This guide walks through 13 hidden travel costs so you can add them to your trip budget before you book.
Even when you plan carefully, trips almost always end up costing more than you expected. It’s usually not the big stuff like flights or hotels that blow your budget – it’s all the little “oh yeah, that too” costs.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 13 common hidden travel costs people forget to budget for, so you can add them into your numbers up front instead of being surprised later.
When you’re done, you can plug your daily budget into the Trip Cost Calculator on CostPerTrip to see your total trip cost and cost per person.
Trip planning tools
1. Airport parking and rides to the airport
If you drive to the airport and park, the daily parking rate adds up quickly. If you take a rideshare or taxi instead, that can be just as expensive – especially round-trip.
How to budget for it:
- Look up parking rates or typical Uber/Lyft fares to your airport.
- Multiply by the number of days you’ll be gone (for parking) or plan for both directions (for rideshares).
- Add that amount as part of your overall trip budget, not just a last-minute extra.
2. Baggage fees and seat selection
Many airlines charge extra for checked bags, overweight bags, and even carry-ons. Some also charge to pick your seat or board earlier.
How to budget for it:
- Check your airline’s baggage and seat fees before you book.
- Add the total round-trip cost for bags and seat choices into your budget.
- If you’re trying to save, consider packing lighter to avoid those fees.
3. Airport food and drinks
Airport snacks, coffees, and quick meals are often much pricier than normal. A couple of “we’ll just grab something at the gate” moments can add $30–$50 to your day.
How to budget for it:
- Assume at least one snack or meal at the airport each way.
- Add a small line item (for example, $15–$25 per person, per travel day) to cover airport food.
4. Foreign transaction fees and ATM fees
If you’re traveling internationally, your bank may charge fees for ATM withdrawals and card purchases in foreign currencies.
How to budget for it:
- Check your bank’s foreign transaction fee (% per purchase) and ATM fees.
- Estimate how much cash you’ll withdraw and how often.
- Add a small buffer (for example, 2–3% of total trip spending) to cover bank fees.
5. Local transport at your destination
It’s easy to remember flights and hotels, but easy to forget how you’ll get around once you arrive: metro passes, buses, trams, taxis, rideshares, bike rentals, etc.
How to budget for it:
- Look up typical single-ride fares or day passes for public transport.
- Estimate how many rides you’ll take per day.
- Add a daily amount (for example, $5–$20 per person per day, depending on the city) to your budget.
6. Resort fees and “extra” hotel charges
Some hotels and resorts charge daily “resort fees” or add-ons for things like Wi-Fi, pool access, or “facility charges.” These don’t always show clearly in the base nightly rate.
How to budget for it:
- Before you book, check whether your hotel charges resort fees, service fees, or city taxes.
- Multiply any per-night fee by the number of nights.
- Add that total to your accommodation budget so it doesn’t surprise you at checkout.
7. Tips and service charges
Tips for hotel staff, restaurant service charges, tour guides, drivers, and other helpers often get missed when people plan their trip budget.
How to budget for it:
- Research typical tipping expectations for your destination.
- For restaurants, many people use 10–20% of the bill.
- Add a small daily amount for tips (for example, $5–$15 per person per day, depending on your trip style).
8. Activities, tickets, and tours
You might remember the “big” attraction you want to see, but forget smaller paid activities: museums, tours, shows, day trips, and experiences.
How to budget for it:
- List the main activities you want to do and look up approximate prices.
- Add a buffer for “spontaneous” activities you might decide on after you arrive.
- Add that total into your trip budget before you travel, not after.
9. Phone data and roaming
Using your phone abroad without a plan can get very expensive. Even locally, you might need a hotspot or extra data if you’re using maps and apps all day.
How to budget for it:
- Check your carrier’s international roaming plan or travel add-ons.
- Consider an eSIM or local SIM card if it’s cheaper for your destination.
- Add the total expected cost of data/phone coverage to your trip budget.
10. Snacks, water, and random convenience-store runs
Little purchases add up: bottled water, quick snacks, sunscreen you forgot, toiletries, a hat because it’s sunny, or an umbrella because it’s raining.
How to budget for it:
- Add a small daily amount for “miscellaneous” items (for example, $5–$10 per person per day).
- Don’t try to track every single snack in advance – just give yourself a realistic buffer.
11. Souvenirs and small gifts
You may not plan to shop much, but it’s easy to pick up a few souvenirs, postcards, or small gifts for friends and family.
How to budget for it:
- Decide ahead of time how much you’re comfortable spending on souvenirs.
- Set a simple limit (for example, $30–$100 total, depending on your style).
- Add that as a separate line in your trip budget.
12. Travel insurance
Travel insurance isn’t required for every trip, but it can protect you against cancellations, medical issues, lost luggage, and more. If you decide to buy it, it’s an extra cost you don’t want to squeeze in last minute.
How to budget for it:
- Get a rough quote based on your total trip cost and destination.
- Use your total cost estimate from the Trip Cost Calculator as a guide.
- Add the insurance premium as a separate line item.
13. “Coming home” costs
After your trip, there can still be a few expenses: airport parking balance, grocery restock, maybe a rideshare home, or an extra day off work without pay.
How to budget for it:
- Remember to include transport home from the airport or station.
- Plan a little extra for groceries or basic supplies when you return.
- If unpaid time off affects your income, keep that in mind when setting your total budget.
How to add these hidden costs to your trip budget
The easiest way to handle hidden costs is to build them into your daily budget and overall trip total instead of treating them as surprises.
A simple approach:
- Start with your daily budget per person (including food, local transport, and small extras).
- Add separate line items for flights, insurance, big activities, and other one-off costs.
- Add a buffer of 10–15% on top for things you didn’t think of.
Once you have those numbers, you can plug them into the Trip Cost Calculator on CostPerTrip to get:
- Your estimated total trip cost, and
- Your estimated cost per person.
Want to see how these hidden costs add up in real trips? Check out our 7-Day Trip Cost Example: How Much Does a Week-Long Vacation Really Cost? and our Weekend Trip Cost Example: How Much Does a 3-Day Getaway Really Cost?
Next step: use the Trip Cost Calculator
Now that you know what to include, it’s much easier to set a realistic trip budget.
Instead of guessing, take:
- Your number of travelers
- Number of nights
- Travel style (Budget, Mid-range, or Luxury)
- Your average daily budget per person
Then plug them into the Trip Cost Calculator on CostPerTrip to see your estimated total trip cost and cost per person before you book anything.
Use this list of hidden costs as a checklist, and you’ll be much less likely to be surprised by your final trip bill.
If you want more ideas to lower your overall trip cost, read our 21 Simple Travel Money-Saving Tips (Without Ruining Your Trip) for practical ways to save without feeling like you’re cutting all the fun.