Summer is nearly here, making it a great time to plan road trips, beach escapes or international adventures. Travel should be about relaxing, not dealing with unexpected costs, but international trips often come with hidden fees, like ATM charges, foreign transaction costs and currency conversion markups that can quietly drain a budget.
Since travel is already expensive, having a simple plan can help avoid the most common money traps. With a little preparation, it becomes easier to keep more cash for the fun parts of the trip.
ATM withdrawals abroad often include multiple charges. Banks may take $2 to $5 per transaction and add a currency conversion fee of around 3%, and the ATM operator might include its own surcharge. Over time, these charges can add up quickly.
A debit card that refunds ATM fees and skips foreign transaction charges can help. Withdrawing larger amounts less often also reduces repeated fees.
Airport exchange counters are convenient but expensive. These booths often add high commissions and offer poor exchange rates that inflate conversion costs by 10% or more.
Better rates can usually be found by using an ATM after leaving the airport or by paying with a card that waives foreign transaction fees.
Merchants abroad sometimes offer to process card payments in the cardholder's home currency instead of the local one. This practice, known as dynamic currency conversion, usually comes with inflated exchange rates and hidden fees.
Paying in local currency keeps the rate closer to what the bank would charge.
Booking transportation from the airport through a hotel or tourist kiosk can cost significantly more than arranging a ride independently. For example, hotel-arranged car services or private shuttles frequently charge two to three times more than local taxis or rideshares.
When traveling, it may be tempting to grab a bite near a famous landmark, but restaurants in tourist-heavy areas often come with inflated prices, blander food and sneaky charges, such as service fees or extra costs for bread and tap water.
For a better and more authentic meal, take a short stroll away from the crowds or check a few local reviews.
Some hotels add daily resort fees that aren't included in the base room rate. These charges, often $20 to $50 per night, cover amenities like Wi-Fi, gym access or pool use, whether or not they are used.
Reading the full cost breakdown before booking can prevent sticker shock at checkout.
When traveling internationally, it's easy to rely on your phone as a lifeline, but international roaming can quickly lead to hundreds of dollars in charges, especially for data-heavy activities like streaming or map navigation.
While some plans offer affordable daily rates or free service in nearby countries, others may slow your connection or charge high rates without warning.
Souvenir shops near major tourist attractions often charge significantly more for items that may look authentic but are mass-produced. Trinkets labeled "handmade" are frequently factory-made and sold at two to three times the price found elsewhere.
In tourist-heavy areas, taxis without meters may quote high fares or add hidden costs after the ride. Without a meter, it's hard to confirm the actual price.
It's safer to agree on a fare upfront or use metered taxis or licensed rideshare apps that show the cost in advance.