You’ve heard so many different pieces of travel advice that you don’t know which ones to listen to anymore! The good news is that today we’re going to debunk some of them AND help keep you within your budget.
This article will discuss four common pieces of travel advice that are meant to help you save money, but they do the complete opposite.
No Need to Update Your Phone Data
Many of us are guilty of this, for some reason or another. We don’t seem to think it’s necessary to buy holiday data when traveling in a foreign country or to get a new SIM, for that matter. Instead, we blissfully carry on believing that we will only need to use our phones in WiFi spots, never get lost, and will not need to contact anyone.
The fact is that we’re entirely wrong. No matter how much you’ve prepared, something unexpected is bound to happen, and it’s always helpful to have a working phone in case issues arise.
Turning on data roaming in these situations racks up a huge phone bill; even if you think you haven’t used it for long, you’ll still get a shock when your next phone bill comes through.
Even if it’s a hassle, when traveling on a budget, updating your data or changing your sim will save you a lot of money compared to using data roaming.
Take the Overnight Bus
In theory, this sounds like a great idea, and this is a common travel tip. You save on a night of accommodation, sleep, and rest on the bus, and then you’re good to go the following morning to your new location. But really, this doesn’t work for everyone.
Some people are great at falling asleep wherever they want to and have no issues sleeping on a bus. Others, not so much. The truth is that overnight buses are often uncomfortable, with not ideal temperatures and way too many people.
Most of the time, you’ll find yourself reaching your destination and feeling tired. In turn, this can lead to spending more money, as all you want to do is rest. For example, spending hours in coffee shops buying more than you need to stay, paying extra for early check-in, or even switching accommodations entirely to somewhere that checks in earlier, are all ways you could spend more money.
Avoid Cheap and ‘Shady’ Accommodations
There is an ever-growing stereotype that cheap accommodation is not safe. It must be in a bad neighborhood or attract the wrong crowd. But, many hostels, or even some hotels, keep their prices low to make themselves affordable to all travelers. It’s unfair to presume otherwise.
If you’re unsure, look up past guests’ reviews or research the area. Budget accommodation is a real thing, and a catch doesn’t need to be involved. These are often some of the best places to meet other like-minded travelers like yourself – read here for more information.
Don’t Bother Buying Travel Insurance
Another big offender is not buying travel insurance. Again, we just often presume that it’s not necessary. You never get sick, so you won’t need to go to the hospital; you’ve double-checked your travel arrangements, so you’re sure there will be no problems. Regardless of how careful we are, problems happen.
Remember that you’re in a new environment and trying new things. So, even if you don’t usually get sick or injured, you’re being exposed to new diseases and doing activities that your body isn’t used to doing. And even if it’s not your fault, flights can get canceled. Furthermore, room bookings can get mixed up, and luggage can get lost.
Travel insurance is pretty cheap and tends to cover a lot of expenses. Even if it’s unlikely, getting into trouble abroad without insurance will put a hefty dent in your bank balance. It’s always best to be on the safe side with this one.
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Photo by [cottonbro]
