Seven Unnecessary Travel Expenses That You Can Make Things Of The Past
Traveling might be an excellent way to get away from life for a while, yet it doesn’t mean all the things that can you pain at home disappear. One feature of travel that’s synonymous with life in general is overspending. Unfortunately, unnecessary travel expenses such as paying too much for a meal or forking out for a tank of gas on a trip of a lifetime is more hazardous than usual. The reason for this is your lack of earning power. Spending months traveling the world means you need to quit your job (usually).
With fees popping up out of nowhere, it’s tough to cut back to ensure you have enough resources to last the length of your trip. Where do you start, and what bad habits do you target? The good news and the bad news is that there are plenty of places to begin; the choice is a gift and a curse. Thankfully, by better understanding the everyday expenses that are unnecessary, you can save yourself a fortune on your next adventure. And, let’s face it – you will be exploring a new city sometime soon!
Here are the seven travel expenses that you can make things of the past. All you have to do is check out the hacks underneath.
Unnecessary Travel Expenses : Departure Fees
For the most part, travelers don’t spot departure fees because they’re included in the cost of a ticket. So, unless you ask for a breakdown of your seat on an airline, the odds are you’re blissfully unaware. And, it’s not an issue as there is no way to get around the charge anyway. Departure fees become problematic when countries add them on as separate expenses. Suddenly, you’re at the airport and don’t have any cash, which isn’t recommended!
The good news is that you can bypass departure fees if you’re traveling long-term and are flexible. Please keep in mind that while individual countries ask for the money when you exit, it might not apply to every border crossing. Lots of land crossings and airports incur fees, yet boat borders can be exempt. Alternatively, exit costs are added on if you fail to keep hold of your immigration ticket on arrival. Mexico is a prime example; however, you can avoid the $50 tax by flashing your arrival card.
An excellent tip is not to take the piece of paper out of your passport and to stash it in the back cover for safekeeping.
Unnecessary Travel Expenses : Visas
Visa costs are harder to bypass. Depending on which country issues your passport, you might have to pay up to $100 to cross a border. Of course, the best way to avoid this fee is to research the immigration rules before turning up at the border with a Coke and a smile! Every country has travel rules, and you can check them with the help of your government website.
There is another option, but it doesn’t apply to every traveler. If you have dual-citizenship, you might be able to use your second passport as a way to bypass the visa fee. Not every citizen is treated the same as it depends on the relationship between nations. European nationals, for instance, tend to benefit from less strict visa requirements because the EU has “open” borders. As a result, other countries will return the favor. Do you qualify for dual-citizenship? If you do, applying for another passport could help to save you money.
Be careful, though, as some nations don’t allow dual-nationals. Others, however, might expect you to follow their rules regardless of your location. Israeli and Korean nationals must complete national service, for example, so it’s essential to be sure before applying.
Unnecessary Travel Expenses : Card Transactions
Everyone has been there when the ATM has declared there will be a fee for withdrawing money. It doesn’t matter that the funds are yours; the machine has spoken, and it is shameless! As much as it annoys you back home, paying to take out the money in a foreign country is viewed as a necessary expense. It’s almost as if travelers throw their hands in the air and admit defeat. You don’t have to follow suit.
Switching banks sounds as if it’s too much hassle, especially to save a couple of bucks per withdrawal. In reality, it’s not stressful whatsoever. After all, there could be no need to switch. For those whose bank does not waive foreign transaction fees, you can apply for a unique travel card instead. It works like a credit card, except there are zero interest rates as long as you choose correctly. Another fantastic piece of advice is to search for cards that don’t charge for remote transactions either.
Withdrawing money abroad is essential, but so is paying with plastic. The world, even in the most remote locations in the world, is becoming increasingly contactless. Therefore, a card that is free to use is both cheap and hassle-free.
Unnecessary Travel Expenses : Cell Phone Use
Imagine going to the store without your cell phone. Now, picture the same scenario, but you’re thousands of miles away from home in a land you’ve never heard of. If you’re anything like standard millennials, the thought of going off-the-grid will incur a mini panic attack! Of course, phones are essential tools for travelers today. Whether it’s listening to music on long buses or using it as a makeshift sat-nav, modern handsets are adaptable. There is one issue, though – the cost.
At home, you can excuse paying $50 per month for the latest iPhone because you have a steady stream of income. Abroad and unemployed, the charges are inexplicable. So, the first port of call is to speak to your provider and ask if you can cancel the contract. That way, you won’t be tied down during your trip. Next, you should research pay-as-you-go offers. Not only are they flexible – you can cancel at the end of the month – but it is possible to buy an unlimited data sim with free texts and minutes. Even when you’re abroad, you can use your phone as if you are at home and eat into your allowances rather than your bank balance.
Don’t worry if this isn’t feasible as you can sell your handset and contract and pick up a cheap one for traveling. When you land, you need to purchase a local sim and top it up with money regularly.
Travel Insurance
Similar to the majority of policies, you might find that your travel insurance is required. Plus, this probably isn’t the first trip where you’ve thought, “will I need it?” Still, the cost of covering your back in case the worst happens isn’t too high, relatively speaking. Plenty of insurers offer policies that pick up the tab for everything from medical bills to lost or stolen items.
If you’re wondering why travel insurance is on this list, it’s because you might already have it. Yes, banks and credit cards often use policies to sweeten deals. They are perks that are included, meaning you don’t have to splash out every time you leave the country. Unfortunately, too many account holders forget or believe that the coverage isn’t comprehensive enough for the trip. It might not be in special circumstances, yet you will be surprised at what banks and credit card companies cover. For example, ski vacations are included as long as you stay on-piste.
By reviewing the terms and conditions, you can save hundreds of dollars on a duplicate policy. Don’t be scared to call them to run through the details if you’re unsure and require advice.
Unnecessary Travel Expenses : Flight Expenses
Let’s start with packing costs because they are common to the point they’re almost clichéd! A cheap ticket probably won’t include hold luggage, which is fine if you’re going on a short getaway. But, a long-haul adventure will always mean that you’ll need as many of your things as you can fit into a single rucksack. With that in mind, please check the ticket details as it might only include hand luggage. Other airlines could have a better deal, and if they don’t, it’s cheaper to pay online than it is at the airport.
A rarer fee is to pay for onboard entertainment. Long-haul flights almost always came with movies and food, as well as WiFi. Sadly, airlines are cutting back and making customers pay for features for which we’ve all become accustomed. A brilliant way to have your cake and eat it is to take a mobile device and fill it with films and music.
That way, you can pay for a budget seat and be entertained without succumbing to boredom.
Unexpected Payments
The unpredictable nature of traveling means anything can happen at any time. While this is one of the reasons you love exploring new places, it’s also expensive. After all, you could be at a border without any money to pay the exit tax and incur a fine. Luckily, one of the awesome traits of US dollars is that they are universal.
Therefore, withdrawing emergency cash and packing it in your bag should prevent unforeseen fees spiraling out of control.
