Want to save money? 12 mistakes you must avoid while traveling

▲How to save money while traveling? (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

By Rita

Want to travel abroad but don’t have much of a budget? Any good solutions? Besides working harder to earn and save more, avoiding some common travel misconceptions can also be a great strategy. According to travel website nomadicmatt,here are 12 common mistakes people make while traveling,watch out for these, and you can save quite a bit of money indeed.

1. Don’t eat near major attractions
Usually, restaurants near popular attractions charge at least double the price, and the food is only half as good. It’s better to walk five blocks away from the tourist hotspots to local eateries where the food is tastier and more affordable. You can use websites like Yelp, Foursquare, or OpenRice to find places that locals enjoy.

2. Don’t exchange currency at the airport
Because you’ll get a terrible exchange rate—pretty much the same as burning your money with a lighter. If you must exchange, try to do it at a bank, and for purchases, use e-wallets as much as possible.

3. Don’t use traveler’s checks
Before ATMs and credit cards became widespread, traveler’s checks were a safe option, but nowadays almost no one uses them. Not to mention, if you lose them or they’re stolen, banks generally don’t handle them well.

4. Don’t pay credit card fees charged by your bank
Apply for credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. These fees shouldn’t go to the bank—they should be saved for your trip.

5. Don’t rely solely on domestic search engines for information
Each search engine has its blind spots. For budget airlines, try Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo.

6. Don’t skip travel insurance
Travel is unpredictable—you never know what might happen. You could break your leg or lose your camera, etc. One person wanted to save money and ended up breaking their foot in South Africa, with medical bills reaching millions. Travel insurance can protect you from incurring huge extra costs.

7. Don’t rule out hostels
Many people think hostels are dirty and old, but modern hostels can be cleaner than many hotels and are suitable for all age groups. Staying in hostels isn’t just about saving money—it also helps you immerse yourself in the local culture and meet other like-minded travelers.

8. Try couchsurfing
It doesn’t always mean sleeping on a couch—it depends on your host—but overall, it’s a great way to experience cross-cultural interaction.

9. Don’t take taxis
Consider ridesharing, or if you arrive late at night, otherwise, try to avoid taxis as much as possible.

10. Don’t sacrifice the big picture for small savings
Many people think saving money is the top priority, preferring to walk a bit longer rather than spend cash. That’s not wrong, but you need to weigh things based on different situations: refusing public transport to save money and ending up exhausted upon arrival—is that really saving?

11. Don’t book too early
Flights can usually be booked three or four months in advance. As for cruises, book at the last minute—unexpectedly low prices often pop up then.

12. Don’t skip the local tourist center
There are always detailed maps and discount cards available, and they can even help you book accommodations.

Avoiding the above mistakes can save you a lot of money — wishing you a better trip next time!

★The images are copyrighted photos provided exclusively to ETtoday (ETtoday) by Dazhi Images.No website, newspaper, or TV station may reproduce them in whole or in part without permission from Dazhi Images.