How to avoid unexpected expenses when travelling

When travelling, even small expenses can quietly eat into your budget. This applies to both personal trips and business travel. Here is a brief list of tips to help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

How to avoid unexpected expenses

1Plan your budget

Divide your expenses into main categories: transport, accommodation, food, and entertainment.
Set aside a 10–15% buffer for unforeseen expenses.

2Check the fees

Check your card’s terms and conditions: cash withdrawals, currency conversion, and payments abroad.

3Don’t exchange currency at the airport

The exchange rate there is usually less favourable. It’s better to withdraw money from an ATM or exchange it in town.

4Book in advance

Booking early helps you avoid overpaying for hotels, tickets and transfers.

5Read the booking terms

Pay attention to additional charges, taxes and cancellation policies.

Additional tips

1Pay in local currency

When paying by card, select the local currency — the exchange rate is usually more favourable this way.

2Check for city tax

In many cities, this charge is not included in the accommodation cost and is paid separately.

3Check the hotel deposit

Hotels may block a portion of the funds on your card as a guarantee — it’s important to factor this into your budget

4Avoid ‘commission-free’ ATMs

Commission-free ATMs often use a less favourable exchange rate. It’s better to use bank ATMs.

Pre-trip checklist

• budget
• card and fees
• bookings
• contingency funds

It is possible to avoid unexpected expenses whilst travelling if you plan your budget in advance and pay close attention to the details. This will help make your trip comfortable and stress-free.

And if you want to organise a trip without unnecessary expenses or risks, the Persey Travel team will help you plan everything from start to finish.