14 Overpriced Travel Items That Are Draining Your Wallet — Stop Buying Them
Travel isn’t getting any cheaper. Savvy travelers now use social media platforms because the hashtag #travelsavings attracts millions of views while users exchange budget-saving travel tips. Even the most experienced travelers risk overspending when encountering costly tourism scams.
Beyond ticket counters and hotel desks, travelers face financial burdens from hidden costs they incur during their journeys. If you’re looking to save more money for unforgettable experiences instead of unnecessary expenses, you’ve come to the right place.
The list identifies the top 14 overpriced travel products and provides practical advice for avoiding them. Discover which travel items to avoid, learn the actual savings potential, and understand why these products remain top financial drains according to travel professionals and recent surveys.
Bottled Water at Tourist Spots
Water at airports and tourist attractions carries significant price markups, reaching up to 300%. After passing through security, it seems convenient to purchase bottled water, but what you’re paying for is its plastic container and ease of access.
Pack a reusable bottle filled with filtered water after passing through airport security to prevent costly spending on bottled water. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that travelers can save at least $50 when they choose reusable bottles for their international trips instead of bottled water.
Tip: Collapsible silicone bottles have earned popularity on TikTok since they are lightweight and TSA-approved.
Airport Food
Research shows that airport food prices rise between 70% and 200% compared to town store prices. The sandwich you buy at the airport gate for $15 typically tastes worse than meals outside costing $6. Better-prepared travelers should bring snacks and meals when departing for the airport. Packing your food helps you save money and avoid eating ultra-processed fast food options.
Tip: Airports have begun providing water stations and microwaves so travelers can heat their food during their journey. Check your airport’s website ahead of time.
Travel-Sized Toiletries
The small bottles of shampoo and toothpaste in airport stores are adorable yet overpriced. The 2023 BuzzFeed Shopping study demonstrated that travel-sized toiletries are priced at 400% more per ounce than their full-sized counterparts available at home. Purchase refillable travel containers as a one-time investment and then use them to store your existing personal care products.
Tip: TSA-compliant containers possess the dual benefits of being affordable and environmentally friendly while offering endless reusability.
Souvenirs
Tourist trap alert! Travelers can expect to pay up to four times more for souvenirs at airports and main attractions than at local markets. The most disappointing aspect is that these souvenirs are mass-manufactured items that lack quality, leading to expensive purchases for lackluster keepsakes. Local products offer better prices and are more meaningful gifts for recipients.
Tip: Invest your souvenir budget in local marketplaces and artisan shops, and inquire with vendors about the background stories of their products.
Currency Exchange at Airports
Travelers consistently identify airport exchange booths as major offenders in terms of hidden fees and unfavorable exchange rates. According to the Consumer Federation of America, airport currency exchange counters may have up to 15% markup rates.
To secure the best currency exchange rates, savvy travelers withdraw funds from their home bank before departure or use local ATMs when they reach their destination.
Tip: Tourists who need to exchange money at the airport should evaluate rates across various kiosks and avoid booths with “no-fee” promises that offer poor rates.
Roaming Charges
Using your phone abroad without a plan? That’s a recipe for an eye-watering bill. According to CTIA data, international roaming charges can reach over $10 per minute for calls, with data costs between $2 and $5 per MB. Upon returning home, many travelers find hundreds of dollars in unexpected fees in their accounts.
Tip: Purchase a local SIM card or set up an international travel plan through your carrier before departing.
Travel Insurance Add-ons
Travel insurance is usually beneficial, but avoid purchasing unnecessary add-ons during booking. Agents frequently try to sell you unnecessary variations, and duplications with your current credit card or health plan lead to double payments.
Tip: Check your credit card travel insurance terms to avoid paying for unnecessary extras. Travelers can use platforms like Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip to effortlessly compare different insurance options and tailor them to their needs.
Branded Medications
Airport pharmacies prefer to carry name-brand pain relievers and cold medications while charging substantial markups. Studies indicate that airport pharmacies charge 2–4 times higher prices for branded medicines than those sold outside airports. If you prepare your basic medications at home, you’ll save money and won’t have to search for them when unwell.
Tip: Prepare a compact travel kit containing essential items before you leave.
Certain City Tours
Booking tours through major online vendors or hotel desks typically costs more than making arrangements directly with local operators. Group tours usually charge between 30% and 100% more for pre-arranged convenience.
Tip: Search for local tour companies online after using GetYourGuide as an example to compare prices against direct bookings.
Adapters
$25 or more for universal power adapters, yet travelers can purchase them for $8–$12 from online sellers. Tip: Before departure, know your required plug types so you can buy them at home and keep an extra one to eliminate airport stress.
Neck Pillows
Travelers find airport neck pillows overpriced, with 200% and 300% markups. You can purchase a $30 plush pillow for $10–$12 through planned shopping.
Online stores offer multiple styles and materials, from memory foam to inflatable options, to help you find your most comfortable fit. For sanitary concerns, pack a washable cover or choose disposable covers for protection.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Airports remain noisy environments due to ongoing announcements, crying infants, and people having loud phone conversations. Airlines typically provide free headphones for passengers, but not every pair includes noise-canceling features. A pair of noise-canceling headphones makes all the difference when you want to block out airport sounds.
Tip: Purchase your neck pillow online beforehand and examine honest traveler feedback because comfort varies between individuals.
Luggage Wrapping Services
Have you seen airport stations charging between $10 and $30 to wrap your luggage in plastic? Experienced travelers and security specialists agree that luggage wrapping services are not essential unless you transport valuable items.
Tip: Switch to TSA-approved luggage locks because they’re cheaper than one wrapping service and provide long-term use.
Excess Baggage Fees
In 2022, U.S. airlines attained record-breaking revenue of $6.8 billion from increased baggage fees. Travelers who do not prepay or check overweight bags will incur immediate fees ranging from $50 to $200.
Tip: Check your luggage weight before departure and pay for checked bags upfront whenever possible. Packing cubes and compression bags help, too.
Attraction Photos
A skilled photo capturing your scream while riding a roller coaster? You might spend $30 on this purchase among the masses who buy due to FOMO. Photos from theme parks and tourist attractions are aggressively pushed as premium purchases but usually lack high-resolution digital formats.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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