I’ll never forget my first night in Rome. Jetlagged, hungry, and eager to see the city, I jumped straight into the first taxi waiting outside the airport. The driver smiled, loaded my bag, and sped off. Twenty minutes later, I realized I’d just paid nearly double the official rate. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it left me with that sinking feeling had I just been tricked before even tasting my first plate of pasta in Italy?
That little sting taught me something I’ve carried through every trip since: tourists are prime targets for overcharging. And it doesn’t just happen with taxis. Whether you’re wandering through the streets of Bangkok, sipping coffee in Paris, or checking into a resort in Las Vegas, there are subtle ways visitors end up paying more than they should.
The truth is, it’s not about being naïve it’s about being new. Locals know which taxi stands are official, which souvenir shops are fair, and which “special deals” are anything but. As travelers, we’re often so focused on the excitement of exploring that we overlook these small details. The good news? Once you learn to spot the patterns, it becomes surprisingly easy to avoid them.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the nine most common ways tourists get overcharged, from airport taxis and currency exchange kiosks to hidden resort fees. I’ll also share the mistakes I made (so you don’t have to repeat them) and the practical tricks I use today to keep my budget focused on experiences that matter.
1. Airport Taxis That Charge Double
That Rome taxi ride still stings when I think about it. I was tired, my Italian was limited to “ciao” and “grazie,” and I just wanted to get to my hotel. The driver smiled, tossed my suitcase in, and off we went. No meter, no mention of a fixed fare. When we pulled up outside my hotel, he told me it was €70. I later learned the official fixed price was €48. Not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but when you realize you’ve been taken advantage of before your trip even begins, it leaves a sour taste.
Since then, I’ve gotten into the habit of checking official taxi prices before I land. Some airports even have signs that list the fixed rates into the city New York, Rome, and Bangkok all do this. These days, I either look for the official taxi rank or I’ll pull up a rideshare app on my phone before leaving the airport Wi-Fi. It’s not foolproof, but it’s saved me from that “did I just get scammed?” feeling more than once.
2. Currency Exchange Kiosks with Terrible Rates
Paris taught me a money lesson the hard way. I walked straight up to one of those little kiosks near the Eiffel Tower and swapped $100 for euros. By the time the clerk handed me my cash, I had effectively lost almost 15% in hidden fees and terrible conversion rates. That’s basically like tipping the kiosk for nothing.
Now, I almost never use those places. ATMs tied to actual banks are so much better, and if you can get a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees, it’s a lifesaver. I’ll still exchange a small amount at the airport if I absolutely need cash right away for a cab or train, but I keep it minimal. Once I’m in the city, I’ll find a proper bank ATM. It feels less convenient in the moment, but trust me, those “convenience” kiosks are anything but convenient when you see your bank statement later.
3. “Tourist Menus” at Restaurants
Venice was where I first noticed the “tourist menu” trick. I was starving after walking around all day and sat down at a restaurant right near Piazza San Marco. The waiter handed me a laminated menu with English translations and a set three-course “tourist special.” It looked decent enough, but the portions were tiny and the price was inflated compared to what locals were paying just a few blocks away.
After that, I started paying closer attention. If a restaurant doesn’t display its prices outside, I walk away. If every table is filled with tourists holding the exact same laminated menus, I take that as a sign. I’ve found that going just a couple of streets away from the main attractions usually means better food at more reasonable prices. And honestly, those quieter, tucked-away trattorias in Italy or tapas bars in Spain have ended up being some of my favorite meals of all time.
4. Souvenirs with Inflated Prices
Santorini made me laugh at myself. Fresh off a ferry, I wandered into the first gift shop I saw and bought a fridge magnet for €8. Later that afternoon, while strolling through the backstreets, I spotted the exact same magnet in another shop for €2. That was my “ah, so this is how they do it” moment.
Now I never buy something the first time I see it. Tourist-heavy streets, cruise ship ports, and spots right outside major attractions almost always have higher prices. If you walk a little further away, you’ll usually find the same items for much less. In places like Morocco or Turkey, haggling is also expected it felt uncomfortable at first, but once I realized it’s part of the culture, I leaned into it and actually had fun with it. Not every country is like that, though. In Japan, for example, prices are fixed, and haggling would just come off as rude. Knowing the local custom goes a long way in avoiding awkward (and expensive) situations.
5. Overpriced Guided Tours
London was where I learned that not all “skip-the-line” tours are worth it. I was so excited to see Buckingham Palace that I jumped on the first tour I found online. It promised VIP access, a private guide, and no waiting. In reality? It was a group of 30 of us, the guide rushed through everything, and the so-called VIP access turned out to be the same timed entry ticket I could have bought directly from the palace’s official site for half the price.
Ever since then, I’ve been much more cautious. Don’t get me wrong guided tours can be fantastic if you find a good one. I’ve had amazing walking tours in Barcelona and food tours in Bangkok that were worth every penny. But I’ve also realized that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These days, I compare prices across a few websites and always check if entry tickets are included. Nothing’s worse than paying extra for a tour and then realizing you still need to buy your own ticket on top of it.
6. ATM Withdrawal Fees That Add Up
Bali was the trip where I learned the ugly truth about ATM fees. I was pulling out small amounts of cash every other day from random standalone ATMs and thought nothing of it. By the end of my trip, my bank statement was a disaster local ATM fees stacked on top of my home bank’s foreign transaction fees, all for tiny $50 withdrawals.
It might sound boring, but now I always plan my cash withdrawals. I stick to ATMs that are physically attached to real banks, not the sketchy little ones glowing on the street corner. And instead of taking out small amounts constantly, I withdraw a bigger chunk at once and keep it safe in my hotel room, carrying only what I need for the day. It’s not glamorous advice, but it makes a massive difference when you add it up over a week-long trip.
7. Resort Fees Hidden in Hotel Bills
Las Vegas was the first time I felt blindsided by resort fees. I thought I’d scored a deal on a Strip hotel for $120 a night. When I checked out, my bill had ballooned to $165 a night thanks to “resort fees.” The kicker? They covered Wi-Fi, pool access, and gym facilities I never used. It felt sneaky, like the hotel had moved the goalposts after I’d already paid.
Now I always read the fine print before booking. Most big hotel booking sites let you toggle between “nightly rate” and “total cost” I go straight for the total cost to avoid surprises. Sometimes, once you factor in resort fees, that flashy-looking luxury hotel isn’t much of a deal at all. I’ve also started leaning toward boutique hotels or Airbnbs in places like Vegas and Miami, where resort fees are common. They often end up being better value, and you avoid the unpleasant surprise at checkout.
8. Travel Insurance Add-Ons You Don’t Need
I made this mistake in Madrid while renting a car. The agent tried to upsell me on extra insurance that sounded urgent and essential. In my flustered state, I almost agreed. Luckily, I remembered that my credit card already covered rental car insurance. If I had paid, I would’ve essentially been buying the same protection twice.
Travel insurance is important, no doubt about it. But I’ve learned to slow down and check what I already have before saying yes at the counter. Sometimes your credit card offers rental insurance, or you may already have health coverage abroad. That doesn’t mean you never need extra insurance it just means you should know what you’re paying for. I used to blindly agree to every add-on because I didn’t want to seem “cheap” while on vacation. Now I take a moment, double-check, and only say yes when it’s actually necessary.
9. Attraction Ticket Upsells
Barcelona was a classic case of me paying for something I didn’t need. At the entrance to the Sagrada Familia, I was offered a “premium ticket” that cost extra but supposedly included more. I assumed it meant better access or special entry. In reality, it was just the standard ticket with an overpriced audio guide.
Since then, I’ve gotten a lot smarter about tickets. I usually book online in advance through the official website, not random resellers. It’s cheaper, faster, and avoids the upsell pitches at the gate. And if I’m curious about add-ons like audio guides, I check reviews first to see if they’re worth it. Sometimes, they really do add value. Other times, they’re just another way to make you spend a few extra euros. The best tip I picked up is city passes, they often bundle attractions together at a much better price.
Conclusion
Getting overcharged on vacation doesn’t just drain your wallet, it can sour the joy of discovering a new place. I’ve been there: paying inflated taxi fares in Rome, losing money to terrible exchange rates in Paris, and wincing at hidden resort fees in Las Vegas. Each time, I promised myself I’d get a little smarter. And over time, I did.
The lesson I’ve learned is simple: travel is smoother when you slow down, double-check, and do a little homework. It doesn’t mean you have to be suspicious of everyone you meet, but being informed helps you say no when something doesn’t feel right. More importantly, it frees you up to spend your money where it counts on a meal that makes you smile, an adventure you’ll never forget, or that one splurge-worthy moment that becomes the highlight of your trip.
So the next time you travel, let these tips guide you. Think of them as your safety net, protecting you from unnecessary costs and keeping your trip stress-free. After all, the real joy of travel isn’t in haggling over bills it’s in collecting memories that stay with you long after your suitcase is unpacked.
