split trip expenses

Simplify the calculation of splitting group expenses

Ever get confused about who owes whom how much money when you're traveling with friends and dealing with expenses like rental cars and tolls? Spliito is a free service that simplifies the hassle of splitting bills on trips.

Calculate the simplest bill-splitting method

If you register records of money advances on the group page, a unique algorithm will calculate the simplest settlement method for you in real-time.

Easy to use without membership registration

No app installation required; you can use it immediately from your browser without membership registration. There's no need for friends you're traveling with to install the app.

Supports foreign currencies from all countries

Since it supports all foreign currencies, you can smoothly settle any money borrowed or lent during overseas travel in your own national currency.

Useful in various scenes besides travel

How to use spliito.

Create a group in just 1 minute!

Create a Group

First, create a group page. Enter the title of the event and the members. When going on an overseas trip, you can also select the foreign currency to be used in the group.

Share with Members

Share the URL of the group page with members via messaging apps. Only people who know the URL can access the group page.

Record Advances

Register who advanced how much money for what purchase to whom. Since all members can register, it reduces the burden on the organizer.

Check the Settlement Method

The settlement method allows you to check 'who needs to repay whom' and 'how much'. The settlement is calculated to be completed in the fewest number of transactions possible.

Easy splitting of group expenses

The simplest way to calculate who owes what, smartly manage debts between friends.

Kittysplit is the easiest way to share bills with friends. Period. No registration, no password, totally free.

Here's an example

Jack, Jane and John go on a skiing weekend together. Jack pays for the ski-hire; Jane pays the hotel; John pays for dinner.

Now who owes what?

Jack creates a kitty on Kittysplit and adds his own expenses one at a time.

Sharing the kitty

Once he's finished, Jack sends an email with a link to the kitty. John and Jane can enter what they paid.

Settling up

Everyone can then see how much they owe and to whom. They can settle up and get on with the fun things in life.

Kittysplit works on all platforms 🐱

It just works on every device that has a decent browser. No apps required.

How to split travel costs with friends and family

Figuring out how to split travel costs when vacationing with friends or family can be a tricky exercise. Case in point: I just came back from a girlfriends getaway where I quickly realized my friends had more money to spend on restaurants and ride-hailing services than I did. I didn't want to be the killjoy who insisted on skipping fancy French food in favor of cooking pasta in our Airbnb, but I was definitely anxious about what my final travel bill would look like.

Not only can group trips create stress around how much the weekend or week will cost, but there can be many questions about who will actually pay for each meal, ride or accommodation and how others will pay them back. No one wants to overpay — even if they are getting rewards points on the purchase.

It doesn't help that your desire to see family and friends, especially after being shut-ins during the coronavirus pandemic, may be at odds with skyrocketing food and travel costs that are outpacing your annual pay raise.

How do you agree on and split travel costs with family and friends so that everyone actually enjoys their getaway and comes home still on speaking terms? Here are seven tips for handling the finances on a group trip.

Discuss general trip costs before you book

Is this a $500-per-person trip or a $5,000-per-couple trip? To set yourselves up for success, take the pulse of the group to determine how much they can spend on this adventure.

It's not an easy ask. "We know that topics about money are taboo in general," says Sarah Foster, an analyst and economy reporter at Bankrate (a sister site of TPG). "A lot of the challenges that people face when committing to travel or going places with their friends can be fixed with the general idea of being comfortable talking about money."

This is especially crucial if you're planning a trip and then inviting others (such as a bachelor or bachelorette party). Your friends might be coming from vastly different financial situations. Give the group an estimate of what flights, accommodations, transportation, food and activities might cost, and then give the invited participants the chance to push back or back out.

And please don't shame anyone for choosing not to go into debt for a vacation they can't afford. The fear of missing out should they opt to stay home is painful enough; you don't want to make your friends feel like they have to choose between financial security and their relationship with you.

Be considerate of room and price disparity when booking accommodations

Unless you are booking identical hotel rooms in which everyone gets their own bed (or shares one), agree with your group on a fair way to allocate and pay for accommodations.

"I absolutely abhor when whoever booked the accommodations gets a smaller place under the assumption that if you're single, you don't need your own space or your own bed. If everyone is paying equally, everyone should get an equal amount of space/room to sleep," says Madison Blancaflor, a senior editor at TPG. She recommends dividing nightly lodging rates unequally, so folks can pay more for larger rooms or less for smaller or shared rooms.

Still, you should never assume anyone is OK with sleeping on a pullout sofa or sharing a bed with someone they're not married to without asking first. Even if they agree, do not charge them the same amount as the couple in the master bedroom ... unless everyone states they are fine with the arrangement.

Alternatively, look for vacation destinations where you can offer the group a range of accommodation styles and prices while keeping everyone in close proximity. For example, on a cruise or at a resort, the family matriarch or patriarch might book a large suite, perhaps with extra space for gatherings, while the grandkids occupy an inside cabin or smaller hotel room that faces a garden instead of the ocean.

Don't assume everyone wants to spend their vacation budget the same way

Some people travel to try the best restaurants in a destination, regardless of cost. Others prefer to dine on the cheap and spend their money on experiences, such as tours or attraction entry fees. Your friends might want to spend the night ordering craft cocktails at numerous bars, while you'd prefer to take in a concert or theater performance. Or, your parents might want to book every tour and enter every museum, while your budget dictates only enjoying free or low-cost activities.

These differences in which vacation activities are valuable to you versus your travel companions can lead to disagreements and hurt feelings when planning the day's activities. It can also make some tripmates uncomfortable when they end up spending more on activities than they'd planned.

To avoid any difficult situations arising, make a point to have the necessary conversation about how to spend your money while on vacation ahead of the trip so you can figure out a compromise. Perhaps group members take turns choosing the day's or evening's activities, or maybe you agree to split up at times according to interest and budget. Sometimes, wealthier grandparents or couples are willing to subsidize a pricier meal or activity the group would love to do so the more budget-conscious travelers don't have to worry about the cost. You won't know until you talk about it.

Remember the fine financial details

Your group may agree to split the restaurant bill, but that doesn't mean you've settled all the important details. Are you leaving a 15% or 25% tip? And how do you account for bad exchange rates when withdrawing money or credit card fees on foreign purchases? No one wants to nitpick, but it might be necessary to ease the stress of travelers on a budget.

Before you agree to split costs, check in with your travel companions to determine how price sensitive they are. Is $5 more here or there a deal-breaker, or are they fine with occasionally going slightly over budget? Be clear about which expenses will be shared and which the individual will have to take on themselves. The only right answer is the one you all agree on.

Use technology to make splitting expenses easier

"Everybody who has a travel rewards credit card or accumulates reward points knows how important it is to be the first one to slap your credit card down on a bill and pay for the group. But what is often overlooked is the repayment process," says Foster.

Splitting costs can become a nightmare when it's time to settle up. Your sister lost her receipts, your boyfriend's best friend wants you to cover his excessive beer buying and there's always someone you have to chase down for months to actually pay you back.

Plus, who owes what anyway? You don't want to divide a bill evenly if people's meals cost vastly different amounts.

"It's important to be aware of how you're splitting the bills on a trip and making sure that no one is overpaying," says Foster. If someone gets a couple of drinks at dinner but someone else doesn't drink at all, it's not fair to make that person subsidize her friend's cocktails. "Nothing makes trips that are supposed to be fun more awkward than the fear of someone at the table paying more than they technically spent, then being afraid to bring it up."

This is a problem, however, that technology can solve. Choose any of a number of cost-splitting apps or calculators, such as Splitwise, to keep track of expenses and figure out who owes whom what. You can enter expenses in the moment — some let you submit photos of the receipts themselves — and even determine who is responsible for splitting each individual payment if it's not the entire group every time. The app does the math and will streamline payments so you're not all simultaneously throwing money at each other.

Take turns paying for group expenses

Low-tech solutions to splitting travel costs work, too. Perhaps one person pays for all dinners and another pays for all transportation with ride-hailing services so it's clearer who needs to get paid and receipts are less likely to get lost. If one traveler really wants to benefit from all those credit card rewards and doesn't mind paying a lot upfront, designate that person to pay for all the group travel expenses. That way, the rest only have to pay one person at the end of the trip.

Alternatively, each person can take turns paying for things in the hopes that everyone spends a similar amount. Even if it's not exact, you won't have such large or complicated repayments at the end of the trip. And everyone gets a chance to earn points or miles on their credit card.

When all else fails, ask for separate checks

It's easier to have one person pay the entire restaurant bill or train fare, but if you're concerned about splitting travel costs fairly, sometimes it's better for everyone to pay for themselves. Ask for separate checks at restaurants, and have each traveler buy their own tour tickets with cash or credit as they see fit.

Look for apps and travel providers that have an option to let multiple people pay from the start. Uber and Airbnb both allow costs to be split from the get-go, so everyone pays as they go instead of settling up at the end.

Bottom line

Splitting vacation costs can quickly become a stressful part of your trip if you don't plan ahead. When multiple people are involved, you'll get just as many opinions on what the budget should be, what you should splurge on and how you'll pay for each expense. The most important thing you can do to prevent arguments or financial anxiety is to open the lines of communication and talk about all the money matters during the planning stage and while you're on the trip.

It may feel awkward to bring up finances, but remember who you're talking to. "Your family, your friends, they all care about you, and they wouldn't want you to put yourself in credit card debt," says Foster. "Everyone in the group does want the best things for you. It's just a matter of building up the courage to approach the conversation."

Once you've agreed on how to split the vacation costs, you can get on with what's most important — enjoying the trip and spending time together as a group.

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How to budget and split expenses on a group vacation

These tips for coordinating finances will help you make memories without creating resentment..

As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time for group travel plans to take shape. And while coordinating a family vacation or getaway with friends should be fun, the question of who pays for what can add stress to what should be a good time.

CNBC Select gives you some tips below on how to plan your budget and split your expenses when traveling with a group. That way, you can avoid unnecessary financial strain and focus on enjoying your travels. 

Figure out your costs

Establishing clear communication with everyone in the group about the trip's details goes a long way toward avoiding arguments when you're out and about. Whether in person or through email or text, have a candid conversation as a group about the following:

• What are the main transportation expenses for the trip?
• How much will accommodations cost?
• What group activities or experiences does each person prioritize? Are there any in particular that some group members are willing to pay more for, while others are not as interested in?
• How will expenses be tracked and paid for during the trip (cash, credit cards , payment apps)?

Once everyone in your group agrees with the trip details, it should be fairly simple to start calculating the cost of everything (i.e., flights, accommodations, group activities, etc.). This way, you can start creating a realistic budget for the group's shared expenses. If some group members don't feel comfortable with the cost of the trip, everyone can take some time to reassess the budget and see if there are any compromises that can be made to lower some costs.

If you're flying and it comes time to book your travel, you can do yourself a favor by using a credit card that earns you perks, like miles or points toward future travel. The  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  is a popular choice among those looking for travel-focused rewards and a lofty welcome bonus. Cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening an account — that works out to $750 when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

Find a way to split the expenses that's fair for everyone

Once you've agreed on a budget, your group can start to think about how these expenses can be split. Here are some recommended ways to approach this.

Dividing everything evenly vs. pay as you go

The simplest method is to split all expenses evenly among the group members. Although this approach requires the least amount of thought, it may not work well if members' personal budgets or activity preferences are wildly different from each other. For example, if you have a friend who insists on flying first class while the rest are happy in economy, then dividing airfare up evenly isn't fair for most of the group.

Again, this is where clear communication and compromises can help smooth things over. Determine as a group which of the trip's expenses can be split evenly for simplicity's sake, and which ones require a "pay as you go" method where each person shoulders the individual cost of their ticket, meal, etc. You can also adopt a "round robin" approach where each person takes turns covering the cost of one group activity during the trip. The important thing is for everyone to feel heard and to agree on the spending plan.

Assigning people a spending category

The group can also divide expenses by spending category. It requires more planning and coordination but can potentially reduce the overall cost of the trip.

While traveling, individuals may have credit cards that offer more bonus points for different categories. For instance, one person's card could earn more reward points for hotel bookings , while someone else's card earns more for dining out. By assigning each category of expenses to the respective credit card that offers the most points for that, the group can maximize the total rewards earned.

The  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (See rates and fees ), for instance, offers some of the highest rewards for booking hotel stays: cardholders can earn 5X miles on hotels (as well as rental cars) through Capital One Travel. The  Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , on the other hand, lets you earn up to 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) thereafter and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, making it a great fit for group road trips or for Airbnb stays where you plan to cook most of your meals. Terms apply.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

See rates and fees , terms apply.

There are a few pitfalls to consider with this approach. It could lead to inequities in spending, as some group members may not have credit cards that offer bonus points for specific categories. If only a few people are responsible for the majority of the expenses, you'll want to have a discussion about paying the cardholders back some of the money they've spent.

Money matters —  so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Use your apps

No matter how you decide to split expenses, using an app can simplify the process. Popular apps for sending and requesting money from others include Venmo and Zelle . 

Venmo is a digital payment platform that lets you send money to your friends, provided you've connected a bank account to the platform. Another app called Splitwise lets you easily log individual expenses and keep track of who owes whom for the entire trip. It also integrates with Venmo, so when it comes time to settle up you can easily get the money to where it belongs.

If you want to avoid using a third-party app to send money to friends, opt for Zelle since you can sign up for it straight from most mobile banking apps and send money without having to open a different app.

App-based splitting can be especially helpful for complex trips where there are a lot of different costs and many people involved. But if you stick to a traditional paper-and-pencil or spreadsheet approach, you should designate one or two group members to monitor expenses and coordinate payments at the end of the trip. 

Bottom line

There are many ways to make a group trip more enjoyable for everyone. To ensure a stress-free trip, think through money matters ahead of time, establish a realistic budget, and agree on a strategy to split expenses.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

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Forget about complicated spreadsheets!

Splittr helps you to split group expenses and is super easy to use. It's perfect for vacations, weekend trips, for household costs or any other group costs.

Simply add expenses as you go and Splittr will tell you who is next to pay and who owes whom how much.

Invite your friends and everybody can enter expenses.

- Works offline - Syncs with friends - No registration needed - All currencies supported - PDF and CSV export - It's FREE to download!

This is big time saver!

After a monster trip with over 200 entangled expenses among 7 people, I spent 2 days sorting things out, accounting by hand, and preparing an expense report. Then I thought "there must be an easier way!" I discovered this app. In 15 minutes of data entry, this app produced the same results it took me days to get! I was proud of my arithmetic, but I'd rather save the time!

Invaluable!!!

Just toured Italy with 6 couples. Got home and what did everyone say was the best part, not the wine... Splittr was the best part of the trip. Wouldn't travel in a group without it ever again. Great app, thanks!!!!

Fabulous app

Wow! I've needed this for years! 7 college friends get together for a long weekend every year in a different city. We usually have to create a complicated spreadsheet at the end of the weekend to figure out who owes who how much. This worked PERFECTLY!! Bravo bravo!

I love this app! It has totally revolutionized the way I travel with my family. I know this is probably an uncommon problem but when we travel my father insists on paying for everything for everyone which drives my poor mother crazy. Now we can all just let him produce his credit card and pay while we smile and enter everything into splittr. Then we even it up later. Thank you SO much splittr!!

So easy to use!!!

Highly recommend! Best cost split app after several similar apps trials. Never regret buying this app! Good job.

Perfect for girl friends weekend away

I found this in preparation for a weekend away with two friends from college. It was simple to use but allowed us to break everything down and in produced a report of who owed who what! It couldn't have made paying for everything easier! I highly recommend this app.

So convenient!

This app makes splitting trip expenses a breeze and takes all the stress out of evening up at the end. I've used this on several trips and the group is always grateful for this awesome tool.

I love this app! It's very straightforward and easy to use. It's especially good when expenses are not the same for everyone in the group.

Such a useful app!

I have used this to calculate who owes what for a roadtrip and I LOVE it!! I was trying to use Excel and it was a pain! Glad I found this just a few days in. It'll also be used when figuring out paying for gifts and such with coworkers!

First app I've ever written a review for. Super cool and very versatile. Used on a vacation with friends ... I'm the hero.

Best trip-reimbursement tool

Very convenient way to keep all your friends from hating each other after a trip! Does the math for you so you can focus on having a good time.

I can't say enough good things about this app. Made figuring cost sharing among three friends traveling in Italy a snap. Super easy to figure out, great reporting, does everything you need it to.

Must have for group trips

This is exactly what I needed for a road trip with my friends! Very slick nice app! Does everything VERY well.

Don't leave home without it

Travelled with friends to different countries thus different currencies. No problem as the app not only handled the splits of the costs but converted them to the home currency which made the final equalization payments a breeze once we got home. Brilliant.

Fantastic! Well worth the cost!

This is a fantastic app! I used it while away with a group of 9 women, and I can't think of a single scenario that it couldn't easily deal with. I can't make any recommendations for improvement because it's already completely functional and flexible. My friends all want the app now!

Excellent app. So useful.

Three of travel a lot together. We all take turns paying for various things. This app is perfect for keeping everything sorted out and is soooo easy to use. Great reports. Must have for multiple travellers!!!

Fantastic for Expense Splitting

Just got back from trip with two other friends. Put in all receipts, split costs between two or three people, equally or unequally depending on expense. It is so easy to use, love the equalization report - makes it so clear as to who owes whom what! If you travel with one or more other people you need this app!

Hassle-free Expense Sharing App

Splitpal is an expense splitting application designed with ease of use and dedicated itself to provide full functionality for free of charge.

SplitPal Downloads

Here what we have achieved in a short time since our release.

Split your expenses on different scenarios

Regardless of your use case, SplitPal is here to help track and split your expenses right away.

Split Restaurant Bills

SplitPal is developed to resolve complex itemized calculations on the spot and easily share with your friends. Assign each item and let the app calculate tip and taxes.

Split Travel Expenses

Figuring out splitting expenses during your vacation sure would be tiring with big group. SplitPal here to help with splitting travel expenses with different participants for each activity.

Split Rent, Utilities with Roommates

Use SplitPal as a roommate expense tracker to freely add your monthly expenses such as groceries, rent, utilities and so on with an ability of sharing through a simple link.

Split Bills Easily

Easily manage shared expenses with our convenient expense sharing app

Easy to use

Quickly add expenses with one click using the quick expense feature

No registration needed

Create and share expenses directly without signing up. Or you can sign-in with Gmail, AppleID or Email to track your expense.

Receipt scanner

Receipt scanner with precise OCR: you don't need to enter each item one by one. Simply scan your receipt and Splitpal Itemizes the expenses for you with amounts.

Collaboration made easy

After creating your group simply hit "Share Group Link". You can send the create link to your group to expense together.

One click to pay

Venmo integration makes payments easier! After settling, you can pay or request your expense amount with others.

Different splitting options

Even, uneven and itemized bill splitting options are available on Splitpal.

Works Everywhere

Use SplitPal on Any Platform

Through the splitpal app.

Use Splitpal basic features without login on the web or mobile. Just click on one of the app store links on top of the website and you can install our app on the OS of your preference.

Through SplitPal Portal

Don't want to install it on your phone? No problem, you can directly access SplitPal through your browser, responsively edited for mobile and PC. One click and it's ready to split!

Have a Question?

Here you can discover more about SplitPal’s awesome features. If you wish more features to come into the app, please contact us with your ideas!

You can easily create a new group from the webapp and mobile app.

On the web:

1. Navigate to app.splitpal.io and you will be prompted for for a group name. 2.  Once you enter in a name click create and start adding participants.

On Android and IOS:

1. Once you download splitpal from the Appstore or playstore, click start splitting on the homescreen. 2. on the Create a group screen, enter in a name for the group click create and start adding participants.

You can create a new group from the web and both mobile apps.

1. Click your name in the upper right hand corner of the home screen 2. Click ‘Create a new group’ in the drop-down

Note: On the web, you can add people to a group by name only (no contact info required).

1. Tap to navigate to your Groups tab 2. You should see an option to “Start a group” at the bottom of your list of groups

On Android:

1. Tap the more option (three vertical dots) in the top right corner of the screen 2. Choose ‘Create a group’

Simple click the Venmo Icon to pay with Venmo, your Venmo App will automatically Appears if you have it installed.

 You can’t join a group on your own – you’ll need a current member of the group to invite you. Ask that person to go to the group’s settings page and add you under the “Group members” section.

To remove someone from a group, just follow these steps:

• Make sure the person you wish to remove has no outstanding debts to anyone in the group. (If you have Simplify Debts on, they only need to have a $0 balance; if you have Simplify Debts off, they need to have all individual debts repaid.)
• Navigate to the group settings page by tapping the settings icon (in the upper right corner of the group’s screen in your mobile 
• Tap on the person’s name that you’d like to remove
• Select the option to remove them from the group

Changing the default will not change the currency of your existing bills. You can change the currency of any individual bill by opening the “Edit bill” screen, then clicking or tapping on the currency symbol, which should bring up a list of all currency options. Alternately, if you would like to switch the currency on all your existing bills at once, you can do so under “Advanced features” on the account settings page of our website.

Start sharing your expenses

And spend more time enjoying your occasion.

Clubs and Orgs

Campus Internship

How to Split Trip Expenses and Save Money: Practical Tips for Travel Budget Management

April 24, 2024

Planning a vacation with friends or family can be exciting, but splitting the trip expenses can sometimes be a hassle. It's important to find a cost-effective way to manage your travel budget and ensure everyone pays their fair share. In this blog post, we will provide you with practical tips on how to best split trip expenses and save money.

By following these steps, you will learn how to divide travel costs evenly, track expenses, and avoid any awkwardness or misunderstandings when it comes to money. Let's get started!

Before the trip, gather everyone involved and discuss the budget. This includes transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, and any other expenses. Make sure everyone is on the same page and willing to contribute.

Consider using a mobile payment platform like Switch to simplify the process of managing shared trip expenses. With Switch, you can create a pitch specifically for your trip, allowing everyone to contribute easily and track expenses in real-time. The app provides transparency and accountability, ensuring that everyone knows who has paid and who still needs to contribute.

Determine how expenses will be divided. You can choose to split everything equally among all participants or divide costs based on individual usage. For example, if one person will have a separate room or will participate in additional activities, they can cover the extra cost.

Establish a deadline for everyone to contribute their share of expenses. This will help avoid last-minute payments and ensure that everyone has enough time to budget accordingly.

Throughout the trip, keep track of all expenses using a shared document or spreadsheet. This will help you monitor the overall spending and make it easier to calculate individual contributions at the end of the trip.

Be prepared for unexpected expenses that may arise during the trip. Discuss how these will be handled and decide as a group how to split the costs.

At the end of the trip, gather all the receipts and calculate the final contributions. Ensure that everyone has paid their share and make any necessary adjustments based on actual expenses.

Once the final contributions are calculated, use Switch to settle the expenses. With its unique virtual debit cards and easy payment options, you can quickly distribute the money among the participants, making the process seamless and stress-free.

By following these steps and utilizing a platform like Switch, you can split trip expenses efficiently, save money, and enjoy a budget-friendly vacation without any financial worries. Say goodbye to awkward IOU tracking and hello to an enjoyable and stress-free travel experience!

In summary, Switch is the ideal tool to help you split trip expenses and save money. With its intuitive design and features like real-time expense tracking, payment transparency, and easy settlement, Switch ensures a seamless and hassle-free travel budget management experience. Don't let money get in the way of creating amazing travel memories!

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Is it possible to successfully split costs on a group trip?

By CNT Editors

Travel Debates is a series in which our editors weigh in on the most contentious issues that arise in-transit, like whether you should ever switch seats on a plane or if you should check your work email while on vacation.

“It’ll be fun,” they say. “We’ll all be together!” Suddenly, you are lured into a group trip. But when the check comes, do you all put your cards down together? 

Group trips can be very meaningful . Travelling with dear friends or family , or some combination of the two, seems like an easy “yes” on paper: transplant your beloveds to a beloved destination and enjoy the ensuing pleasures in their company. But travel is trying. Very rarely does one make it home from a trip without first dipping their toe into the pool of the lowest self (who among us has not snapped at someone after a long journey?). When money is involved – and money is always involved – a host of new challenges may be presented.

How do you split costs on a group trip? There is no right or wrong answer, for everybody’s relationship with their travel companions and with their bank accounts is different. Those inclined to generosity can quickly be taken for granted, and the most budget-conscious among us may end up feeling alienated. Here, our editors weigh in on their approach to the unavoidable, but not unavoidably awkward, task of sharing expenses such as accommodation , group dinners, and more. 

Get on the same page

The most important part of a group trip is setting a budget beforehand – agree upon how much money everyone is willing to spend on core things like accommodation and activities. Once that's out of the way, I think splitting group expenses is pretty easy with payment tracking apps like Splitwise ; rather than splitting every single meal six ways (I want the points, anyway) we take turns footing the bill and tracking who owes what on the group tab via the app. At the end of the trip, we have a clear and easy way to settle up, and typically it's not much if you divide the shared expenses the right way. Shannon McMahon, destinations editor

Ask one friend to shoulder the responsibility –and rack up rewards in the process

The least stressful group trips I’ve been on were the ones where one person generously offered to make their credit card the designated card to pay with (it will definitely rack up some points). This includes the cost of the Airbnb , group meals, and any big shared activity. It’s important to set clear expectations for the group of when everyone will pay their share, whether it be the last day of the trip or within the week following. At the end of the trip, that person divides up the trip cost by the total number of guests and it’s an easy, equal split. This eliminates the very annoying – and sometimes awkward – splitting of multiple cards at the dinner table each night. Venmo comes in handy to quickly send money or to request a specific amount from each group member. Another tip for group trips: always bring some cash for easy on the spot payments and tips. Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor  

Don’t sweat the small stuff

There is nothing I loathe more than the dance of splitting the check, and so I tend to fling my card down immediately upon seeing the thing. Some friends will actually exclaim “hey!” upon realising that I’ve paid while they were blinking. In the case of group trips, I have wound up paying more than my fair share on several occasions on account of my own inability to let the bill sit there and this is my cross to bear. But big purchases like the hotel room and the car rental and so forth should be divided between the participating parties and paid in advance if possible. It is never fun to play the role of the debt collector after the fact. Charlie Hobbs, editorial assistant

Simplify shared expenses with friends

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Create a group and split bills in seconds. Turn tedious calculations into simple, quick actions. Track who owes who, and settle up with integrated payment apps. Recurring expenses, activity log, spending charts, and more!

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“My only feedback for now is that UX of your app is way better compared to Splitwise, appreciate your work man!”

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Upload a photo of your receipt and we will automatically itemize your receipt items, so you can split per item, multi-currency included!

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Best Bill-Splitting Apps

Figuring out who owes what will never be an issue again

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

In the past, splitting the cost of bills and expenses was a clumsy process. You had to calculate who owed what, then go through the tedious task of collecting money from each person. And since fewer people are carrying cash these days, settling up gets even more difficult. That is, until bill-splitting apps were introduced.

Bill-splitting apps let you divide up the cost of things like group dinners and group trips so that everyone can pay their fair share. The best bill-splitting apps also connect to a credit or debit card or another peer-to-peer payment platform, making it much easier for everyone to cover their share of the expense right away, even down to the penny. With bill-splitting apps, you’ll be able to keep the peace between friends by cutting down on squabbles about who owes what to whom. 

Best Bill-Splitting Apps of 2024

• Best Overall: Splitwise
• Runner-Up, Best Overall: SettleUp
• Best for Group Dinners: Plates by Splitwise
• Runner-Up, Best for Group Dinners: Tab
• Best for Group Trips: Splid
• Most Versatile: Cash App
• Our Top Picks
• Plates by Splitwise
• See More (3)
• Methodology

Best Overall : Splitwise

• Cost : Free (with optional paid upgrade)
• Platforms : Android, iOS, web

Splitwise is a full-featured mobile app that makes it simple to split expenses and track borrowing and lending over time. Its helpful tools and user-friendly interface make it our top choice among bill-splitting apps.

Lets you create unique groups to split expenses

Option to export expenses to a CSV file

Range of features may overwhelm new users

Free for the web, iPhone, and Android, Splitwise is the most versatile of all the bill-splitting apps on our list and fits most situations where you need to split costs between multiple people. You can create groups with various friends and divide up what each person owes. All your shared expenses and IOUs are organized in one place, and everyone in the group can see the amount they owe.

The app tracks borrowing and lending over time. And until the balance is settled, each person’s outstanding balance may go up and down. Splitwise sends reminder notifications about your balances and you’ll find a tally of the amount you owe on the homepage. Payments can be settled with PayPal or Venmo directly from the app, or if the person who owes you pays in cash, you can record a cash payment to clear up the outstanding balance.

Runner-Up , Best Overall : SettleUp

• Platforms : Android, iOS, web, Windows

Settle Up supports both simple and complicated payment scenarios, and it's particularly handy when you're traveling internationally and you need to split costs in a different currency.

Works offline

Offers real-time exchange rates

Free version has ads

Can only upload pics of receipts with paid version

Settle Up can handle a variety of payment scenarios: When one person pays or multiple people have paid, it can split payments evenly based on the amounts or allow you to select individual amounts for each person to pay. The share function allows you to send expenses via a link. Expenses are backed up and synced for all people in the group so each person can see them.

If you’re traveling internationally, Settle Up offers all currencies and real-time exchange rates. The app's free version will display ads occasionally, which can get annoying if you’re a heavy user. The app's premium version doesn’t have ads, allows you to add photos of receipts, and lets you customize groups with color.

Best for Group Dinners : Plates by Splitwise

 Plates by Splitwise

• Cost : Free
• Platforms : iPhone

With the option to add up to 10 people, Plates by Splitwise makes it simple to split the cost of even the most complicated group dinners.

Drag and drop features lets you calculate totals easily

Option to split evenly or customize

Only available for iPhone

There are two types of group diners—those who don’t mind splitting the bill evenly and those who want to precisely split the bill based on what they owe exactly. Plates by Splitwise lets you handle both. The iPhone-only app gives everyone in the group a “plate.” Then as you add items to the group, they can be placed on a specific person’s plate or split up among the entire group.

For example, shared items like appetizers would be split among the entire group or just a few people in the group. The app can handily accommodate large parties by allowing you to add up to 10 people to each group. Once you’ve divided up the food among all the plates you can add in tax and tip. The app is made by the same company as Splitwise and is completely free. The only downside is that the app isn’t available for Android users.

Runner-Up , Best for Group Dinners : Tab

• Platforms : Android, iOS

With seamless Venmo integration and a handy image upload option, Tab takes the headache out of splitting group dinners.

Option to upload picture of receipt for easy bill-splitting

Can customize splits for special events like birthdays

No web app available

We’ve all been to group dinners and the server brings out just one check—or the restaurant has a policy of not splitting up checks for large groups. Tab solves the headache of figuring out what each person owes. Each person in the group can pay for the items they ordered without having to send the server back to separate the ticket.

Take a picture of the order receipt and the app automatically reads the items from a receipt. This nifty feature saves you from having to enter the amounts for each item. Everyone in the group can join the same bill from their phones and tap the items they ordered to claim them. The tax and tip are divided proportionally among each person in the group. Then, each person gets an itemized total for their items. You can settle up the payment by using Venmo—which is integrated within the app—or by recording a cash payment if friends settle up using a different payment method. You can even use the app to evenly split up the tab for a birthday dinner.

Best for Group Trips : Splid

While it's not specifically for splitting travel expenses, Splid's easy-to-use app is handy for dividing trip costs no matter where you travel.

Supports more than 150 currencies

User-friendly interface

No web-based app

Splitting up the cost of group trips can be tough. Splid allows you to add in all the expenses of a trip and then split it up among each person on the trip. The app is useful for splitting up non-trip expenses as well. Multiple payees can be added to each expense, for example, if two people covered the cost of groceries upfront, but five people need to chip in on the bill. You can settle up bills in different currencies—choosing from more than 150 currencies.

If you need an offline record of the expenses, you can download a PDF or Excel file with a comprehensive summary of all the expenses. The app is free to use for just one group.

Most Versatile : Cash App

 Square Cash

In addition to enabling users to send and receive payments, Cash App can also be used for banking and investing, making it one of the most versatile apps on our list.

Debit card is available

Has an investing option

Charges a 3% fee for credit card transactions

Cash App doesn’t have bill-splitting payment functionality built-in—not yet at least—but because it’s a peer-to-peer payment platform, it can be useful for splitting payments. Once you’ve determined how a payment should be split, you can send a payment request to each person in the group right through the app. They can open their Cash App and send payment based on your request. Then, once you’ve been paid, you can “cash out” and get a deposit to your bank account or use your cash card (a virtual debit card) to make purchases just like you would with your debit card.

The app is free as is sending money via debit card. Credit card payments are charged a 3% fee and instant deposits to your checking account are charged a 0.5%-1.75% ($0.25 min) fee. However, regular transfers to your bank are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a bill-splitting app do.

A bill-splitting app is an app you can download on your smartphone or tablet and use on the go for splitting bills. It divides the cost of the bill that is being split and assigns each person their cost down to the penny. Some bill-splitting apps can be connected to your financial institution or other payment apps and peer payment platforms, so bills can be split and paid immediately. You don’t need to worry about underpaying or overpaying when you go out with a group of friends because the bill-splitting app helps you fairly divide the costs. 

When Would You Use a Bill-Splitting App?

Most people don’t carry as much cash as they used to, so a bill-splitting app is often the convenient and easy way to divide the costs of a bill. You might use a bill-splitting app when you dine out with friends, purchase a gift that multiple people contribute to, or plan a group trip.

How Much Does a Bill-Splitting App Cost?

Most of the bill-splitting apps are free. However, not all of them are available for Android users, and some bill-splitting apps offer free and paid versions. The paid versions typically don’t carry ads and offer more features, such as photos of receipts. Paid versions are generally inexpensive and may cost as little as $1.99. Other apps may charge fees to use a checking account or up to 3% to use a credit card with the app. 

How We Chose the Best Bill-Splitting Apps

To choose our list of the best bill-splitting apps, we evaluated several options, considering factors like app functionality, availability, features, options to integrate with other payment apps, and user reviews. All of the apps we've selected offer an excellent user experience and features that appeal to consumers looking to simplify bill-splitting in specific categories or in general.

Brothers91 / Getty Images

App Store. " Splid ."

Cash App. " Cash App Terms of Service ."

Splitwise 4+

Split expenses with friends, splitwise, inc..

• #28 in Finance
• 3.4 • 11.2K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Splitwise is the easiest way to share expenses with friends and family and stop stressing about “who owes who”. Millions of people around the world use Splitwise to organize group bills for households, trips, and more. Our mission is to reduce the stress and awkwardness that money places on our most important relationships. Splitwise is great for: - Roommates splitting rent and apartment bills - Group trips around the world - Splitting a vacation house for skiing or at the beach - Weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties - Couples sharing relationship costs - Friends and co-workers who go out to lunch or dinner together frequently - Loans and IOUS between friends - And so much more Splitwise is simple to use: - Create groups or private friendships for any splitting situation - Add expenses, IOUs, or informal debts in any currency, with support for offline entry - Expenses are backed up online so everyone can log in, view their balances, and add expenses - Keep track of who should pay next, or settle up by recording cash payments or using our integrations We also have powerful features that can handle almost any money sharing situation. Here are some of our industry-leading features: - Multi-platform support for smartphones and web - Simplify debts into the easiest repayment plan - Expense categorization - Calculate group totals - Export to CSV - Comment directly on expenses - Split expenses equally or unequally by percentages, shares, or exact amounts - Add informal debts and IOUs - Create bills that reccur monthly, weekly, yearly, fortnightly - Add multiple payers on a single expense - See total balances with a person across multiple groups and private expenses - Custom user avatars - Cover photos for groups - Activity feed and push notifications help you stay on top of changes - View your edit history for changes to an expense - Any deleted group or bill can be restored easily - World-class customer support - Pay back using our integrated payments: Venmo and PayPal (US only), Paytm (India only) - 100+ currencies and growing - 7+ supported languages Endorsements: “Makes it easy to split everything from your dinner bill to rent.” - NY Times "Fundamental for tracking finances. As good as WhatsApp for containing awkwardness." – The Financial Times “I never fight with roommates over bills because of this genius expense-splitting app”- Business Insider “The Single Best App You Can Download for Group Trips of Any Kind” - Thrillist “Life Changing! I don’t review many things, but this app has seriously improved my quality of life. It has saved my sanity when it comes to splitting utilities, mortgage, groceries, dog expenses...the list goes on. No more saving receipts, making spreadsheets, and manually calculating each month. So handy for group trips/weekends, too! THANK YOU!!” – Courtney via the App Store We offer in-app purchases for “Splitwise Pro”, the benefits of which are described below. The subscription amount will be charged to your App Store account and will vary by plan and country. You’ll see the total price before completing your first payment. If you don’t choose to purchase “Splitwise Pro”, you can continue using Splitwise for free. Premium Subscription Service “Splitwise Pro”: 1. Store high-resolution receipts in the cloud (10GB cloud storage) 2. OCR integration for scanning and itemizing receipts 3. Backups to JSON, downloadable from our website 4. Convert expenses to different currencies using our Open Exchange Rates integration 5. Access to “spending by category” budgeting tools and other charts 6. Search full expense history “Splitwise Pro” subscriptions purchased in-app renew monthly or yearly depending on your plan. Plan pricing may vary by country. To avoid renewal, you must turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before your subscription ends. You can turn off auto-renew at any time by visiting the App Store. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: https://www.splitwise.com/terms

Version 24.4.2

Various fixes and improvements.

Ratings and Reviews

11.2K Ratings

Taking away free features

I’m someone who goes through finances once a month. I review all my transaction in all my accounts to check for accuracy and to monitor spending habits. I use that same time each month to enter receipts in Splitwise. This has worked out fine, until a couple weeks ago when Splitwise added a limit to how many receipts a user can enter each day. Now I can only enter four receipts at a time without paying $5/month. The app is now completely useless to me. This tactic isn’t new for app developers. When apps become moderately successful, they slowly remove all utility from their free versions in favor of pro versions. It’s a bait and switch, plain and simple. LastPass did the same thing, which drove away a chunk of their user base. Splitwise will be “wise” to rethink their approach for the future. I’ll be deleting my Splitwise account in favor of an Excel spreadsheet. Is the UI less appealing? Will the process be slightly more difficult? Will I be urging friends to abandon the app every chance I get? Yes, yes and absolutely.

For meals, promises a lot, delivers on little

When using this app on my phone, anytime I switch over to my calculator app to crunch some numbers, it closes out of an expense I’m working on. This drives me 100% absolutely nuts because there’s no way to save a draft, your progress, nothing. I had to redo one expense 4 times. That aside, it took me 15 minutes to figure out how to split a simple lunch bill among four people because (1) the UX is a real problem; (2) what in this good Earth is this “shares” feature that has little to no use in real life because no restaurant designs their menus this way and nobody orders this way; (3) not enough development is put into the dollar amount entry feature and why does it give me so many problems about the sum not adding up when I clearly know that it doesn’t and am trying to fix the issue but the app won’t let me leave without deleting everything… I literally needed to find out what the tax rate was for certain restaurants (ones that charge hidden taxes, a fight for another day) and it wouldn’t let me do that without restarting completely. I literally would rather pull out all my hair and an abacus than deal with this app another time and any friend of mine who suggests using this app is disinvited to future hangouts until they learn the error of their ways or this app fixes its problems.

Used to be Great

I used to LOVE this app! I’ve used it for years between different groups of roommates I’ve lived with, and to manage personal expenses with my partner. I love the interface of the app, how easy it is to use, and the different options for dividing expenses. That all changed today. I opened the app today to add in my expenses for a couple recent grocery shopping trips for my roommates and each time I wanted to add an expense I had to wait for ad to play, which was new and annoying, but I dealt with it. Then after I added 4 (just 4!) expenses I was met with a pop-up saying that I had reached the maximum number of expenses I could input today and I had to either upgrade to the pro version or wait until tomorrow to input more. I commonly put in 10 or 15 expenses all at once so I only have to do money management once or twice a month. There is nothing in the pro version of this app that I will use and it’s not worth the money just to be able to add my expenses when just a month ago I could add as many as I wanted to for free; which is why I specifically downloaded this app, as a free way to manage expenses with my roommates and partner. I will be deleting the app today and switching to a different app that allows me to do the same things Splitwise used to do for free.

App Privacy

The developer, Splitwise, Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• User Content
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai

• Splitwise Pro $4.99
• Splitwise Pro $2.99
• Splitwise Pro $29.99
• Splitwise Pro $39.99
• Splitwise Pro $3.99
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7 Apps That Make It Simple to Split the Bill

Good things come in big packages, like ordering a steer directly from the local farmer or pooling your neighborhood grocery shopping into one big Costco run. But figuring out who owes what can be a spreadsheet nightmare. Luckily, we've rounded up seven of our favorite apps to help you eliminate receipt hoarding forever.

If you need a new phone to put these apps on, we rounded up our favorite cheap phones here .

Updated May 2020: We refreshed this list and added more services, like Splitwise.

Free for Android , iPhone

Splittr makes splitting bills super easy. You simply create the trip or event, then add individual expenses for that activity. From there, you can add the parties involved in that activity and how much each person contributed thus far. Then the app does its magic and figures out each person's current balance, as well as who owes what (and to whom) at the end of the trip.

Free for Android , iPhone , Web

Splitwise is a favorite of the WIRED Gear team. It has a more attractive and user-friendly interface and a pro version that lets you track spending by category, store high-resolution receipts, and convert bills by exchange rate if you're splitting expenses with people in other countries. Splitwise also makes an additional app called Plates by Splitwise that's designed specifically for splitting restaurant (takeout) bills. One caveat: You can't pay up inside the app—you've got to use real life money, or do that using another app ... like Venmo!

Free for Android , iPhone , Web (limited features)

Venmo is the way to go for things like paying a friend back for lunch, or paying rent or bills to a master tenant (or tech-savvy landlord). If your roommates owe you money for rent, they can either send you the money they owe through the app (free of charge if you use a debit card or connect your bank account), or you can send a charge for them to fulfill. You can complete the payment in the app, or do so by replying to a text message notification with a specific code. Venmo was acquired by PayPal, but the app experience is more friendly, social, and streamlined than PayPal's app.

GroupMe is mostly a group chatting service, but it does have a feature called Split. This is great for funding a group event, or requesting compensation after the fact. In a GroupMe group, simply click the paperclip icon to the left of the message compose field, tap collect, and enter how much each person owes you. Folks pay via credit card (there's a 3.5 percent charge plus 30 cents for each contributor), and you're notified when everyone has ponied up. If someone doesn't have the app, you can get and share a custom link for them to pay over the web.

Free for Android , iPhone , Windows 10 , Web

Another option for splitting bills among a group is SettleUp . You can create a group and all its members will be able to see expenses and add to them. It works for travel groups, roommates, couples, and anyone else who needs a way to keep expenses and bills organized.

Another option for sending and receiving money between friends or contacts is Square Cash or Google Pay . Both services also let you send and receive money via email. With Square Cash, just link your debit card to your account, then enter the recipients email address, Cc [email protected] on the email, and enter the amount in the subject line. If you want to request money, it's the same process, but you Cc [email protected] instead. It's all done in the app. With Google Pay, you can send or receive money for free from a linked bank account, or send money with a 2.9 percent transaction fee with a debit or credit card. You can also tap the "Attach Money" icon in Gmail to send it via email.

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Split bills for shared group expenses. We tell you who owes whom and how to settle debts in groups.

What you get.

Very often on holiday, at partys, for presents or in free-time everyone pays something for a group of people. Calculating the payments afterwards to even out the group can be a daunting and complicated task (even with a calculator) - especially when some expenses are not shared with all group members. billzer.com helps you with that: After you entered everyone's name and the spendings she or he had for the group, the billzer calculator tells you who owes whom how much and how to settle debts in the group. It is also possible for expenses not be shared with the whole group and only among specific people.

Good to know...

Why this site.

Calculating the right amounts of money and the transactions (who pays to whom how much) to clear a group's shared costs and to settle debts for payback can be tedious task - often only solved with the help of spreadsheets. It even becomes more complicated when one or more community spendings are not shared by the whole group (e.g. one friend did not want to join the group for the museum trip paid by another friend for everyone). We therefore established billzer.com to provide people with an easy, free, fast and realiable way to split up their group expenses after holidays, partys, shared presents, festivals, vactions, trips, weddings, roadtrips or in clubs and shared apartments and so much more. Everything happens in the browser without the need for signup or the installation of an App on mobile phones. It is our mission to save groups in which everyone paid some bills from arguments and wasting time after the fun is over.

Is It Possible to Successfully Split Costs on a Group Trip?

By CNT Editors

Travel Debates is a series in which our editors weigh in on the most contentious issues that arise in-transit, like whether you should ever switch seats on a plane or if you should check your work email while on vacation.

“It’ll be fun,” they say. “We’ll all be together!” Suddenly, you are lured into a group trip . But when the check comes, do you all put your cards down together? 

Group trips can be very meaningful . Traveling with dear friends or family, or some combination of the two, seems like an easy “yes” on paper: transplant your beloveds to a beloved destination and enjoy the ensuing pleasures in their company. But travel is trying. Very rarely does one make it home from a trip without first dipping their toe into the pool of the lowest self (who among us has not snapped at someone after a long journey?). When money is involved—and money is always involved—a host of new challenges may be presented.

How do you split costs on a group trip? There is no right or wrong answer, for everybody’s relationship with their travel companions and with their bank accounts is different. Those inclined to generosity can quickly be taken for granted, and the most budget-conscious among us may end up feeling alienated. Here, our editors weigh in on their approach to the unavoidable, but not unavoidably awkward, task of sharing expenses such as accommodation , group dinners, and more. 

Get on the same page

The most important part of a group trip is setting a budget beforehand—agree upon how much money everyone is willing to spend on core things like lodging and activities. Once that's out of the way, I think splitting group expenses is pretty easy with payment tracking apps like Splitwise ; rather than splitting every single meal six ways (I want the points, anyway) we take turns footing the bill and tracking who owes what on the group tab via the app. At the end of the trip, we have a clear and easy way to settle up, and typically it's not much if you divide the shared expenses the right way. —Shannon McMahon, destinations editor

Ask one friend to shoulder the responsibility—and rack up rewards in the process

The least stressful group trips I’ve been on were the ones where one person generously offered to make their credit card the designated card to pay with (it will definitely rack up some points ). This includes the cost of the Airbnb, group meals, and any big shared activity. It’s important to set clear expectations for the group of when everyone will pay their share, whether it be the last day of the trip or within the week following. At the end of the trip, that person divides up the trip cost by the total number of guests and it’s an easy, equal split. This eliminates the very annoying—and sometimes awkward—splitting of multiple cards at the dinner table each night. Venmo comes in handy to quickly send money or to request a specific amount from each group member. Another tip for group trips: always bring some cash for easy on the spot payments and tips. — Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor  

Don’t sweat the small stuff

There is nothing I loathe more than the dance of splitting the check, and so I tend to fling my card down immediately upon seeing the thing. Some friends will actually exclaim “hey!” upon realizing that I’ve paid while they were blinking. In the case of group trips, I have wound up paying more than my fair share on several occasions on account of my own inability to let the bill sit there and this is my cross to bear. But big purchases like the hotel room and the car rental and so forth should be divided between the participating parties and paid in advance if possible. It is never fun to play the role of the debt collector after the fact. — Charlie Hobbs, editorial assistant

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Need To Divide Travel Expenses With A Group? Splitwise Is The App For That

Traveling with friends or family can often involve a lot of shared expenses, from accommodation and meals to transportation and activities. Keeping track of who owes what can be a major hassle, especially when the trip is over and everyone has gone their separate ways. Splitwise is a financial service that aims to streamline this process, providing a free app for users to simplify the division of shared costs.

Splitwise’s travel calculator is a feature within the app that specifically caters to travel-related expenses, offering an easy way for groups to ensure that every member pays a fair share. By inputting various costs and individual contributions, the calculator can quickly figure out the remaining balances. Whether it’s renting a car for a day trip or splitting the cost of a week-long vacation rental, the tool is designed to handle the math, making the financial side of group travel more manageable and less tense.

Be sure to check them out at: https://www.splitwise.com/

What is Splitwise?

Splitwise is a free app and web-based platform designed to simplify the process of splitting expenses between friends, roommates, travel companions, or any group. It eliminates the hassle of IOUs and awkward payment reminders, helping people manage shared costs fairly and easily.

How Splitwise Works

• Track Expenses: Users create groups within the app and add expenses as they occur. Each expense includes details like the total amount, who paid, and who should be splitting the cost.
• Calculate Balances: Splitwise automatically tracks who owes who, providing a clear overview of debts within the group.
• Simplify Payments: The app suggests the most efficient way to settle up, minimizing the number of transactions needed to get everyone even. Users can integrate with payment platforms like PayPal or Venmo to directly send and receive payments within the app.

Key Features

When to use splitwise.

• Roommate living situations
• Trips with groups of friends
• Recurring shared bills (utilities, subscriptions)
• Family gatherings or events with shared costs
• Any situation where multiple people need to split expenses

Benefits of Using Splitwise

• Reduces financial awkwardness and tension between friends
• Eliminates complicated calculations
• Encourages prompt repayment
• Provides a transparent record of shared expenses
• Available as both a mobile app and web platform for convenience

Key Takeaways

• Splitwise offers an easy solution for managing and splitting travel expenses.
• The travel calculator feature simplifies calculating each person’s share of the costs.
• The app is free for users and supports a range of shared expense situations.

Getting Started With Splitwise

Splitwise helps people manage shared expenses with ease, particularly useful for activities like group trips. By setting up an account, adding expenses, and understanding how to manage payments and splits, everyone involved can keep track of who owes what.

Creating an Account and Setting up a Group

Firstly, anyone looking to use Splitwise must create a personal account on the app, which is available on web, iPhone, and Android platforms. After registering, users can start a new group for their trip and invite friends to join. Each group acts as a separate space for managing the group’s shared expenses, from accommodations to bills and daily expenses. When inviting members, users simply send a connection request using an email address or by selecting friends already using the app.

Adding Expenses and Managing Payments

Once a group is active, participants can begin adding expenses. To do this, they simply record a bill or receipt in the app, specifying the amount and who paid it. Splitwise then distributes the cost among the group according to the preferences set, such as equally or based on individual usage. Payments can be tracked within the app, and group members can settle debts using integrated payment services like PayPal or Venmo or by recording cash payments.

Understanding Splits and Settlements

Understanding splits and settlements is essential for maintaining financial harmony. Splitwise provides various methods to divide expenses, including equally among all participants or by different shares that the group agrees on. The app also keeps track of all balances, showing who owes money to whom. Once ready to settle up, the app calculates the simplest way for members to repay their debts, helping ensure that repayments are handled smoothly.

Advanced Features and Tips

Splitwise offers a number of sophisticated features to manage finances during group travel, from handling multiple currencies to unlocking additional tools in the paid version. This section provides tips on using these advanced capabilities to their full potential.

Handling Multiple Currencies and International Trips

When on international trips with friends, dealing with different currencies can make splitting expenses confusing. Splitwise simplifies this by allowing users to record expenses in any currency. The app then converts the amounts using current exchange rates, so everyone knows exactly how much they owe in their preferred currency. It’s key to update the exchange rates regularly to reflect accurate costs.

Leveraging Charts and Itemization for Better Finance Management

For better insight into group trip expenses, Splitwise provides visual tools like charts and graphs, making it easy to see where the money goes. An expense search function helps locate specific costs, and the ability to itemize expenses means users can split costs down to the last penny. For instance, if one person covered rent for an apartment while another purchased groceries, the costs can be itemized and managed separately, ensuring fair shares for all.

Exploring Paid Features for Enhanced Functionality

Those handling detailed finances for a group trip might consider the paid version of Splitwise, which includes extra tools for even smoother financial management. Users can export expense reports to Excel , making it easier to view and manipulate data offline. The paid version also allows for receipt scanning, saving time by automatically recording expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

When planning a trip with others, figuring out how to divide the costs can be tricky. This section provides answers to some common questions regarding the sharing of travel expenses, ensuring everyone pays a fair share.

How do you accurately calculate the cost of a trip among several participants?

To calculate trip costs accurately among multiple people, it becomes essential to consider all shared expenses and divide them proportionally based on agreed-upon factors. These might include the length of stay or the exact expense incurred by each person. Tracking every cost down to the last penny may be necessary for total accuracy.

What methods are available for splitting travel expenses with guests?

Several methods are possible for splitting travel expenses, including dividing equally among everyone, assigning specific costs to certain individuals, or splitting based on usage or length of stay. The chosen method should be straightforward and accepted by all participants to avoid confusion or conflict.

Which app is recommended for managing and sharing trip costs efficiently?

Splitwise is highly recommended for managing and sharing trip costs. It is a versatile app accessible on the web, iPhone, and Android, enabling users to create groups, add expenses, and calculate how much each person owes.

Is there an online calculator that allows for an easy split of trip expenditures?

Yes, the Splitwise Travel Calculator is an online tool specifically designed to help with splitting trip expenditures. It takes into account different aspects such as total costs and the group’s size to work out each person’s share.

What are the best practices for dividing rent and travel costs among multiple people?

The best practices for dividing rent and travel expenses include clear communication from the start, using a reliable tracking system, and deciding on a fair method of splitting costs, such as equal shares, percentage of income, or usage-based. Always ensure agreements are made in advance to prevent misunderstandings.

Can trip costs be split evenly and fairly without a dedicated calculator, and if so, how?

Trip costs can be split fairly without a calculator by determining a simple division among all parties, recording all expenses in a shared ledger, and discussing any special considerations. It’s critical that everyone involved agrees on this approach to maintain fairness and transparency.

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Best Apps to Split Group Travel Expenses

Tina is the Director of Marketing and a digital marketing veteran who has led the Atlas Travel Network for over 20 years and built sites that have generated millions of dollars in leads since 1994.

Group trips are fun, but let’s face it, calculating and splitting expenses while traveling is not, and can deter you from traveling together. Group travel requires coordination, but managing expenses shouldn’t cause extra stress. Luckily, there are some easy tips and several apps for splitting expenses while traveling with a group and trip splitter apps.

What is the best app for group travel expenses?

Splitwise App

Splitwise tracks spending among multiple people and allows you to split costs easily. You can create different groups, and Splitwise will calculate what each person owes. What’s great about Splitwise is that it organizes all of your group’s spending in one place and allows members to see the amount they owe and pay using Venmo or PayPal. It even emails receipts to others in your group and can send automatic reminders if there is an outstanding balance. Splitwise is free and available for both iPhone and Android.

Similar to Splid, it allows you to track group expenses and split them among each member of your group with the bonus of the ability to use over 150 different currencies, making it perfect for group traveling. You can also export a PDF or Excel summary of expenses to share with your group. Splid is available for Android and IOS and is free to use for one group. The paid version allows you to use more than one group.

A great app for splitting dining expenses while traveling is Divvy. With Divvy, you use your iPhone’s camera to take a picture of a receipt, then drag and drop each line item to the person it belongs to. Divvy calculates each person’s share plus tax and the tip amount of your choice. Divvy is 99 cents to download and is currently only available for iPhone.

SettleUp App

Another great app for splitting expenses while traveling is SettleUp. You can split payments evenly or divide amounts up any way you would like and then share it with members of your group using email, WhatsApp, or other messaging apps. SettleUp can also calculate the local currency exchange rate, making it ideal for international travel. There is a free version of SettleUp available for both iPhone and Android, as well as a paid version that lets you store snapshots of receipts.

Billr Me App

Billr Me is another app aimed at splitting expenses when dining out. It is well-designed and allows you to split up a bill with as many as 16 people. Billr Me calculates tax and tip for you, and you can send a copy of the bill to group members via text or email. Billr Me is currently available for iPhones for 99 cents.

TravelSpend   App

With TravelSpend, you can easily log each expense as you go and view totals for the whole group or per person. The automatic split cost feature handles the tricky math of dividing everything evenly, so you don’t have to. TravelSpend is free and available for both iPhone and Android.

Page Contents

What is the app that calculates trip cost for friends?

The App that calculates trip costs for friends are many of the same listed above. Splitwise to amongst the most popular from the people we asked.

Here are some tips for how to approach setting a group budget while traveling, as well as some of the best apps to split expenses on your trip.

Agree to a plan before you travel .

Many shared expenses can arise during a group trip, such as hotel rooms or Airbnbs, dining out, transportation & group activities. To avoid awkward confrontations or unpaid tabs, your group should agree on how you plan to split expenses before your trip. You can split everything equally so everyone pays the same amount or figure out a more itemized way to split expenses. Make sure everyone in the group is on the same page before you even leave for your trip, and if possible, go with a group of people with similar spending habits. 

Set Up Accounts Ahead of Time

Several services, such as Uber and Lyft, let you invite people from your contact list, and the bill will automatically be split between those in the group. DoorDash has a similar feature where everyone can order from one restaurant and pay individually for the group order.

Choose The Right Type of Trip for Your Group

Traveling in a group is a lot of fun, but keep in mind there are a lot of different interests, personalities and even tastes in foods. If it’s your first time traveling together or you don’t know everyone well, consider taking a trip that allows for a balance of time together but plenty to do on your own. You can also take the stress out of money issues by choosing vacations where things are paid for before leaving. On a cruise, for example, you can also pre-pay things like a beverage or dining package and gratuities, so you have little to no expenses while on your trip since meals, entertainment, and onboard activities are included in the price. If you book an all-inclusive resort, including airfare, again, you would have no expenses to worry about splitting once you arrive at the resort since it is all meals, drinks, and non-motorized water sports are all included. 

For cruises & group vacations , we recommend you go through a travel agent. You don’t pay extra for using a travel professional; on the contrary, you often get savings and additional perks not available to consumers who book directly. Also, unlike many online booking engines where only 1 form of payment is accepted, we set up a free custom website for your group , where each traveler logs in and manages their own reservations & makes online payments. No worries, no stress.

Suggest Everyone Bring Some Cash Along

If you plan to shop for local goods or try food from a street vendor, credit cards are often not accepted, so it’s always good to have a few bucks on hand.

You may also find the following blogs related to group travel helpful.  Places in the U.S. that are perfect for group travel ,  Planning a large group cruise , and  how to plan a family reunion cruise .

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4 Smart Ways to Split Bills With Friends While Traveling Abroad

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For their vacation to Italy last year, Angela Feher and a friend from London had to figure out a workable way to share costs.

"We looked into PayPal, and it would’ve cost us a fee. And Venmo didn’t work," says Feher, communications manager at TripIt, a travel-planning app based in San Francisco.

Despite the rise of peer-to-peer apps to send money online free and easily, many options aren’t available or have usage restrictions outside the U.S., including Venmo, Zelle and Square’s Cash App. You’ll need different cost-effective strategies, an app or otherwise, to split meals and other expenses on international trips with one or more friends.

First, have the right cards and cash

Before leaving, consider payment options that won’t charge you for international use, and see if your traveling companions have these, too:

Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Most credit cards charge a fee, usually around 3% of the purchase amount, for transactions made in other countries and placed online from foreign merchants. See if you have or can get a card that keeps foreign purchases fee-free.

Debit cards with no foreign ATM fees. Since most U.S. banks don’t have ATMs abroad, it’s common to be charged a fee to get cash overseas. But some online banks have debit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction or ATM fees, and even reimburse you if an ATM operator does levy a charge.

Foreign currency. Your bank or credit union is likely the cheapest place to get hard currency for your travels, so visit a branch if that’s an option. Airport kiosks and foreign hotels typically don’t offer favorable exchange rates.

On her Italian getaway, Feher mostly paid for meals and activities with a travel credit card that didn’t charge foreign transaction fees; her friend typically used euros she picked up before leaving London.

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Then, choose how to split costs

1. rotate who pays.

Trading off might be easiest. This worked best for Feher. She paid for the duo’s train tickets from Venice to Florence, for example, while her friend paid for a pasta-making class.

This strategy can work for large groups, too. Zarak Khan celebrated his 30th birthday with 13 friends in Barcelona for a week and they rotated who paid for meals, museum tickets and other things. One friend tracked all expenses and found that by week’s end, only one had to pay another $14 to make everything come out even.

With this strategy, "you give up a little bit in accuracy, but you gain a lot in overall happiness," says Khan, behavioral innovation director at Maritz, a company near St. Louis that designs and manages incentive, loyalty and travel programs grounded in behavioral science.

"You feel generous or you feel treated," Khan says. "Everyone wins."

2. Use one app to track, another to pay later

Check out a spending tracker for groups. Instead of keeping receipts or using spreadsheets, free and highly rated apps such as Splitwise and Splid keep IOUs organized by group and person. You can split expenses equally or customize the split, such as a situation where in a group of six one person pays 75% and another pays 25% for the group’s city tour. If you want to feel in control of your travel budget, an app that documents who owes what can be reassuring.

Reimburse back in the U.S. When you return, you can use Venmo, cash or another form of payment to square everyone up. This lets you avoid currency conversion fees.

3. Send money with an international transfer app

You may want a different app to settle with friends who live abroad. Some apps such as Wise (formerly TransferWise) and OFX send money online between currencies without the steep costs banks charge for international wire transfers.

» Learn more about the best ways to send money

4. Use an app’s splitting feature if available

Some apps let multiple people pay. Airbnb and Uber both offer this split feature, which can remove the question of who pays for certain accommodations or rides. While it won’t be an option for all expenses, it’s handy and worth keeping an eye out for.

Whatever way you and your friends cover costs, having a plan can make traveling with a partner or group a lot less stressful.

Kelly Soderlund, travel trends expert at travel site Hipmunk, notes how this can keep everyone happier.

"The last thing you want while traveling is to feel obligated to pick up bills for friends without them appreciating or acknowledging it," she says.

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Home » Google Sheets » 12☝️ Spreadsheet Templates for Splitting Expenses (Excel & Google Sheets)

• Updated: May 22, 2023

12☝️ Spreadsheet Templates for Splitting Expenses (Excel & Google Sheets)

Whether you’re living with roommates, managing a household with your partner, or even just keeping track of shared expenses with friends, managing finances can be a challenging and often frustrating task. The problem arises when you’re trying to split expenses fairly and accurately without getting lost in the sea of numbers and receipts. Miscommunication and disputes can easily ensue, further straining relationships and adding unnecessary stress to your life.

As the agitation around managing shared expenses continues to grow, you might find yourself longing for a solution that simplifies the process and restores harmony to your living situation. Thankfully, there is a way to alleviate this financial burden and clarify your shared expenses.

In this article, we will explore some easy-to-use, customizable templates which have been designed to save you time and effort while ensuring everyone involved is on the same page. With our help, you’ll quickly learn how to easily manage your shared finances so you can focus on what truly matters in your relationships. Say goodbye to the chaos and confusion of shared expenses and embrace a new era of the financial organization today.

1. Excel Spreadsheet for Splitting Expenses

Platform : Excel

Designed by Get Digital Help

This spreadsheet for splitting costs is an excellent tool for keeping track of shared expenses among a group of people. Each expense is listed with the name of the person who incurred it, the expense category, the amount, and the date. The “From” and “To” columns indicate who paid the expense and who the expense is split among. The “Total” column displays the total amount owed by or owed to each person, and the “Pay/Receive” column shows the net amount each person needs to pay or receive. 

This spreadsheet can be very helpful in managing group expenses, ensuring that everyone pays their fair share and avoiding misunderstandings or conflicts. Use this spreadsheet to keep track of expenses and settle up at the end of a trip or event.

Download Excel Template

2. Google Sheets Template for Splitting Expenses

Platform : Google Sheets

Designed by Al Chen 

This expense splitting template can help a group of friends divide expenses incurred during a trip or event. These include hotels, dinners, car rentals, car insurance, gas, conference fees, and various other activities. Each person’s individual contribution towards an expense is recorded as ‘1’ or ‘0’ to indicate whether they participated in the expense or not. The “Who paid” column records the person who initially paid for the expense, and the per-person cost is calculated by dividing the total cost by the number of participants. 

The table also shows the total costs paid by each individual, the total costs owed by each individual, and the difference between what they owe or are owed by others. By using this template, the group can easily keep track of their shared expenses and ensure that everyone contributes fairly to the overall costs of the trip or event.

Open in Google Sheets 

3. Income-based Bill Split Budget Sheet

Designed by Reddit

This Google Sheets spreadsheet for splitting bills based on income is designed to help individuals divide bills and purchases based on their individual incomes. By inputting their respective incomes, the spreadsheet will automatically calculate each share of the monthly bills and purchases. 

The bill section includes categories for rent, electricity, cable/internet, and water, while the purchases section allows for both 50/50 split purchases and split purchases based on income share percentages. Additionally, there is a section for full reimbursement items, in case one roommate needs to spot the other for purchase. Recurring luxury purchases like Netflix or Spotify can also be added in the gray cells for convenience. Overall, this spreadsheet provides an easy and fair way to manage shared expenses based on individual financial situations.

Open in Google Sheets

4. Shared Expense Calculator Template

Designed by Smartsheet

This expense-sharing calculator is a useful tool that helps distribute shared expenses among multiple individuals, ensuring that each person pays their fair share. In this example, five individuals share various household expenses. 

The calculator provides a clear breakdown of the total amount due for each expense, as well as the portion each person is responsible for paying. Furthermore, it displays the total amount paid by each individual and calculates the remaining balance due. This expense-sharing calculator allows everyone to efficiently track their payments and outstanding balances, making it easier to manage shared expenses and maintain financial transparency among all parties involved.

5. Shared Household Expenses Spreadsheet

Designed by Daniel Bennett

This shared household expenses spreadsheet provides an organized and transparent method for tracking and managing expenses among housemates. The top section displays each individual’s total expenses, while the bottom section calculates the amount each person owes to others after their own bills have been subtracted. 

By clearly outlining these figures, this template ensures that everyone is accountable for their portion of shared costs, making it easy to settle debts and maintain a harmonious living environment. To notify others of a new bill, follow the instructions at the top of the spreadsheet to share the update with all relevant parties. Overall, this shared household expenses spreadsheet is a valuable tool for promoting fairness and open communication within your shared living space.

6. Roommate Budgeting Worksheet

Designed by Accredited Debt Relief

This roommate budgeting worksheet serves as a comprehensive template for tracking and splitting various shared expenses among four roommates. It covers rent, utilities, and variable expenses, such as groceries and household products. Each expense is assigned to the roommate who paid, and the spreadsheet indicates the total amount paid and how the cost should be split (either variably or equally) among the roommates. 

This organized approach ensures transparency when managing shared living expenses, making it easier for all roommates to contribute their share and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.

7. Shared Expenses Spreadsheet Template

Designed by Trump Excel

This shared expenses spreadsheet template is designed to help you keep track of split costs among friends, family, or roommates. The template includes columns for the date, description of the expense, the amount spent, and the person who paid.

By filling in the details of each expense, you can easily track and manage shared costs, ensuring that everyone contributes their fair share and that all expenses are accounted for. This template makes it simple to organize and visualize your shared expenses, allowing for smoother communication and financial planning among your group.

8. Roommate Expense Tracker

Designed by Ratehub.ca

This roommate expense tracker template helps roommates manage their shared expenses. It provides a clear overview of various costs, such as food delivery, internet, electricity, groceries, Netflix, and water. 

The template allows roommates to specify who paid for each expense and the total amount, as well as how the cost will be split, either variable or equally. At the bottom of the spreadsheet, it calculates the total amount each person owes and simplifies who owes what to whom, making it easy to settle balances among roommates.

9. Co-parenting Child Expenses Split

Designed by Mike Weaver

This co-parenting shared expenses template is designed to help separated or divorced couples manage and track their shared expenses related to their children. The template consists of two main sections: the Current Balance and the Transaction Log. 

The Current Balance shows the amount each spouse needs to pay to balance out their respective shares, along with their split percentages and the names of their children.  

The Transaction Log lists all the transactions related to the children, including expenses and payments between spouses. Each transaction entry consists of the date, name of the spouse, transaction type, child’s name, category, description, and other relevant details. 

The template also calculates the amount owed by each spouse after each transaction, helping co-parents keep track of their financial responsibilities and maintain a balanced budget for their children’s expenses.

10. Vacation Split Calculator

Designed by Indzara

The vacation split calculator is a convenient and efficient way to keep track of expenses and balances during group vacations. This easy-to-use tool allows you to input expense transactions, categorize them, and allocate the amounts paid by each individual. 

With the Expense tab, you can enter the date, transaction details, amount, category, and payment details for each expense, ensuring you have a comprehensive overview of all vacation spending. 

The Report tab provides a clear summary of net balances and outstanding amounts for each friend, making it simple to settle debts and reimbursements. Say goodbye to the hassle of manual calculations and enjoy your vacation, knowing that your expenses are being accurately tracked and managed.

11. Roommate Shared Expenses Spreadsheet

Designed by Margaret Maloney

This roommate budgeting spreadsheet is designed to help two roommates track and manage their shared expenses. The spreadsheet contains a tab with columns for the transaction date, the person who paid the bill, the recipient of the payment, the purpose of the expense, the total amount paid, and debit or credit entries for both. By regularly updating and maintaining this spreadsheet, roommates can ensure their shared expenses are divided fairly, making it easier for them to manage their money.

12. Hotel Split Calculator

Designed by Spreadsheet Daddy

This hotel split calculator is a simple and convenient solution for calculating the individual costs of a shared hotel stay. It takes into account the total hotel cost and evenly distributes it among the roommates throughout their stay. The template is designed to accommodate up to 10 roommates and offers a clear breakdown of each person’s share on a daily basis, from Sunday to Saturday. 

The subtotals for each roommate provide a transparent overview of their respective costs, making the entire process hassle-free and ensuring a fair distribution. Use the hotel split calculator to ensure everyone contributes their fair share and enjoy a stress-free hotel experience with your friends or colleagues.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this FAQ will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to maximize the potential of split templates in Excel and Google Sheets. Let’s take a look!

How do you split expenses in Excel?

When splitting expenses in Excel, you efficiently allocate costs among individuals or groups by using built-in formulas and features. Start by creating a spreadsheet, listing all expenses in one column with the corresponding amounts in another. Then assign each expense to the relevant individuals by creating a new column for each person, marking their share of each expense with an “X” or a specific percentage. With Excel’s SUMIF and SUMPRODUCT functions, calculate each person’s total share and divide that by the sum of all expenses to obtain the individual’s percentage of the total cost. 

How do you split expenses in Google Sheets?

In Google Sheets, splitting expenses among multiple individuals can be achieved with ease by utilizing various functions and formulas. Start by creating a sheet that lists all participants, expenses, and amounts paid. Then use the SUM function to calculate the total expense and divide it by the number of participants to determine each individual’s share. Next, incorporate the IF and VLOOKUP functions to identify and subtract each person’s contribution, resulting in the remaining balance. 

2024 federal budget's key takeaways: Housing and carbon rebates, students and sin taxes

Budget sees nearly $53b in new spending over the next 5 years.

What's in the new federal budget?

Social sharing.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland today tabled a 400-page-plus budget her government is pitching as a balm for anxious millennials and Generation Z.

The budget proposes $52.9 billion in new spending over five years, including $8.5 billion in new spending for housing. To offset some of that new spending, Ottawa is pitching policy changes to bring in new revenue.

Here are some of the notable funding initiatives and legislative commitments in budget 2024.

Ottawa unloading unused offices to meet housing targets

One of the biggest pillars of the budget is its housing commitments. Before releasing the budget, the government laid out what it's calling Canada's Housing Plan — a pledge to "unlock" nearly 3.9 million homes by 2031.

The government says two million of those would be net new homes and it believes it can contribute to more than half of them. 

It plans to do that by:

• Converting underused federal offices into homes. The budget promises $1.1 billion over ten years to transform 50 per cent of the federal office portfolio into housing.
• Building homes on Canada Post properties. The government says the 1,700-plus Canada Post offices across the country can be used to build new homes while maintaining postal services. The federal government says it's assessing six Canada Post properties in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia for development potential "as a start."
• Rethinking National Defence properties. The government is promising to look at redeveloping properties and buildings on National Defence lands for military and civilian use.
• Building apartments. Ottawa is pledging a $15 billion top-up to the Apartment Construction Loan Program, which says it will build 30,000 new homes across Canada.

Taxing vacant land?

As part of its push on housing, the federal government also says it's looking at vacant land that could be used to build homes.

It's not yet committing to new measures but the budget says the government will consider introducing a new tax on residentially zoned vacant land. 

• Freeland's new federal budget hikes taxes on the rich to cover billions in new spending
• Are you renting with no plans to buy? Here's what the federal budget has for you

The government said it plans to launch consultations on the measure later this year.

Help for students 

There's also something in the budget for students hunting for housing.

The government says it will update the formula used by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program to calculate housing costs when determining financial need, to better reflect the cost of housing in the current climate.

The government estimates this could deliver more aid for rent to approximately 79,000 students each year, at an estimated cost of $154.6 million over five years.

• Updated Federal budget's funding boost for defence spread out over multiple years
• Liberals pledge $9B in new money for Indigenous communities in 2024 budget

The government is also promising to extend increased student grants and interest-free loans, at an estimated total cost of $1.1 billion this year.

Increase in taxes on capital gains

To help cover some of its multi-billion dollar commitments, the government is proposing a tax hike on capital gains — the profit individuals make when assets like stocks and second properties are sold.

The government is proposing an increase in the taxable portion of capital gains, up from the current 50 per cent to two thirds for annual capital gains over $250,000. 

New investment to lead 'housing revolution in Canada,' Freeland says

Freeland said the change would impact the wealthiest 0.1 per cent.

There's still some protection for small businesses. There's been a lifetime capital gains exemption which allows Canadians to exempt up to $1,016,836 in capital gains tax-free on the sale of small business shares and farming and fishing property. This June the tax-free limit will be increased to $1.25 million and will continue to be indexed to inflation thereafter, according to the budget.

The federal government estimates this could bring in more than $19 billion over five years, although some analysts are not convinced.

Disability benefit amounts to $200 per month 

Parliament last year passed the Canada Disability Benefit Act, which promised to send a direct benefit to low-income, working-age people with disabilities. 

Budget 2024 proposes funding of $6.1 billion over six years, beginning this fiscal year, and $1.4 billion per year ongoing, for a new Canada Disability Benefit.

Advocates had been hoping for something along the lines of $1,000 per month per person . They'll be disappointed.

According to the budget document, the maximum benefit will amount to $2,400 per year for low income individuals with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 — about $200 a month.

• Federal government plans to lease public lands for construction through new housing strategy
• Alberta premier says she's prepared to take Ottawa to court over housing deals

The government said it plans for the Canada Disability Benefit Act to come into force in June 2024 and for payments to start in July 2025.

Carbon rebate for small businesses coming 

The federal government has heard an earful from small business advocates who accuse it of reneging on a promise to return a portion of carbon pricing revenues to small businesses to mitigate the tax's economic costs.

• What's behind the carbon tax, and does it work?
• Federal government scales back carbon tax rebates for small businesses

The budget proposes to return fuel charge proceeds from 2019-20 through 2023-24 to an estimated 600,000 businesses with 499 or fewer employees through a new refundable tax credit.

The government said this would deliver $2.5 billion directly to Canada's small- and medium-sized businesses.

Darts and vape pods will cost more 

Pitching it as a measure to cut the number of people smoking and vaping, the Liberals are promising to raise revenues on tobacco and smoking products.

• Just Asking  wants to know:   What questions do you have about quitting smoking or vaping? Do you think sin taxes will encourage smoking cessation?  Fill out the details on  this form  and send us your questions ahead of our show on April 20.

Starting Wednesday, the total tobacco excise duty will be $5.49 per carton. The government estimates this could increase federal revenue by $1.36 billion over five years starting in 2024-25.

The budget also proposes to increase the vaping excise duty rates by 12 per cent effective July 1. That means an increase of 12 to 24 cents per pod, depending on where you live. 

• 'Stay the hell away from our kids': Health minister vows to restrict nicotine pouches — but how?

Ottawa hopes this increase in sin taxes will bring in $310 million over five years, starting in 2024-25.

More money for CBC 

Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge has mused about redefining the role of the public broadcaster before the next federal election . But before that happens, CBC/Radio-Canada is getting a top-up this year. 

The budget promises $42 million more in 2024-25 for CBC/Radio-Canada for "news and entertainment programming." CBC/Radio-Canada received about $1.3 billion in total federal funding last year.

The government says it's doing this to ensure that Canadians across the country, including rural, remote, Indigenous and minority language communities, have access to independent journalism and entertainment.

Last year, the CBC announced a financial shortfall, cut 141 employees and eliminated 205 vacant positions. In a statement issued Tuesday, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar said the new funding means the corporation can balance its budget "without significant additional reductions this year."

Boost for Canada's spy agency 

As the government takes heat over how it has handled the threat of foreign election interference, it's promising more money to bolster its spy service.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is in line to receive $655.7 million over eight years, starting this fiscal year, to enhance its intelligence capabilities and its presence in Toronto.

• CSIS chief defends his spies' work after PM casts doubt on reliability of agency's reports
• Trudeau says it's his job to question CSIS intelligence, call out 'contradictions'

The budget also promises to guarantee up to $5 billion in loans for Indigenous communities to participate in natural resource development and energy projects in their territories.

These loans would be provided by financial institutions or other lenders and guaranteed by the federal government, meaning Indigenous borrowers who opt in could benefit from lower interest rates, the budget says. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at [email protected]

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