15 Ways Traveling for Christmas Could Ruin Your Budget
Twinkling lights, homemade feasts, and reunions are synonymous with the holiday season. If your Christmas plans include a flight, road trip, or even a train ride, you could be in a financial bind before you even unwrap your first present. Sure, there’s no denying that reuniting with loved ones or seeing a winter wonderland is a joy, but there’s no denying that traveling during the holidays can leave you broke faster than you can say ‘season’s greetings’.
When you’ve planned your budget to the last detail and executed it to perfection, the post-holiday credit card bill often feels like a lump of coal in your stocking. Here are 15 ways traveling for Christmas can wreck your budget and tips on how to avoid them.
Hotel Prices Are Through the Roof
Rates often double during Christmas week, and hotels cash in on the holiday rush. Demand skyrockets even faster in those that are in popular destinations. If you’re in a big city or close to tourist attractions, that cozy room you were picturing might come with a price tag that’s a little less warm and fuzzy.
Gas Prices Tend to Climb
If you’re road-tripping, don’t expect to pay cheap to fill your tank. In areas with high demand or limited supply, gas prices often get a holiday hike. Add in long distances and you’re talking about a hefty fuel bill that takes a bite out of your gift budget.
Unexpected Luggage Fees
Christmas packing means extra bags—gifts, winter clothes, and bulky boots. Luggage policies at airlines are strict, and the prices for extra or overweight bags can quickly get out of hand. You’re suddenly paying $50 for that handily wrapped set of candles before you even know it.
Eating Out Adds Up
When you travel, you tend to eat out more often. Restaurant holiday menus are pricier and fast food stops can really add up when you’re on the move. Those “quick meals” could end up costing you more than you think, if you’re feeding a family.
Holiday Parking Fees Are No Joke
Holiday travelers are capitalizing on airport parking lots and city garages. Parking rates can be doubled, or even tripled, turning what should have been a minor expense into a major expense. Parking your car at the airport for a week can be as expensive as a plane ticket.
Skyrocketing Airfare Costs
Air travel during the holidays is notoriously expensive. Hopper says that domestic flights can be more than 30% more expensive during the Christmas period than during off season. It’s peak travel time and airlines know it, so they charge appropriately. Waiting too long—or too soon—to book can cost you hundreds more than you planned.
Delays Lead to Extra Expenses
Often, winter weather and holiday crowds mean delays. Flights missed, longer layovers or detours can leave you scrabbling for meals, accommodation, rebooking fees, and so on. Unplanned costs can easily get your budget out of whack.
Last-Minute Travel Bookings Cost More
Plans change sometimes and you find yourself booking travel at the last minute. The unfortunate thing about procrastination is that it’s expensive during the holidays. Hotels, car rentals, or last-minute flights can be two or three times more expensive.
Higher Rental Car Rates
In popular destinations, car rental companies raise prices for holiday travel. It also becomes an availability issue too, and if you’re not careful you can end up paying a premium for a less-than-ideal vehicle.
Visiting Holiday Attractions Costs A Fortune
There are many Christmas themed activities that come with steep entry fees, like ice skating, light shows, or holiday markets. They’re undoubtedly festive, but if you’re traveling with kids, the cost of participation can add up.
Gifting Expenses Add Extra Weight
Traveling with gifts is tricky. There’s also the risk you’ll be charged extra luggage fees if you’re flying. If you’re driving, you have the problem of how to fit everything in your car. However, if you choose to send gifts ahead of time, shipping prices during the holidays are anything but cheap.
Currency Exchange Rates for International Travel
Currency exchange rates are a hidden budget killer for those heading overseas. At airports, exchange counters often charge more during peak holiday travel, so you have less money to spend on your trip.
Travel Insurance Isn’t Cheap
Of course, insurance is a good safety net, but holiday travel premiums can be higher than normal. This adds another line item to your travel budget for coverage of delays, cancellations, or medical emergencies.
The Little Extras Add Up
The little things you pick up from snacks at the airport to souvenirs at every pit stop can quietly eat away at your budget. While those spur-of-the-moment purchases may seem harmless at the time, you can end up with a case of buyer’s remorse.
Stress-Driven Impulse Buys
Sometimes, holiday travel is stressful, and you may splurge to make the trip a little less overwhelming. Stress spending is sneaky, whether it’s upgrading to first class, booking a last-minute luxury hotel, or treating yourself to expensive comfort food.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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