How much does a honeymoon cost?
How much does a honeymoon cost?
$2,000 – $8,400 average cost for an all-exclusive honeymoon (7 days)
$3,000 – $8,000 average cost for an all-inclusive honeymoon package
Average cost of a honeymoon
The honeymoon is one of the most important parts of planning a wedding, and lots of couples look forward to it more than the wedding itself! In this guide, we'll break down the average cost of a honeymoon and give you tips on how to plan one.
The average honeymoon costs $2,000 to $8,400, depending on the destination, length, and accommodations. Some couples budget and spend under $1,000, while others spend over $25,000 on a luxury trip.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Flight | $200 – $3,500 |
| Hotel | $700 – $2,800+ |
| Rental car | $210 – $700 |
| Food & drinks | $840 – $1,400 |
| Average total cost | $2,000 – $8,400 |
Flight
When flying to your honeymoon, you'll pay roughly $200 to $500 for domestic flights or $1,500 to $3,500 for international flights. This varies depending on location, which day you depart and arrive, and the time of year. Business class and extra in-flight perks cost more.
Hotel
When booking a hotel or vacation home rental during your trip, you'll pay $100 to $400+ per night, depending on the location and how long you stay. For 7 days, that comes to $700 to $2,800+ total. Luxury hotels and resorts will cost much more than average.
Rental car or transportation
If you need a rental car to travel and explore on your trip, you'll spend upwards of $30 to $100 per day on it, depending on the make and model. For the average honeymoon, this means you'll spend about $210 to $700 on a car, not including insurance or add-ons.
If you're staying at a resort the entire time and won't venture outside of it, you won't need a rental car. However, unless the hotel or resort includes airport pickup and drop-off, you'll have to pay for an Uber, Lyft, or taxi service.
If you're honeymooning in a location with public transportation and plan to use that instead, you'll need to budget for a rail, subway, or bus pass.
Food & drinks
The average cost of food on a honeymoon is $120 to $200 per day, depending on where you go, whether you're ordering alcoholic drinks, and whether tipping is customary where you are. This totals $840 to $1,400 for a 7-day trip.
Splurging on fine dining will cost more, while staying in a hotel that provides free breakfast will save money.
All-inclusive resorts include things like food, drinks, lodging, and entertainment. These resorts can cost more per day than average, but they can also take a lot of stress out of planning.
What is a honeymoon?
A honeymoon is a trip or vacation a newlywed couple takes to celebrate getting married. A honeymoon can be short and simple or a long, luxurious holiday. Most couples go on their honeymoon immediately following the wedding, but some delay and save up for months or years afterward.
Popular honeymoon destinations include cruises, luxury hotels, tropical beaches, or a place that's significant to the couple.
Some couples use online registries like Honeyfund or Zola to request monetary gifts and raise funds for their honeymoon instead of getting traditional gifts like silverware or linens.
Honeymoon cost by length
The average length of a honeymoon is 7 days, but some couples take longer trips, up to 2 weeks. Many couples opt for a "mini-moon" instead, which lasts 3 to 5 days.
| Honeymoon type | Length (days) | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-moon | 3 – 5 | $950 – $7,000 |
| Average honeymoon | 7 | $2,000 – $8,400 |
| Longer trip | 10 – 14 | $2,700 – $13,300+ |
Average honeymoon cost factors
Since honeymoons are just as unique and varied as the couple, a few different factors can influence the individual cost of a trip:
Time of year: The busiest times to travel are April through August, November, and December when students are out of school. If you're going to southern Europe or tropical islands, the weather should still be warm from September through mid-October.
Activities: If you're planning on going to any concerts, museums, tours, massages, snorkeling, or other activities during your honeymoon, you'll pay more. However, many couples simply enjoy each other's time, relax on the beach, or explore the city they're in.
Documents: If you're traveling outside of the country, you'll need a passport. Some countries also require travel visas, so make sure you're prepared well in advance.
Vaccinations: Many exotic destinations require vaccinations before you visit, which will require planning and may increase costs. For example, the yellow fever vaccine costs $220 to $250 on average. A Hepatitis A vaccine costs $170 to $230 without insurance.
Rewards programs: If you have a credit card or are part of a rewards program that lets you accumulate miles or cash back, take advantage of it! You can save significantly on airfare and hotel accommodations this way.
Wedding and honeymoon packages: Some resorts offer the option to get married on-site, making it a convenient and romantic choice for couples. This makes planning especially easy for those interested in combining the cost of a destination wedding and honeymoon.
All-inclusive honeymoon package cost
The average all-inclusive honeymoon costs $3,000 to $8,000, including airfare, lodging, and food. The total cost depends on the location you choose, the length of your stay, and whether the package includes spa services, or extra activities. Traveling during peak seasons or staying at higher-end resorts costs more.
| Honeymoon type | Average cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Self-planned | $2,000 – $8,400 | Offers flexibility with à la carte services, allowing couples to choose and pay for activities and amenities as they go |
| All-inclusive package | $3,000 – $8,000 | Includes all meals, drinks, and activities in the upfront cost, providing a hassle-free experience with no additional expenses |
Keep in mind that many all-inclusive honeymoon packages require proof of marriage and travel within 90 days of your wedding.
Popular honeymoon destinations
The right destination for your honeymoon will depend on your preferences as a couple. If you love hiking or road trips, you might choose to visit a national park. If you plan on lounging at a beach or by a pool, you may opt for a tropical getaway.
Common getaway locations include:
Sunny states like Hawaii, Florida, and California
National parks such as Yellowstone or Yosemite
Mexico or Caribbean islands like Jamaica
European countries like Italy, Greece, and France
Islands like the Maldives, Bora Bora, Bali, or Fiji
Australia or New Zealand
Ocean or river cruises
Thailand
Make sure you research your desired destination and plan for inclement weather. Depending on where you go, you may want to avoid hurricane or monsoon seasons.
Honeymoon FAQs
How long is a honeymoon?
Traditionally, a honeymoon lasts about 1 week, although some couples stay for up to 10 to 14 days. Newlyweds on a budget often choose to go on a mini-moon for 3 to 5 days instead of taking a long, expensive trip or going into debt to take one.
Who pays for the honeymoon?
The couple pays for their honeymoon in most cases. However, many couples choose to register at honeymoon registry sites instead of traditional wedding registries, which allows them to fund their honeymoon without having to ask for cash gifts or use credit cards to pay for it.
Why is it called a honeymoon?
The term "honeymoon" most likely originates from an old medieval tradition of newlyweds drinking mead, a honey-based alcoholic drink, for about one lunar cycle (a "moon" or month) after their wedding. It symbolizes the sweetness but fleeting nature of new love.
Is a honeymoon optional after marriage?
Yes, a honeymoon is completely optional, and going on one is a personal decision. Some couples can't wait to keep the party going after the wedding is over, while others are fine saving money by getting back to normal life afterward and saving their vacation days for another time.
Tips for planning a honeymoon
Planning a wedding is already a huge undertaking, so follow these simple steps to take some of the stress out of planning your honeymoon:
Ask friends and family for their favorite destinations and get firsthand knowledge on potential travel spots.
Check sites like Expedia for lists of the best honeymoon getaways around the world.
Talk with your significant other to see where you both might want to go. Don't be afraid to be creative and open to new ideas!
List the pros and cons of the top 2 to 3 destinations for comparison.
Remember that you may be tired after the wedding and all the work involved, so you may want to simply relax and be pampered.
Consider avoiding family-friendly hotels and stay at an adult-only hotel instead.
Decide if you’d want to dine at an all-inclusive resort every day or if you’d rather explore the area and eat elsewhere.
Choose any activities you'd like to add, like parasailing, hiking, snorkeling, a boat trip, or more.
Questions to ask honeymoon travel specialists
Ask a travel agent these important questions when planning your trip:
How many honeymoons have you planned?
What are the best honeymoon locations based on my interests and budget?
Have you ever traveled to this destination yourself?
What is the best time of year to travel there?
Can you recommend any activities or experiences?
How much would a honeymoon travel package cost?
Do you offer flexible payment plans?
Does this resort offer special honeymoon upgrades or surprises?
Will we need a rental car to get around this destination?
What visas or travel documents will we need?
Will we have to get any vaccinations to travel here?
What assistance do you provide if there are issues?
Do you recommend buying travel insurance? If so, which kind?
Do you make customized travel itineraries?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.