(The Ascent) Traveling abroad can be exciting, but it requires planning. Before taking an international vacation, it’s a good practice to outline an itinerary and prepare for all of the possible expenses of your upcoming adventure.
If you’re not careful, hidden costs may come up, and these costs can break your budget and make your trip stressful. Watch out for these hidden expenses.
1. Foreign transaction fees
When you travel abroad, you’ll be paying in the local currency. If you’re not using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, your purchases can quickly get expensive. Most cards that charge these fees charge 3% of the purchase price. You can prepare by bringing a no foreign transaction fee credit card to help you stay on your vacation budget.
2. Checked baggage fees
Unless you’re a light packer, it can be pricey to fly with a checked bag. Depending on the route, some airlines charge a fee for each bag you check. It can easily cost $30 or more per bag each way. If your airline ticket doesn’t include a checked bag, using airline credit cards with checked baggage perks can be an easy way to eliminate extra fees.
3. Taxes and fees
When traveling to another country, you should also be aware of the potential that there may be additional taxes and fees to pay when you check in to your accommodation.
For example, many European cities charge a city or tourist tax, usually collected when you arrive at your hotel or home rental, rather than being tacked on to the price you already paid.
Keep this in mind when making reservations so you can budget for these extra charges.
4. Data roaming charges
While it would be nice if your cell phone could work globally without extra fees, that’s not always the case. Many mobile service providers charge fees to use data abroad. If you’re not careful, this expense can get pricey.
Check if your service provider offers a travel-friendly plan before your next international trip, or consider switching to a global data–friendly mobile service provider.
Another option is to buy a local SIM card once you arrive at your destination to continue using your phone affordably.
