Are you planning a holiday to India from the USA anytime soon? Does your travel budget concern you? If you have blown your travel budget before, there are chances that you might be thinking that budgeting isn’t for you. Several travel mistakes can have a significant impact on your travel budget. But, you need not jump the ship on the first signs of difficulty.
Many errors that influence your budget have easier fixes than you believe.
We believe that budgeting doesn’t always have to be complicated. Therefore, we have devised a list of some major travel mistakes that might affect your budget.
So, whenever you decide to plan a vacation to India, all you need to do is to avoid them while booking best airlines to travel.
Also, get rid of the constant concern at the back of your mind about how much you might end up spending on your trip.
Let’s take a look at some travel mistakes that can cost you fortunes on your next trip to India.
1. Purchasing Food at the Airport
Once you go through the security at the airport, you have limited options about where to buy food.
Airport restaurants take advantage of it and mark up the prices as per their will. Therefore, you end up paying twice or even thrice the original price.
To avoid travel mistakes, and blowing up your food budget during your travel, we suggest you carry your food and drinks.
Opt for home-made sandwiches and salads. You can pack these in a lunch bag. Also, there are chances that the food that you are carrying along will be much better than all other available options.
Furthermore, consider carrying a reusable water bottle for your drinks. You can finish it before getting through the security and then fill it up with water before boarding your flight.
2. Over-Packing
This is one of the most basic travel mistakes. If your luggage is heavier than the aircraft’s weight limit, you will undoubtedly end up paying extra baggage fees.
If you are traveling for a short trip, you can avoid this unnecessary expense by learning to pack light.
Also, this will prevent you from worrying about airlines losing or misplacing your luggage.
Adopt a minimal mindset while packing. Pack only the essentials and choose versatile outfits.
Try adding layers to them. Also, avoid packing the things which you intend to buy once you reach your destination.
By following the above suggestion, you can save a lot of money. Furthermore, you will not have to wait longer for your luggage at the baggage claim.
3. Foreign Transaction Fee
If you are purchasing outside your country using a credit card, there might be some foreign transaction fees on it.
This fee can add up quickly and add to some unnecessary expenses.
If you gave to shop during your trip to India, avoid using credit cards with foreign transaction fees.
Also, for some travel cards, there is a policy of paying an annual fee. Therefore, you will have to earn some travel points to offset your cost.
Moreover, some travel credit cards and airlines these days offer a benefit of no foreign transaction fees.
Try opting for such cards. Along with this, it is advisable to open a bank account with no such fees. This can be a smart money move if you travel from the USA to India frequently.
4. Choosing Pricey Hotels over the Cheaper Ones
Your travel accommodation budget depends on you. It can expensive or cheap; whatever way you want it to be.
Besides, it plays a significant role in making up your mind about finalizing your travel finances.
Always compare before booking your hotels. Analyzing your choices can help you find the type of lodging facility that fits your budget. Try to avail of different discounts and offers.
In addition to this, you can opt for hostels if you feel that the cost of hotels is not within your budget.
Although hostels may not be a well-situated choice for everyone, they are an excellent way to save on your accommodation expenses.
5. Neglecting Health
After weeks of planning and saving, ‘there’s an amazing and exhilarating feeling that comes up when you finally board your flight.
After you reach your destination, it may be tempting to step out to explore the place almost immediately or for a night-out each day.
While this may look like a fun thing to do, ‘don’t burn yourself out or you may end up spending fortunes on the ‘doctor’s bill.
Getting inevitably sick could get you bedridden for several days and cut short your trip.
Also, when in India, street food may look tempting. But, refrain from having it if you have a weaker immune system. Enjoy it within limits.
Also, avoiding sunscreen may cost you a lot in terms of medical fees, especially when traveling to India during the hot scorching summers.
Make sure you put your health first. You would not want to spend the rest of your days in the hospital and watch your money going down the drain.
6. Ignoring Roaming Charges
Even if you are on your trip for a couple of days, the roaming charges can pile up quickly and affect your finances.
Before you travel to your destination, make it a priority to get in touch with your service provider to know about the options available for you as far as these charges are concerned.
If you are away for a long period of time, try putting your plans on hold until you get back to the USA.
Additionally, you can look into purchasing a local SIM Card when in India. This might be a cheaper option depending on how long you will be gone for.
7. Letting Your Guard Down
While you are traveling, your safety should be your topmost priority. The most terrible thing you can imagine to take place is you being robbed of your valuables – even in broad daylight.
Being away from your home, you should never let your guard down. Getting pickpocketed is quite common while in India.
Even the most experienced travelers can confirm to have experienced this at one point or another.
Nothing ruins a holiday than realizing your wallet, passport, or phone is no longer with you.
Furthermore, imagine yourself in a foreign land with no cash or proof of identity. ‘It’s horrifying. Therefore, try keeping your valuables safe.
Also, refrain from carrying designer bags or wearing expensive clothing brands or jewelry. This is because this can make you an easy target.
8. Overspending
When on holiday, we feel like buying all the things we see. This might push you to exceed your spending limit. Your “YOLO” sentiment can land you in trouble.
The souvenirs that you end up buying may not be of much use to you. There are chances that these might end up cluttering your home.
While it might be okay to splurge on something meaningful once in a while, overspending can affect your budget tremendously. Therefore, you should know when to draw a line while spending.
9. Overlooking your bills at home
A holiday is all about leaving your monotonous routines behind. However, never miss out on paying your bills at home.
Whether it’s your water bill, electricity bill, or paying your bank loan, set up automatic payments, so you don’t forget to pay them.
Otherwise, there are chances of you ending up paying a lot of interest or late fees, thereby affecting your finances.
Plus, you ‘don’t want to turn home and find your electricity connection cut off.
Therefore, decide your travel priorities and set a budget accordingly. Avoid spending too much by finding cheap flights from the USA to India.
The less you use up for your present holiday, the more you can end up saving for your next travel adventure!