5 Ways To Avoid Tourist Traps and Overspending on Your Spring Vacation
Written by
Chris Adam
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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The arrival of spring may have you thinking about travel. Spring can be a good time to go on vacation and face smaller crowds and perhaps lower prices than in the heat of summer.
While planning a spring vacation, it can be easy to fall into tourist traps and overspending opportunities. That’s why GOBankingRates talked to some travel experts for their five ways to better plan and take your spring trip.
Make Friends Online and in the Hotel
“Honestly, my best tip comes from messing up constantly,” said Jasmine Charbonier, a travel expert from Your Tampa Bestie. “I now research everything through local blogs and forums instead of mainstream travel sites. These spots often push sponsored content and overpriced tours.”
Charbonier said making friends with hotel staff is another great way to avoid tourist traps. They can steer you toward affordable local spots to enjoy.
Pass on Skip-the-Line Options
“Here’s what drives me crazy about tourist areas: Those ridiculous ‘skip-the-line’ passes that cost three times the regular admission price,” Charbonier said. “Total scam. Instead, I grab timed-entry tickets directly from museum websites.
Walk for Food
According to Charbonier, food is another major trap. Charbonier said those restaurants with picture menus near major attractions are ones to keep. Charbonier walks at least five to six blocks away from tourist zones to find good local food.
Be Hotel Smart
It can sometimes take a bit more work to find a refundable hotel rate, but Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie, founder and senior editor at The Globetrotting Teacher, said it’s worth it so you have the option to cancel and rebook if the hotel price goes down.
“When you’re flexible on the destination, book refundable hotels in a few places to take advantage of the best-priced flights,” Sills-Dellegrazie said. “Cancel the hotels you don’t need, and track the ones you do need.”
Think International
“If you’re traveling internationally, use an eSIM to keep your phone connected,” according to Sills-Dellegrazie. “For what it typically costs for one to two days using your local cell carrier’s travel plan, you can buy an eSIM for the same price with a ton more, if not unlimited, data that’ll be good for your entire trip.”
If you’re paying for something on an international trip and you’re asked if you want to pay in USD or the local currency, per Sills-Dellegrazie, always pay in the local currency to avoid added convenience fees.
The same goes when using ATMs abroad. As you go through the steps to withdraw cash, decline the conversion. You can still withdraw your money but you’ll skip the added fees the local bank was about to add to your transaction.
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