Example: a week in Lisbon
| Expense | Amount | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | €1,200 | You |
| Hotel | €1,400 | Your partner |
| Food and outings | €700 | Both |
| Tours | €300 | You |
| Total | €3,600 |
How the balance works out
With a 60/40 rule, your share is €2,160 and your partner’s is €1,440. You paid €1,200 + €300 + €350 of food = €1,850. Your partner paid €1,400 + €350 = €1,750. You owe your partner €310 and settle it with one transfer.
What is shared and what is not
- Shared: flights, lodging, transport, meals together, tickets.
- Personal: gifts, shopping for yourself, duty free.
- Agree in advance: the fancy dinner, the spa, the seat upgrade.
Currencies and cards
Record each expense in the currency it was paid in. When you settle, convert at the rate you agree on or the one your card charged. Nobody loses on the exchange.
With Couplesplit
Create the trip with its budget, record expenses in 100+ currencies and follow spending as you go; on iPhone it also shows on the Lock Screen as a Live Activity. When you are back, the trip closes with its own balance and does not mix with your monthly spending.
Questions
Should couples split vacations 50/50?
Many do, but if you split the household by income, you can use the same rule for trips.
What if one partner is treating?
Then it is a gift and stays out of the balance. Make it clear up front whether it is a treat or a shared cost.
When should we settle a trip?
When you are back, with one transfer. Settling every expense during the trip is tiring and error-prone.