During an overseas trip, it’s apparent that we sit at our desk’s months prior; planning out the flights, accommodation and daily meals, but when it comes to the test, a dominant journey involves many more expenses than we realise. These unexpected travel expenses add up swiftly and wreck your travel budget if you’re not ready.
We usually spot the valuable things in our budgets and simply overlook the smaller and least important stuff. Keep the following in mind the next time you plan or save for an adventure abroad. It might just mean you won’t be stranded, ill or lack of travel insurance.
Here are a few general unexpected travel expenses and means of avoiding them.
Travel Insurance
Of course, travel insurance is not in your priority list, but it’s more than worth the amount you’ll spend for it. Loss or damages of belongings or accidents can occur at any time of our lives. You will end up requiring a hundred more dollars in the most unexpected moment. Take note on what travel insurance covers, specifically if you are planning on hikes or mountain biking. No surprise this will be topping your list of unexpected travel expenses.
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Day to day essentials
Going on a trip doesn’t mean that you don’t brush your teeth or wash yourself up. You might also need to renew your sunscreen or body wash if you are going on a long-haul holiday. Who wouldn’t get an urge to try out street food, snacks or a pint of alcohol in a local pub? “This souvenir looks so interesting, and I’ll be needing this in future,” eventually you’ll end up buying that isn’t it? What about the fancy items like wrist bands, chains, or even street ornaments? Things like these will exceed your budget, and having a pre-plan will always have your back.
Visas
In booking your tour, research the country you are touring and review their visa specifications and time frame. The last thing you want is to handle a vital time crisis and possible cancellation of your tour because you did not settle your visa in time. What would happen if you get the urge to travel between borders? or even a multi-centre holiday? You will need a visa and some visas you’ll need to buy in advance to avoid paying extra at the airport.
Tips
Some restaurants add automated tips to your bill, and some restaurants highly expect tips. Even though your meal didn’t cost you much, you still have to leave a tip of at least 10 to 15%. But that’s not it, housekeepers, taxi drivers, tour escorts, and literally anyone who keeps you accommodated during your tour will be expecting a tip. Jot down these on your unexpected travel expenses record if you are especially engaging on a trip to the middle east or South Africa.
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Transport
How exactly are you travelling from the airport to your hotel? Public transport? or if nothing goes on your way, an uber or a taxi. This price will depend from country to country and region to region. It can be a strike, a peak day, late nights, unexpected natural hazards, or even public transport might not yet exist to the place you want to go. To reduce this risk of spending undesired money on transport including uber service, learn the rates before you go, and use a metro or a train if it’s possible. Research the most reliable way to so, and enter that in your budget.
These unexpected travel expenses will surely stick in your mind when you plan your next holiday with Travel Center. Travel reliably and stay safe, in the long run, it’s all about travel.
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