Everything in life comes with it's difficulties, even the instagram perfect vacation. In the hustle and bustle of life and planning a vacation it's vary easy to overlook things. And, while some bloggers choose to have a page log intro before you get into the actual subject you were wondering about in the first place I can't stand that. So let's dive in and break down the top 10 travel problem areas:

1. Accommodation Costs:

   - Affordability and Safety: Finding a balance between affordable accommodation and safety can be challenging, especially in high-demand tourist areas where budget options may be limited.
A good way to make sure you're staying in a safe area is to read the reviews! I mean, honestly you should be doing this anyway. if transportation isn't an issue try checking out a local suburb of the area you are going to, it's usually within 20 minutes of where you want to be (which is less time then a lot of people spend commuting to work) and you can save a ton of money with less hooligans running around.

   - Hidden Fees: Budget accommodations might have hidden fees or charges for amenities, so it's essential to read EVERYTHING and understand the total cost before booking. What are the fees to keep an eye out for? Let's break it down:

• Service fees - the fee every website charges for you being able to book through them. It can't really be avoided but can sometimes be astronomically high. So when you do find that cute BNB or hotel you want to stay at, check other apps/websites for the same location. Sometimes you can get a lower fee.

• Cleaning fees: Since the dawn of Airbnb (whom I use quite often but have no affiliation with) there has been cleaning fees. I'm fine with that, if the place is clean. Cool, no worries. But since that bitch Rona reared her ugly head some of these fees have increased to an insane amount.

• Booking fees - I honestly still haven't figured out the difference between a booking and a service fee, I feel like it's all the same and just another way to make more money off of us

• State & local taxes - can't be avoided. Just suck it up and deal with it.

So keep an eye out, if you're just doing 1-2 nights, more often than not it's cheaper just to get a hotel now cause you end up spending more in fees then the actual stay. If you're going somewhere for a week, I prefer to just pay a few extra fees for the place I'm staying so I can save money on food while I'm there. All in all I usually spend less when all is said and done.

2. Transportation Expenses:

   - Last-Minute Costs: Booking transportation last minute, especially during peak travel times, can result in significantly higher costs.
Gone are the days of last minute deals. Book ahead, save money. And always ALWAYS get the extra insurance. If it's covered by your insurance company you need to call and speak with someone from the rental company to be sure that you have all the paperwork and information they need. It doesn't matter if it can be covered if you're standing at the kiosk in the airport and don't have what they need. No they can't just look at it on your phone, just like if you were in their shoes you wouldn't be able to either. Make your life, and the clerk at the rental companies life easier and be prepared.

   - Unforeseen Expenses: Overlooking additional costs associated with transportation, such as baggage fees, transportation to and from airports, or costs for changing travel dates.
When you're booking your flight and planning your trip just make sure to keep all this in mind. I feel like it's pretty self explanatory.

3. Meal Expenses:

   - Affordable Dining Options: Identifying budget-friendly dining options without compromising on experiencing local cuisine.
Street food is a must! But don't expect it to be as sparkling clean as a Michelin starred restaurant. People have been eating from food stalls and carts for hundreds of years. You're fine. That being said you don't want something super dirty either. Use your brain.

   - Hidden Costs: Unexpected costs like service charges, taxes, or tipping practices that may not be immediately apparent on the menu.
Do your diligence and check ahead of time, most countries outside of the US pay a living wage so tipping the amounts we feel like we have to hear is unheard of, in some places, if you even tip a dollar they are thrilled. That being said, if you want to make someone's day give them a big tip. Last time I was in Ireland I did so well being budget conscious that I actually had a couple hundred dollars extra of my spending money by the end of the trip. What did I do? Tipped my amazing waitress thirty euro. While I couldn't ever do this as a consistent thing she was so thrilled she quite literally cried.

4. Currency Exchange and Transaction Fees:

   - Exchange Rates: Understanding the impact of currency exchange rates on expenses and finding the best ways to exchange money.
Easiest way to save money? Go somewhere that your personal local currency reigns supreme. For example I usually save money in Canada as the US dollar is consistently worth more (for now, everything changes so keep up on this and check before every trip). In England I spend more money as the English pound is usually worth more than the US dollar. Keep the local economy in mind also. Most of Europe uses the Euro (which is also worth more than the USD), that being said that is going to much further in Greece than it is in Italy.

   - Credit Card Fees: Minimizing transaction fees associated with credit card usage abroad.
Most cards out there have a low amount, if you get a rewards credit card get one that's travel reward related and 99.9% of the time there will be no foreign fees.

5. Travel Insurance:

   - Coverage vs. Cost: Striking a balance between the desire for comprehensive coverage and the need to keep insurance costs low.
First, check with your insurance and see if it covers you wherever you are going, if not go from there. Get what makes you comfortable.

   - Understanding Policy: Carefully reading and understanding the terms, limitations, and coverage provided by budget-friendly travel insurance.
I feel like this needs no further information.

6. Attractions and Activities:

   - Entrance Fees: Researching and budgeting for entrance fees to popular tourist attractions.
Best way to do this is make alist of everywhere you want to go (don't worry about narrowing it down, just write everything you want to do). A quick google search will get you the answers of how much it'll cost to get in to these places. There's many ways to take advantage of deals though! A lot of attractions will offer reduced rates for nonpeak visitors. This is great for many reasons, less people around you for that picture you have to have in front of the Parthenon, and saving money while doing it are just a couple of the reasons. Also keep an eye out for bundles! When I went to the Acropolis I was able to save money on the bundle to get into the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, Hadriens Library, and four other places we didn't make it too (there's a lot to see, ya know?) I also saved even more money as we went there at open and got an extra discount. Plus as the weather got hotter and more people were arriving, we were finishing our little mini hike and heading to cooler areas of town. Another way to save money on such things is to get a City Pass from a company like Go City. I have sang their praises and will continue to because they truly are fantastic. If you want more info as to what the big deal is check out my previous blog What The Heck Is A City Pass?

   - Free Activities: Identifying free or low-cost activities to balance the budget while still enjoying the destination.
The British Museum is a PERFECT example of something to do that's free. This place rocks, check it out if you're in London. There's also parks, and attractions all over that can be checked out for free.

7. Communication and Connectivity:

   - Phone Plans: Finding cost-effective ways to stay connected, such as local SIM cards or affordable international phone plans.
I'm blessed to be grandfathered into a fantastic and low priced global plan with Tmobile that they came out with when I was 19. But there are many plans out there and you can buy "passes" or essentially mini global plans that will last for a certain duration of time and cover a specific amount of data. These aren't the cheapest however. Another thing you can do is grab one of your old cell phones (we all have one lying around) and get a sim card when you get to your location.

   - Data Roaming: Minimizing data roaming charges and understanding Wi-Fi availability in the destination.
Like I said before. Check your plan 🤷‍♀️

8. Unexpected Expenses:

   - Emergency Funds: Having a contingency fund for unexpected situations like medical emergencies, lost belongings, or changes in travel plans.
This could be a separate credit card you don't use for anything else.

   - Travel Insurance: Ensuring that the travel insurance policy covers potential unexpected expenses.
Many credit cards will cover things like lost luggage, the catch that most people miss is you have to book the plane ticket with the same card. So when you go to book that ticket. Be smart and don't forget to bring that card with you.

9. Time Constraints:

   - Transportation Time: Balancing cost savings with the time required for budget transportation options, which may be more time-consuming than faster but more expensive alternatives.
When it comes down to it this is a simple question with a simple answer. How valuable is your time?

10. Cultural and Language Barriers:

    - Local Customs: Understanding local customs and practices to avoid unintentional expenses or misunderstandings.
We've all heard how much other countries aren't fans of Americans, they deem us loud, disrespectful, uneducated, and the list goes on and on. I've heard numerous complaints of people being treated unfairly or rudely by locals while on vacation. But why do they think this, and why does this happen? People from every country can be all of those things. Honestly, in my personal experience I have never had an issue with locals who were rude to me. That being said, I always try and do my due diligence before I go anywhere. It's simple, respect others and they will respect you. Take time to understand the culture of the places you visit, remember you are a guest in THEIR country. Think of it this way, if you invited someone into your home and they acted like they owned the place and didn't respect it how would you feel? Some cultures can be very abrupt, to some it may seem rude. To them they are giving you a direct answer and there's no point in small talk.

    - Language Assistance: Overcoming language barriers with translation apps or local assistance to navigate situations that could lead to additional costs.
When it comes to languages try and learn even a basic "hello", "thank you" and "bathroom". That's usually enough to get you through and they'll appreciate that you are trying.

Mitigating these challenges involves thorough research, planning, and adaptability. Utilizing budget travel resources, staying informed, and being open to alternative solutions can help address these issues while keeping costs in check. When all else fails you can always reach out to me! I'm on instagram at @thedirtytourist or you can email me at [email protected]. I'm a pretty open book and would love to help you out.

Hey fellow dirty tourists!

Here's the scoop: I'm in cahoots with some pretty cool companies, and when you click on some of my links, there's a chance I might earn a little somethin'-somethin'. But fear not, it won't cost you an arm, a leg, or your firstborn. It just earns me a little digital high-five from them.

Rest assured, I only recommend stuff I genuinely think is worth your time, money, and maybe even a chuckle or two. But hey, if you're not vibing with it, that's totally cool too! You do you, and I'll keep the fun travel tips coming your way.

Happy travels ❤️

-Sarah