–$1,200 per person. Asia or remote islands? Try $1,500–$2,400 per person—unless you snag a deal months ahead. Flexibility can save you hundreds, so don’t book dates right after your wedding unless you have to.

Next comes where you sleep. Hotels eat up a huge part of your cash. A nice, mid-range room in Bali or Greece can go for $120–$250 a night. Want something flashier? Resorts in Hawaii or the Maldives often start at $500–$1,000 nightly. And you can totally double that if you want a private pool or overwater bungalow. Looking for bargains? Airbnbs and guesthouses sometimes go for $50–$100 a night, especially in less touristy places.

Now, food isn’t just a cost—it’s an experience. Lots of all-inclusive resorts cover all your meals, so you could actually save if you eat (and drink) a ton. Otherwise, daily food runs about $60–$100 per person for most destinations if you mix restaurants and street eats. Fine dining or special tasting-menu nights will obviously raise that fast.

Where couples get burned is on surprise expenses. Here are the big ones:

• Transfers (airport to hotel, $30–$150, maybe more in remote places)
• Excursions (a sunset cruise in Santorini? $100+ per couple)
• Tips and service charges (especially in Caribbean resorts—sometimes up to 20% extra)
• Little extras like massages, cocktails by the pool, and random room upgrades
• Travel insurance (smart, usually $70–$200 for a two-week trip)

To give you a sense of how these basic honeymoon expenses stack up, take a look at this table for a seven-night trip for two:

You can drop or double most of these numbers by choosing different countries, travel seasons, or travel styles. It’s all about priorities—figure out what feels worth the splurge for you, and save on the rest. Don’t forget those sneaky expenses, because that’s where most couples mess up their budget.

Smart Ways to Save Without Slashing the Fun

Saving money on your honeymoon doesn’t mean you have to skip the best parts. Most couples do overspend just because they're stressed or feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Truth is, you can have an epic trip and still keep costs under control—if you know where to look.

First, don’t be shy about mentioning it’s your honeymoon when booking hotels or flights. Lots of places toss in free perks for honeymooners—think champagne, room upgrades, or late check-outs. A TripAdvisor survey showed about one in three couples got something extra just by mentioning they were celebrating.

• Use points or miles. If you have any travel rewards, now's the time to spend them. Booking honeymoon flights or a fancy suite with saved-up credit card points can chop a good chunk off your budget. United, Delta, and Marriott are known for honeymoon discounts or bonus deals at certain times.
• Travel in the shoulder season. Don’t go during peak holidays if you want deals. For example, going to Greece in late May or early October can cut hotel prices almost in half compared to mid-summer.
• Mix and match your stays. Book most nights at budget-friendly places, then splurge on one or two nights at a killer resort. You get the "wow" moments and still save big overall.
• Skip the pricey tours and do your own thing. Renting a scooter is often way cheaper (and an adventure) than joining official excursions, especially in Bali, Santorini, or Thailand.
• Get smart with meals. Instead of eating every meal at your hotel, grab a few breakfasts or lunches from local markets. Not only does this save cash, but you’ll probably eat better, too.

The main thing is this: do your research and compare actual prices before you book anything. The internet is flooded with honeymoon packages, but you can usually build something better for less if you’re willing to piece it together yourself. And if your honeymoon cost still looks high, cut one big expense rather than shaving off all the little things that bring joy. Don’t downgrading every dinner—just drop the helicopter tour you’re not really sure about anyway.

Popular Destinations and Their Price Tags

Let’s get real about where people actually go for their honeymoon and what kind of money they drop. You’ve got your classics—Hawaii, Bali, Paris—plus the ultra-luxury stuff like the Maldives or Bora Bora. There are also underrated spots where you don’t need a Hollywood budget to have an epic trip.

Here’s a practical side-by-side look at what you can expect to shell out for a week in some of the most popular honeymoon destinations. This covers two people, flights from the U.S., mid-range accommodations, food, a few local activities, and airport transfers. Of course, you can spend way more (hello, overwater villa), but these numbers are the average most couples toss around when someone asks about their honeymoon cost:

If you want to go cheaper, try Costa Rica, Thailand, or Portugal. These places usually land in the $2,000-$4,000 range. A lot of couples pick them when they want adventure and romance but aren’t looking to sell a kidney for an overwater bungalow.

Why does the price swing so much? Flights can be double depending on the season. Accommodation eats up the biggest chunk—luxury rooms spike your bill, basic hotels or Airbnbs save you a lot. Eating at local spots (not tourist traps) saves a bundle. Meanwhile, splurging on massages, private tours, or all-inclusive quick adds up.

Quick tips to keep your numbers down:

• Travel during shoulder season (right before or after peak).
• Book flights early, watch for fare drops.
• Mix a few treat-yourself activities with more laid-back (and free) stuff.
• Don’t feel pressure to follow the Instagram crowd—pick the spot that fits your vibe and budget.

Bottom line: The "right" amount to spend is what feels good for your relationship and your wallet. Start with what you both want, do the math, and don’t be shy about grabbing deals. The best honeymoon memories hardly ever come from throwing money around—they come from doing exactly what makes you happy, together.