Taking off on an adventure is always a thrilling experience. It provides a break away from the burden of work and offers an opportunity to discover new destinations and experience new adventures.

However, sometimes the best travel plans don’t always pan out because unexpected travel expenses may throw off your budget and adversely impact your trip.

These unexpected travel expenses range from several things: from last-minute purchases to hotel reservations and emergencies. Our advice? Remember to budget for them! 

Remember to Budget for These Unexpected Travel Expenses

Baggage Fees

Having the right baggage is essential for every trip. You need to carry all the necessary items for your journey, but be careful as you stuff non essentials in; baggage fees are likely to become the first unexpected expense on your trip.

Airlines charge baggage fees for bags, boxes, and suitcases that exceed a specified weight and size. In most cases, travellers are unaware of baggage fees because they are assumed to be included in the travel costs.

If you’re flying on more than one airline baggage fees can become even more complicated, since each airline has its own size and weight requirements, so this is something to check if you have connecting flights.

To avoid paying costly and unexpected charges because of heavy baggage, know the things not to pack to ensure the airlines’ weight requirements. Also, verify that your flight ticket covers baggage as well.

Unexpected Weather Changes

We all love the idea of spending vacation in tropical regions due to the lush vegetation and constant sunlight, which keeps the temperature warm. But while relatively hot weather conditions characterise tropical areas, they owe their vegetation to extended periods of rain.

Many travellers fail to research the weather conditions in these locations before booking their trips. While visiting during the rainy season may be cheap, you’re sure to incur extra expenses for not packing the right items, like an umbrella, shoes suitable for wet regions, and a rain jacket.

Failing to pack these items means you will have to purchase them at a local store.

Currency Exchange Fees

Many people fail to consider the need for foreign currency until they travel. But most airports offer poor exchange rates and hefty fees for changing money.

Even if you use your day-to-day card to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, the fees can be significant. Although all foreign exchanges charge some commission, several companies offer lower rates.

It’s a good idea to do online research to find the best places near your vacation location to exchange money. Alternatively, you can look for debit cards that allow foreign withdrawals without incurring fees. 

Using comparison sites can save a lot of money in just a short space of time. Besides travel, you can apply this to everything, including insurance and comparing the best online live dealer casinos, to ensure you’re reading honest reviews.

Credit Card Fees

Credit cards come in handy when you need to pay for groceries, travel expenses, and insurance. However, using credit cards during a vacation abroad comes with many fees, from foreign transaction fees to poor exchange rates and currency fluctuations.

Applying for a credit or debit card that lets you spend money abroad free of charge might be worth your while if you are a frequent traveller. Alternatively, you can purchase a prepaid card through foreign exchange.

With these cards, you can withdraw cash from ATMs and get better exchange rates. Also, it is advisable to inform your credit card company of your travel, to avoid being blocked for suspicious activity.

Emergencies

During a vacation, emergencies are the last thing people think about; and this is one of the mistakes first-time travellers make.

Many fail to account for emergencies when preparing for a trip. No one prays for emergencies, though they likely arise from trying new food, bruising your knee during a bike ride, or a car accident.

Besides packing a first aid kit in your luggage, remember to purchase travel insurance and have a credit card available.