Are your travel plans unintentionally costing you more than you budgeted for? In the first quarter of 2024 alone, Americans spent nearly $20.7 billion on international trips. Imagine a chunk of that going toward totally avoidable expenses. Sadly, it happens.
Look, we get it. Between flight bookings, hotel reservations, and trying to pack the right stuff, it’s natural to overlook the small things that end up costing big money. The worst part? These sneaky expenses keep popping up right when you’d rather be spending that cash on experiences worth remembering.
This isn’t another generic “save money while traveling” guide. Instead, we’re cutting straight to the chase with real fixes for the most expensive mistakes travelers make abroad.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly how to keep more money in your pocket for the things that actually matter on your trip.
Mistake #1: Falling into Airport Currency Exchange Traps
You’ve just landed, you’re tired, and you need local cash fast. Those bright airport exchange kiosks seem like a convenient solution, right? Well, turns out airport kiosks and currency exchange shops are some of the worst places to exchange currency.
According to Forbes, airport currency exchanges can go as high as 14% or more than the actual exchange rate issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Plus, they usually sneak in extra “service fees” that they bury in the fine print.
Here are the better ways to get local currency:
- Get cash from local ATMs using a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card – you’ll snag rates that are typically better than airport kiosks.
- Order currency from your home bank before your trip – most offer competitive rates and free delivery to your local branch.
- Use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees for big purchases, limiting how much cash you actually need.
- If you absolutely must exchange at the airport, at least check the rates on your phone first – sometimes exchange shops in the arrival city’s downtown area offer excellent deals.
- Many international banks partner with local banks abroad, meaning you can use their ATMs without extra fees – check your bank’s partner network before you fly.
Mistake #2: Paying Too Much for Phone Service Abroad
Now, let’s talk about something that can turn your dream vacation into a financial nightmare – data roaming charges. While rates vary by carrier, most will have you paying premium rates due to additional roaming fees on foreign mobile networks.
Roaming charges accumulate with every connection, whether you’re actively using your phone or apps running in the background.
Here are your options to avoid losing money on roaming charges:
- Disable data roaming and use only WiFi networks, though this limits your access to essential travel apps and real-time navigation.
- Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, but this means temporarily losing access to your home number.
- Set up an eSIM before departure, which maintains your regular number while adding local data coverage.
eSIMs are steadily becoming a go-to choice for savvy travelers. That’s because, unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs let you keep your regular number working for texts and calls while using local data rates.
Plus, eSIMs are not only convenient but also highly secure. As Terminal eSIM points out, they can’t be removed if your device is lost or stolen, adding an extra layer of security to your travels.
It’s high time you stop paying thousands on international roaming. Stay connected on your travels—get a worldwide eSIM plan now! Click here!
Mistake #3: Last-Minute Transport Bookings
It’s no secret that travelers who book their flight at the last minute of their journey end up paying a lot more than those who plan ahead.
Demand drives up air ticket prices as you move closer to the journey date, especially in peak travel seasons. Why pay extra when you can save up to 10% on average by booking your flight 60 days ahead?
The same trend holds for buses, trains, and other forms of transportation as well. And for the very same reasons. Last-minute bookings come with fewer options and higher demand, especially in peak seasons in popular travel destinations.
Here are a few tried-and-tested hacks to avoid overspending on transportation:
- Aim to secure tickets 2-3 months ahead for the best deals on all types of transport.
- Don’t just rely on taxis or ride-sharing apps. Look for buses or regional train services that are often cheaper.
- Apps like Skyscanner or Google Flights can help you monitor prices and notify you of price drops for flights or train routes.
- For longer trips, rail passes (e.g., Eurail or BritRail) often offer discounted travel for tourists when booked in advance.
Mistake #4: Overlooking Price Differences in Tourist Areas
This one is a classic! Many travel hotspots use a dual pricing system—where tourists are charged higher rates than locals for food, attractions, and even certain products.
This practice is especially prevalent in tourist-heavy areas where businesses know that visitors may be less aware of standard local prices. Tourists who come from countries with high purchasing power parity, such as the USA, are usually the biggest victims here.
The dual pricing approach can lead you to pay substantially more for the same experience simply because you’re in a high-foot-traffic area.
To avoid the tourist markup:
- Ask for local recommendations as they are the best people to guide you to hidden spots where prices aren’t inflated for tourists.
- Explore outside the tourist zones. Venturing even a few blocks away from popular attractions often reveals better deals and more authentic experiences.
- In certain locations, restaurants omit prices on tourist menus to add a markup on the bill. Look for transparent pricing.
- Check online reviews of the places to plan to visit. Platforms like Yelp or Google Maps often show both local and tourist reviews, which can help reveal honest pricing.
Explore the World Without Overspending!
When you’re not worried about losing money, you can focus on the fun part of the journey. You did not travel all the way to a different part of the world, only to lose money on some tourist trap.
We all travel to create precious moments that stay with us forever. By implementing these strategies before your next trip, you’ll spend less time managing expenses and more time exploring. As you should.
