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✈️ How to split an overseas trip

Split an overseas trip by picking one currency for the ledger and converting as you add each line at the rate your card actually charged. Mixing currencies across lines is where trip ledgers fall apart. Accommodation and transport usually go on whoever booked; meals rotate; settle once at the end in your home currency.

Updated 2026-08-23. Example figures are in Australian dollars and made up.

Example: Two weeks in Japan$3,737.00 in
LineAmount
Tokyo apartment, five nightsKenji paid, split everyone, paid in AUD
$1,284.00
Rail passes, threeAmara paid, split everyone
$990.00
Kyoto ryokan, two nightsLou paid, split everyone
$960.00
Izakaya night, OsakaKenji paid, split everyone, card rate
$189.00
Onsen day, HakoneAmara paid, split Amara and Lou
$216.00
Pocket wifiLou paid, split everyone
$98.00
Settle up in 2 paymentsAmount
Lou pays Kenji
$223.66
Amara pays Kenji
$75.67
PersonPosition
Kenjiis owed $299.33
Amaraowes $75.67
Louowes $223.66

3 people, 6 lines, 2 transfers to square up. Names and amounts are made up for the example.

What goes wrong

Three currencies on one ledger

Pick one currency for the ledger, enter every line in that currency at the rate your bank charged. Zeroed keeps one currency per ledger on purpose.

Card surcharges and ATM fees

They are real costs of the line. Add them to the amount rather than leaving the payer to eat them.

Someone leaves the trip early

Exclude them from the later accommodation lines. Settle them out before they fly.

Run it in Zeroed

  1. Start a ledger, name it, add the people. Ten seconds, no accounts.
  2. Send the link to the group chat. Everyone taps their name.
  3. Add lines as they happen. Untick anyone a line is not for.
  4. At the end, the settle-up plan shows the fewest transfers. Tap one to send the reminder.

Start a ledgerJust split one bill

Questions

Which currency should a group trip ledger use?

The one you will settle in, usually your home currency. Enter each foreign expense at the rate your card actually charged, including fees.

How do you split accommodation booked months ahead?

Add it the day it was booked, split by nights if people stay different lengths. The booker gets paid back early instead of carrying it.

Should everyone settle before flying home?

Yes, at the airport if you can. Once people are home, the trip stops feeling shared and balances go stale.

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