10 things you shouldn’t save on when traveling

Sep 3, 2022

Level: General

Reading time: 4 min

The average family spends between $4,500 and $6,500 on their vacations every year – which is quite a significant amount of money. As a result, you might want to try to save as much as you can. However, here are some things that you should not save on, and that are actually worth splurging on.

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Local food

When you are traveling to a different cultural area, the one thing you should not save on is local food. You can save on tourist food that you can find anywhere but try the local cuisine as much as you can. Unless you plan on going there a second time, you may not be able to taste their local cuisine anymore.

Direct flights or rides

Flying economy is often a good way to save money. You take indirect flights that pass you through three different airports, just to save some money. That being said, think about how tired you will be when you reach your destination. By taking a direct (albeit more expensive) direct flight, not only will you save time, but also energy.

Museum tickets

Each major city will have a couple of museums to choose from. Many museums may be free – but if there are particularly interesting ones that call for a fee, you should not be discouraged by them. This experience may not easily come for a second time.

Transportation

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You may be a fan of walking to save money, but on longer distances, you may want to invest in some transportation. You don’t have to grab taxis all the time, but you can still rent a car or grab a subway card. If you walk too much from one destination to the other, you may feel too tired to enjoy the place.

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Unique experiences

Perhaps you drifted into town at the exact moment when a local festival started taking place. If it seems to be your thing, don’t skip it just to “save money.” Instead, go and enjoy it, because this may be a once-in-a-lifetime event (unless you actually plan on it the next time). The same goes for experiences such as kayaking, snorkeling, or other activities you don’t usually come across.

Central accommodation

How many times have you passed an Airbnb in the central area and chosen one at the edge of the town, simply because it was cheaper? If your preferred tourist attractions are in that area, sure, it is a catch – but if you have to constantly take a cab to take you to the central area, the saved money may not be worth it. It’s better to splurge on a well-located lodging spot than to blow your entire budget on transportation.

Travel insurance

Only around 23% of the people will invest in travel insurance, which is not enough. If something happens during your trip, your losses can be unimaginable. This way, by getting insurance, you can at least receive a refund for potential losses.

Specialized tour groups

Some of the destinations you may go to can be unique – and as a tourist, you may not know how to enjoy them correctly. A specialized tour group can give you more in-depth knowledge and can also take you to the right locations.

Worthy keepsakes

There are many souvenir shops in tourist areas where you can buy a lot of keepsakes, but you should not spend money on every little thing you can get your hands on. Ditch the kitschy T-shirts with fancy writing of the city name and go for something you can display for years to come. This can be a vase made by a local artist or something that you can only find in that area.

Appropriate equipment

Now, this is something that you should not save on before you go traveling. Many people say that they don’t need a fancy backpack or a pair of new supportive shoes, because “they can always use the old ones.” The problem is that if the “old ones” do not offer you the support that you need, you will feel miserable the entire trip. When it comes to this type of expense, it is worth the splurge.

The bottom line

The purpose of a vacation is to enjoy your time as much as you can. Watching your budget is fine, but if there’s something worth the investment, you should make the most of it.

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