Is it really such a great deal? Have you budgeted for all
the essentials? Without good planning, 'cheap'
travel can be more expensive than you think. Make the most
of your holiday overseas with our
guide to the hidden costs of travel
. We'll help you enjoy the best the world has to
offer.
Insurance
It might add a little to the initial cost of your holiday,
but it can save you much more in the long run. In the case
of a medical emergency, as much as hundreds of thousands of
dollars. And make sure you get cancellation cover from the
moment you take out your travel insurance, or you might end up
paying for a holiday you don't get to experience.
Airport delays
Delayed flights and missed connections can be a nightmare,
and airport cafes and restaurants aren't cheap. Nor
are nearby hotels, on the whole. So always have a little
cash in reserve to cover the cost of unexpected extra meals
and accommodation, especially if it's a family
holiday.
Giving your pets a 'holiday'
Someone has to care for your household pets while
you're away. So unless you can rely on willing
neighbours, you'll need to budget for kennels or a
cattery.
Excursions, trips and attractions
As an example, a day-ticket for Disneyland, California,
costs US$66.00 per person, US$56.00 for under-10s. So the
cost of a day out can add up quite quickly. Make sure
you've budgeted for planned and unplanned activities.
Deposits for hire equipment
Sometimes it's nice to hire a boat, a car, or some
diving equipment. Often, you'll need to leave your
credit card details, or a 'swipe' with the
hirer. If you don't have a credit card, you'll
need to pay a returnable deposit. So make sure you have this
in reserve, to save disappointment.
Overall, expect the unexpected. And speak to friends,
colleagues or fellow travellers about their experiences
– they might point out something you'd forgotten
to budget for.
