Overlooking the Additional Costs of Cheap Flights
Few things feel better than locking in a great flight deal. It boosts your enthusiasm as the budget stretches, leaving more room for experiences that truly matter.
Click with caution when buying tickets. These offers often have additional fees at the end of your transaction, which sometimes even outweigh the cost of the initial options.
Read everything and look for the fine print. Otherwise, you can end up paying extra for your carry-on or just to sit next to your travel companion at check-in time. Where possible, booking well ahead of time is usually the easiest way to save money on flights.
Craig Howes, Founder and Editor, African Safari Mag says that this is especially important for any light-aircrafts or connecting flights you may be taking during your travels (safari or otherwise).
“Bush flights are usually restricted to a single soft bag with a hard weight cap, often 15 to 20kg including hand luggage. People show up with a rigid suitcase and either pay an excess or buy a second seat for their bag. The lesson applies to any trip: check the baggage rules for every leg, not just the long-haul flight that got you there.”
Neglecting the Importance of Travel Insurance
Being responsible is part of ensuring a stress-free travelling experience. There’s a range of options to explore and find the one that best suits your needs.
Comprehensive travel insurance protects your budget and gives you peace of mind so you can fully enjoy your trip.
Tonya Denmark, creator of Detail Oriented Traveller, is an expert in planning more travel and helping busy families get the most out of their vacation.
She says that if you are making extra purchases, like flights and hire cars, check your comprehensive travel insurance policy first, because you may already be covered, meaning you would be paying for insurance twice.
Buying insurance when already abroad can result in higher premiums, so it’s best to make your purchase ahead of time in your home country.
If you are in the U.S, Freely provides a competitive base policy with optional add-ons. In the U.K, Pogo Travel offers features like fast mobile claims. And in Australia, Australia Post’s comprehensive insurance offers unlimited medical coverage and generous rental car excess coverage.
Avoiding Public Transportation
Some people consider themselves tourists; others are travellers. The latter group avoids the most tourist-like attractions and those Instagram-worthy sights. They want to get to know the location as if they were locals.
First: It is totally fine if you want to see the most popular attractions. Millions flock to St. Mark’s Square in Venice for a reason. Or, wait in line for ages to scale the Eiffel Tower for that perfect selfie. No matter your travel style, local transportation options are worth considering. Buses, trains, trams, and local bike (electric or otherwise) rentals are all ways to experience a new city from a different perspective.
Learning how to use a public transportation system in a new city can be daunting, especially if you are only there for a few days. Googling beforehand can set your mind at ease. You should be able to assess whether that city’s public transport is the right match for your budget and time constraints. If you do take public transport, asking locals as you go is an incredibly underrated way of making sure you are staying on track.
Alternatively, you can rent a car or take taxi rides. These options are more expensive and lack some of the local feel that public transportation provides. However, a chatty driver allows for conversations with someone who’s well-versed in the local scene and likely understands what tourists and travellers are looking for, so there are pros and cons to both options.
Most often, it’s a combination of public and private transport that provides the richest and most practical experience.
Not Having an Emergency Fund
People often forget to set aside money for emergencies. Travel rarely goes as planned, and you need to have a backup plan to react accordingly.
Accommodation changes, flight cancellations, and medical emergencies are unpleasant but possible. Having a dedicated fund keeps your basic travel budget intact. It also helps you remain calm and feel safe even in unknown environments.
Under or Overpacking
Luggage size can be a burden on your travel budget if you don’t plan it properly.
Plan outfits for each day, by building a capsule wardrobe. A few basic items can form the basis for building your outfits around. If you’re someone who needs variety, accessories can add variation or allow you to dress to your mood, without taking up precious luggage space and weight.
If you’re a mid-range or luxury traveller, avoid carrying things you’ll have in a hotel, like towels, a robe, or a hairdryer. If you’re a backpacker, consider the bare essentials you’ll need to feel good. If a hair straightener is a non-negotiable, then you can still make it work- but you might need to make some compromises.
Make sure your carry-on bag meets the current size and item restrictions and any liquids are below 100ml. Personally, I try and pack all of my toiletries in checked luggage to avoid having to leave behind any perfume or other toiletries at security.
Think about the weather, too. Shopping is fun, but you don’t want to find yourself needing a whole new wardrobe to match the climate.
Incomplete Travel Documentation
Always consult with official sources when in doubt. Certain countries, such as the UK and the EU, now require personal registration and visa payment before travel from certain countries.
Otherwise, you risk losing money on accommodation and flight cancellations that are non-refundable. And that isn’t even taking into account the psychological and emotional toll such situations carry.
To sum up: research, trust reliable sources, and plan. Travelling comes with expenses, but mistakes can make it far more costly. Still, there’s a saying that always rings true: “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
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