How Much Do You Spend on a Honeymoon? Real Numbers & Smart Tips

Raise your hand if you’ve ever looked up honeymoon packages and gotten instant sticker shock. You’re definitely not alone. The price tag for that first trip as a married couple can swing from just over a thousand bucks up to five figures—or more—depending on where you go, when you travel, and how fancy you want to get.

If you’re crunching numbers right now, the harsh truth is there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Most couples ending up spending anywhere from $4,500 to $8,000, according to travel industry data in 2025. And that’s not counting extras like airport snacks or those overpriced cocktails by the pool. But the cost isn’t just about the destination—things like flights, time of year, hotel upgrades, and what you plan to do play a bigger role than you might expect.

No one wants to start married life stressing about money, so knowing where your cash goes is half the battle. I’ll break down how couples like you are budgeting, where the money tends to sneak away, and how you can keep the romance without emptying your entire bank account. Trust me, you can still have an amazing trip without feeling ripped off.

• Average Honeymoon Costs in 2025
• Big Factors That Change the Price
• Budget-Friendly Honeymoon Ideas
• Where Couples Tend to Splurge
• Real Savings Tips from Couples

Average Honeymoon Costs in 2025

If you’re wondering what most couples actually pay for a honeymoon in 2025, you’ll want to hear this: The latest numbers (sourced from big travel booking sites and surveys like The Knot’s annual honeymoon survey from this year) say the typical spend lands between $4,500 and $8,000 for one to two weeks. That number includes flights, hotels, food, activities, and a few treats. Of course, the honeymoon cost can be a lot less—or more—depending on your choices.

Here’s a quick breakdown of average expenses for a couple booking a honeymoon destination out of the U.S.:

Simple math: Quick domestic trips (think Vegas or a cozy mountain cabin) might cost $2,000 to $3,500 if you keep things chill. But dream trips to the Maldives, Bora Bora, or Japan? Those will probably land closer to the $8,000+ mark, especially if you’re eyeing a private villa.

Couples booking through package deals sometimes find savings, but packages average about $5,500 for a week at a popular all-inclusive resort. For folks on a tighter budget, road trip honeymoons and off-season travel can bring the total under $3,000—if you’re strategic about flights and hotels.

So, is there a magic number for the perfect honeymoon? Not really. But at least now you can size up that price tag and know what’s realistic for your own honeymoon budget in 2025.

Big Factors That Change the Price

It’s not just about how far you fly—what you spend on a honeymoon can swing wildly based on surprisingly small decisions. The biggest wallet-hitter? Where you’re going and when. Plane tickets to Bali in July cost more than a trip to Mexico in September, partly because you’re competing with peak season prices and everyone else’s vacation plans. Flights can be almost double around major holidays and school breaks.

Accommodation is next. Some resorts, especially those branded as honeymoon destinations, toss in perks like free dinners or spa credits, which sound fancy but come with higher nightly rates. In cities like Santorini or Bora Bora, a private overwater villa will clear $800–$1,500 a night during peak season, while a beachfront hotel in Thailand could be $180.

How you travel onsite adds up fast, too. Want to book a private driver instead of using local taxis? That’s extra cash. Same goes for adventure tours, room upgrades, and fancy sunset dinners. Some couples stick to all-inclusive trips to control costs—food, drinks, and activities bundled together isn’t just convenient but can avoid surprise expenses.

Here’s a look at what typical couples spend on top travel elements, pulled from real bookings this past year:

Also, don’t ignore the little surprises: destination taxes, baggage fees, and the stuff nobody tells you like overpriced airport food or resort transfer shuttles. If you’re squeezing your honeymoon budget, keep those in the plan.

At the end of the day, your choices—destination, season, hotel style, and those sneaky extras—will make or break how much you spend. There’s no shame in picking what fits your wallet. Chasing deals is smart, but splurging on one or two special moments you’ll always remember? Worth every penny.

Budget-Friendly Honeymoon Ideas

Planning a honeymoon on a budget doesn’t mean settling for a boring trip. Some of the most memorable adventures happen when you get creative with where you stay and what you do. Think smaller crowds, local eats, and real discoveries—without crushing your wallet.

Staycations are making a big comeback this year. Instead of jetting off to a super popular (and pricey) spot, couples are checking out cool places within driving distance. National parks, quirky mountain towns, or even beach cabins a few hours away can turn into the perfect escape. You’ll get privacy, scenery, and, most importantly, more money left for fun stuff.

If you want to travel overseas but keep costs low, look at countries with a good exchange rate. Places like Portugal, Vietnam, Greece, or Mexico offer great food and beaches, but you won’t be hit with jaw-dropping bills at every turn. It helps to travel during the shoulder season—just outside peak holidays—since flights and hotels drop in price.

Packing smarter matters, too. Instead of expensive tours or resort packages, think about experiences you can do for free or for cheap, like hiking, exploring neighborhoods by bike, or grabbing street food. If you’re open to meeting new people, check out group discounts or last-minute deals on tour sites like Viator or GetYourGuide.

Here are some practical tips for keeping your honeymoon budget in check:

• Use travel reward points for flights or hotels—redemption rates are usually better right after wedding season.
• Book flights mid-week and set alerts for price drops to snag the best airfare.
• Pick places where your dollar goes further on things like meals, transit, and activities.
• Don’t write off all-inclusives; sometimes those package deals are a steal if you keep an eye out for flash sales.

I’ve seen couples come back with stories of awesome honeymoons where they spent way less than their friends. It’s all about being flexible and putting the focus on what you both enjoy most.

Where Couples Tend to Splurge

When it comes to honeymoon cost, there are a handful of spots where couples just can’t (or don’t want to) cut corners. Nobody wants their honeymoon to feel like a budget hotel stopover. If you’re curious where people willingly let the dollars fly, here’s what really tops the list:

• Upgraded Accommodations: Resorts with private pools, overwater bungalows, or ocean views are the biggest splurge for a reason. In 2025, the average honeymoon suite at a top Maldives resort can set you back $700–$1,200 a night, but lots of couples say the memories are worth it.
• Fancy Dinners: Celebratory meals, tasting menus, or beachfront candlelit dinners usually cost way more than your average night out—think $200+ per meal, if you go upscale.
• Excursions and Experiences: Think scuba diving in Bora Bora, private wine tours in Tuscany, or hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia. Even one or two signature activities can bump up your honeymoon budget by $300–$1,000 each.
• Spa Treatments: Couples’ massages and spa days can be surprisingly pricey. A single spa package for two at a luxury resort typically runs $250–$500.
• Travel Upgrades: Flying business class or booking private transfers instantly turns a regular trip into something high-end—at a steep price. International return flights in business class can add $2,000–$4,000 per person to the total honeymoon cost.

Here’s a quick look at what some of those «treat yourself» moments look like on the bill:

The common theme? Couples are happy to spend more for privacy, unique experiences, and those Instagram-worthy moments you just can’t do at home. The trick is to pick one or two big splurges that matter most to you both. That way, you get the full honeymoon magic—and still have cash leftover for your next adventure.

Real Savings Tips from Couples

Pinching pennies on your honeymoon cost isn't about sacrificing fun—it's about spending smart so you actually enjoy your first days together as a married pair. Over the past year, interviews with more than 100 couples by travel site Honeyfund highlighted what hacks actually worked. Here’s what they shared, with examples that save real cash.

• Be flexible on dates. Flights and hotels can cost double or even triple during peak season. If you can travel even a week after the wedding rush, you could knock 20-40% off your total bill.
• Book in advance—but not too far. Maya and I planned our trip to Costa Rica six months out and locked in an awesome deal. Prices tend to dip around the 3-6 month mark according to Expedia’s data for 2025. Wait too long and fares sneak back up.
• All-inclusive resorts aren’t always a deal. Many couples think these save money, but a survey by The Knot showed folks who skipped the all-in option actually spent less overall—mostly because they avoided pricey extras and wasted drinks.
• Use airline points or credit card perks. No lie, our flights were free because we racked up rewards with regular spending in the year before the wedding. Pool your points, and you could save $1,000+ easily.
• Skip the touristy stuff. Couples who ditched the packed tours and found local eats or beaches spent less and came home with better stories. One couple from Arizona skipped branded excursions in Greece, cooked their own meals, and spent about half the average.

Curious how these add up? Check out this real-world breakdown from couples who planned well.

The bottom line: The average couple who focused on these honeymoon budget tricks shaved around $2,500 off their trip—all without giving up sunset dinners or cool day trips. If you take away anything, it’s that a little research and flexibility go a long way when it comes to making your dream honeymoon destination fit your real-world wallet.