5 things that Tourists Most Often Lose Money on

During my travels, I realized one unpleasant thing: you usually notice large expenses right away, but small overpayments gradually turn into a decent amount. And sometimes it's not about fraud, but just carelessness.

1. Taxi from the airport

The airport is one of the most convenient places to overpay for a trip. After a few hours on the plane, you just want to get to the hotel, so you don't really want to figure out local transport anymore.

Now I check the cost of the trip in advance and see which taxi services are operating in the city. If I use a regular taxi, I specify the price or payment rules before the trip.

The difference is sometimes quite noticeable.

2. Currency exchange

I also got caught with exchangers once. There was a beautiful exchange rate on the sign, which looked profitable, but after the exchange it turned out that the commission and additional conditions significantly changed the total amount.

Now I'm looking not only at the number in large letters, but also at how much money I'll actually get my hands on.

I also try not to change a large amount in the first place near the airport.

3. Tourist restaurants

A beautiful restaurant right next to the main attraction seems like a great idea until the bill arrives.

Sometimes the price of a dish is higher than in an establishment a few blocks from the tourist center. It is especially unpleasant when fees, service interest or expensive drinks are added to the cost, which no one discussed separately.

Now, before I sit down, I at least take a quick look at the menu and prices. It takes a minute, but sometimes it saves a decent amount.

4. Guided tours and additional services

The very low price of an excursion often looks tempting. But then it turns out that the transfer is included in the price, and entrance fees, lunch, boat or other services are paid separately.

As a result, the "cheap tour" becomes not cheap at all.

Now I always look not only at the initial price, but also at what exactly is included in it.

5. Shopping "for memory"

I've been caught here many times myself.

At the beginning of the trip, it seems that you definitely need to buy a souvenir, a T-shirt, a magnet, local sweets and a few more things that will remind you of the trip at home.

And then you open your suitcase and realize that half of these purchases were made just for the mood.

Now I try not to buy anything right away. If you really like the item, I can come back for it later.

The main thing is that I understood

The biggest overpayments are often not due to one expensive purchase. They consist of dozens of little things: I overpaid a little for a taxi, a little for currency exchange, a little for dinner, a little for souvenirs.

Individually, it seems that this is nonsense.

And when you start counting expenses at the end of the trip, you get a completely different picture.

Therefore, now, before any unfamiliar purchase, I try to spend one minute checking the price. On a journey, this minute is sometimes much cheaper than a mistake.