10 Ways You’re Probably Paying Too Much to Travel

Sure, it might be more convenient to pack up and go on a Saturday or Sunday, but the cost of convenience might be more than you realize. From a mini getaway to long trip, you can cut costs in a big way by booking your flight out for mid-week.

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You pack the plastic because it’s one of the most convenient – and safe – ways to keep money on hand while away, but beware of any fees or foreign transaction charges that your credit card company might apply once you cross the border. If you travel often, it pays to do some research into companies that offer discounted rates for credit card use while abroad – some even offer perks that can benefit you at the airport and give you breaks on travel insurance.

Read our list of 14 ways to get the best travel deals.

It only makes sense to keep some cash on hand when travelling – you never know when you’ll need some local currency for cabs, tipping, places that may not accept plastic, etc. Trouble is, the airport may not always offer the best exchange rates as you rush to change over that cash before boarding your flight. Get the best rate by doing it ahead of time and save a little extra spending money.

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We don’t blame you for wanting to skip out on those lengthy connecting flights, but doing it direct, every time, can really add up. Opt for a layover every now and again and reward yourself by spending some of those savings while hanging around between flights at the duty-free!

Plus, here are 20 ways to fly in comfort on a budget.

Food can be one of the most costly aspects of travel; particularly when you’re doing it with a family to consider. While we won’t deny that checking out the local food scene can be one of the best parts of your trip, save yourself on at least one meal a day by scoping out resorts and hotels at your destination that include breakfast, if not all meals, in the price. That gives you one less thing to worry about – or pay for – on your stay.

If you don't have much time to plan ahead, check out 20 ways to score last minute deals without the stress.

If you’re looking to save big-time on travel, think about planning your vacations for the off-season. Consider the benefits beyond the slashed prices: less chaos at the airport, quieter resort grounds and enough in savings to consider planning another trip sooner than expected!

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It’s easy to skip the box that cites travel insurance when booking your flights, but never ignore the very real possibility that if something goes wrong, you’ve just denied yourself any kind of safety net. Travel insurance has come a long way (you may not even realize the coverage offered by your credit card company or personal health insurance until you ask). Even a basic insurance plan will help protect you from not just health issues, but things like trip cancellation and lost luggage.

If you find yourself stuck in an airport on a longer-than-expected delay, this list of 20 things to do when you're bored on a plane will come in handy!

It can be chaotic getting yourself to the airport in one piece on travel days, and it never fails that only once we get past those check-in gates do we consider our growling stomach. Airport food can be pricey, and that sticker shock only goes way up once you’re mid-flight, so while you might not be able to bring anything from home through security, we do have some suggestions. Stock up on a few treats from the airport convenience store and save your snack-splurge for the flight – it’s all about picking your battles, and believe us, you’ll like the duty-free prices better than the ones aboard your plane!

Choose snacks carefully to avoid turning into one of the worst airplane passengers to fly with!

Whether you’re jetting off for a lengthy 12-day trip or a mini weekend-getaway, never neglect getting your phone plan on board with your modified area code. Most phone plans offer a variety of travel packs, from daily discounted travel rates to weekly promos that cover you from domestic to international jet-setting. Nothing kills that post-vacay high like a phone bill that’s a few too many digits long!

Also helpful: this list of 20 secret ways to make your phone's battery last longer!

Sunscreen may seem like a small expenditure, but the markup on this stuff at resorts and in the airports is off the charts! Take the time to pick some up beforehand and pack it carefully into your carry-on (double-wrap in baggies to avoid any mess if the bottle should burst) – you’ll thank us when you aren’t paying a small fortune at the hotel boutique every other day for another mini-bottle of SPF 30.