Many of us love traveling because it allows us to escape from daily routines and meet new people. That said, you should never overlook the fact that often traveling can be dangerous as well.
A fun trip can easily become a nightmare, especially if you inevitably fall for a tourist trap.
That sounds scary, but don’t worry. Today, we’ll look at how to become more conscious travelers with the list of ten tourist traps you should always watch out for.
1. Hidden Airline Fees
Airlines entice travelers with seemingly low seat prices. However, these sales usually have surcharges and hidden fees.
Luckily, you can save money if you know how to avoid airline traps. Here’s a few things you can do.
Book directly with the airline to avoid third-party fees or problems with unreliable websites or travel agents.
Be careful when booking tickets. Charges for insurance, in-flight meals, and other add-ons are easy to overlook. Always check the total and the things you are going to pay for before making any payment .
Tickets sometimes will not include check-in luggage. Pay attention to baggage fees and know the weight limits to prevent extra charges.
2. Overpriced Taxi Fares
From broken meters to extended routes, there are plenty of ways for a taxi driver to add extra costs to your ride.
Unfortunately, taxi drivers can take advantage of tourists because most of the time you do not know the city you are visiting.
To avoid overpriced taxi fares it’s vital to know the general direction of your destination. You can use easily use Google Maps to check your location in real time.
Another alternative could be to use use public transport or an app with fixed fares (like Uber).
Using public transportation will save you money and can reveal hidden places you would not have seen in a car.
3. Fake Tourist Guides
During your travels, you may encounter someone who will offer to give you a tour. While these people may appear to be in official uniforms, some are fake guides who have no clue about the attraction!
If you really wanna do a tour remember to book in advance, even better if you find official tour guides through the attraction’s official web page.
If you are in doubt remember that your tourist guide should have proper IDs and certifications.
4. “Free” Gifts
Always be wary of people offering gifts. In most cases, these items are not free, and you’ll get charged for them in the end.
It’s a fairly common scam in large European cities, and unfortunately I see it often.
Never accept free items. Some scammers may attempt to put bracelets, hats, or other items on you. Don’t agree to this even if they say it’s free.
In some cases, even official tours may bring you into factories where you’ll become forced to buy local products. Don’t be afraid to decline an offer for something you don’t want.
5. Extra Food Charges
Different countries have varying food cultures. For example, European restaurants may serve you bread or bottled water and charge you for them later on.
If you’re in a foreign country and don’t know how it works, you can always ask the server whether something is free or not.
In some countries, restaurants may add taxes or service fees to the final bill.If you can do some research beforehand to know how more about the tipping culture in the country you are visiting.
6. Misleading Fine Prints
Reading the fine print is always a good idea wherever you go. Doing so when renting a car or booking a hotel room can help you avoid unnecessary fees.
In particular we reccomend to check bank policies when withdrawing cash abroad to avoid foreign fees.
Some countries will also offer tax returns for items you’ve bought. Make sure to save all your receipts and claim tax returns at the airport.
Finally, read your contract and ask about hidden charges when renting a car or making any kind of purchase that involves a contract.
7. Ticket Scams
A common scam tourists fall for is fake entrance tickets. Scammers may tell you you have the wrong ticket and ask you to pay for a new one.
Stay clear of these ticket scams by buying from official websites, and even if someone is wearing a uniform, you should be wary if they’re telling you you have the wrong ticket.
Extra Tip: be aware of market prices. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it might be a scam!
8. Inauthentic Shops
Restaurants and stores near tourist attractions are common tourist traps. Not only do they have higher fees, but these establishments may also offer inauthentic experiences.
A good strategy to avoid these scams is to follow the locals and explore the stores even locals would visit.
Before going somewhere always check online reviews or ask someone who is familiar with the area.
9. Expensive Souvenirs
Tourists are often clueless about the standard prices. Shop owners know this, and they may mark up costs for travelers!
You should always buy from shops with price lists and remember that in some countries (Such as China, Turkey and Egypt), you can haggle for the price of an item.
10. Pickpocket Schemes
One of the worst tourist traps out there is pickpocketing scams.
Sadly, many tourist attractions have a huge crowd of visitors, and it’s when you’re among this crowd that you can fall prey to pickpockets!
Always hold your bag in front of you and keep it close to your body. Never take excessive sums of money out of your bag, and don’t wear expensive jewelry or watches.
Generally speaking, when you travel, always pay attention to your surroundings. Scammers and pickpockets can blend in with the crowd and snatch your belongings when you’re less expecting it.