When I first started traveling, I thought I was too savvy to fall for scams. Then one afternoon in Barcelona, a man slipped a flyer under my coffee cup and walked off with my phone before I even noticed. That moment taught me something important: even seasoned travelers need to stay sharp.
In 2025, scams haven’t disappeared, they’ve just evolved. From sneaky currency conversions to fake ticket sellers, travelers are still easy targets if they aren’t prepared. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the tourist scams I’ve personally come across or seen others fall for, plus the tricks I use to avoid them so you can focus on enjoying your trip, not stressing about being cheated.
Currency Conversion Price Hikes
This is one of those scams that doesn’t feel like a scam until you check your bank statement later. I remember sitting at a café in Prague, happily sipping coffee and people-watching, when the waiter brought over the little card reader. He smiled and asked, “Would you like to pay in euros?” It sounded convenient no mental math, no conversion. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that by saying yes, I was essentially agreeing to a terrible exchange rate that cost me a few extra euros for a simple coffee and croissant. It wasn’t much in that moment, but over a week of meals, snacks, and museum tickets, it added up quickly.
The trick is called dynamic currency conversion, and it’s surprisingly common in Europe and Asia. Vendors and restaurants offer to charge you in your home currency, but the rate they use can be 5–10% higher than what your bank would normally give you. They pocket the difference, and you walk away thinking you’ve made life easier on yourself.
These days, I always make sure to select “pay in local currency” when the option comes up. If the waiter or cashier tries to insist otherwise, I politely ask them to switch it back. I also keep a simple currency app on my phone XE is my go-to so I can quickly check if a price looks off. When I was in Japan, I even carried a tiny handwritten cheat sheet in my wallet with rough conversions (like ¥1,000 = about $7 at the time). It helped me catch myself before overpaying for things like train tickets or snacks at convenience stores.
It’s not about being overly suspicious, it’s about being prepared. Once you know this trick, you start spotting it everywhere. And honestly, avoiding it feels like a small victory every time.
Car Rental Overcharges & Upsells
Renting a car should feel like freedom you pick up the keys, hit the road, and explore at your own pace. But the rental counter is often where that freedom starts slipping away. I still remember landing in Florence, tired from the flight, and walking straight into what felt like a sales pitch marathon. The agent flipped through pages of extras: full coverage insurance (even though the EU already requires basic coverage), a pricey GPS unit I didn’t need, a “convenient” prepaid fuel plan, and a mileage upgrade. The pressure was intense, and I could see other travelers ahead of me giving in just to get the keys faster.
The worst part? Many of these add-ons double the price of your rental without giving you much in return. The prepaid fuel plan, for example, meant paying for a full tank whether or not I used it. And the GPS fee felt silly when I had offline maps downloaded on my phone for free.
Now, whenever I rent, I book through trusted platforms and read the fine print before I even leave home. I always choose “full-to-full” fuel policies, where you pick up and return the car with a full tank it’s the fairest option. And before I even get to the counter, I remind myself that I don’t have to say yes to every suggestion. If I need extra coverage, I arrange it through my credit card or a third-party provider in advance. That way, I’m not making rushed decisions after a long flight.
It feels good to walk away with just the car and the keys, knowing I’ve dodged a trap that catches so many people.
Pickpocketing Distractions
Pickpockets are the oldest scam in the book, and yet they’re still shockingly effective. In Barcelona, my own phone disappeared from under my nose when a man placed a flyer on my café table. By the time he walked away, the flyer and my phone were gone. It happened so fast that I couldn’t even believe it at first.
These scams work because they play on distraction. I’ve seen kids hand out “free” bracelets in Rome, slipping them onto tourists’ wrists while another person circles behind to grab a wallet. In Paris, I watched a group of women surround a tourist with a petition board, asking for signatures while one of them unzipped his backpack. It’s easy to think you’d notice, but when you’re caught off guard, it only takes a few seconds.
I’ve learned to keep my phone off the table, no matter how relaxed the café feels. I carry a small crossbody bag that zips shut, and I wear it across the front of my body in crowds. If anyone approaches me with papers, bracelets, or overly friendly chatter, I smile, shake my head, and step back. It feels rude sometimes, but it’s far less rude than having your passport stolen.
What surprises me most is how many of these incidents happen in broad daylight, right in front of famous attractions. Staying alert doesn’t mean being paranoid it just means being mindful of your space and your stuff. And once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.
Fake or Overpriced Tickets
If you’ve ever stood outside the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower, you’ve probably noticed them: people hovering with tickets in hand, promising “skip the line” entry. Sometimes these tickets are real, but they’re sold at a steep markup. Other times, they’re complete fakes, and tourists only find out when they get turned away at the gate.
I nearly fell for this in Rome. I’d forgotten to book tickets in advance, and the line for the Colosseum looked endless under the summer sun. A man approached me with “official” tickets, waving them like a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory. The price was double what I’d seen online. For a split second, I considered it but then I remembered how many warnings I’d read about this exact scam. I stuck with the official ticket line, and while I lost some time, I didn’t lose money or peace of mind.
Now, I always book tickets online through official websites weeks (sometimes months) before my trip. It’s not just about avoiding scams it’s also about making sure I can actually get in. Popular spots like the Vatican or the Louvre often sell out fast. If I miss out, I only buy directly at the official ticket counter or through a trusted tour company that includes entry. It takes a little planning, but it saves a lot of stress.
Fake Listings & Unlicensed Rentals
This scam hits hardest because it ruins more than just your wallet it can ruin your entire trip. A friend of mine booked a gorgeous Parisian apartment on a shady website that looked legitimate enough. She arrived, suitcase in hand, to find that the building didn’t even exist. She spent the first two days of her trip scrambling to find a last-minute hotel and fighting to get her money back.
Even when listings are real, there’s another issue: unlicensed rentals. Some cities, like New York and Barcelona, have cracked down on Airbnbs without official permits. You might think you’re staying somewhere perfectly fine, but if local inspectors knock on the door, it could end in fines or eviction.
When I book now, I stick to trusted platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, and I always check the reviews carefully. If a listing has only a handful of glowing five-star reviews, I get suspicious it could be fake. I also look for license or registration numbers in cities that require them, and I never wire money or pay outside the platform.
Sure, the safest option is sometimes a little more expensive, but I’d rather spend an extra $50 knowing I’ll have a real bed waiting for me than gamble on a deal that ends with me stranded on the street.
Conclusion
Scams are frustrating, but they don’t have to define your travels. Once you know the tricks, you start spotting them a mile away. For me, staying cautious has become second nature, and honestly, it hasn’t taken away from the joy of traveling it’s enhanced it. I spend less time worrying and more time soaking up the places I’ve dreamed of visiting.
At the end of the day, traveling is about connection, discovery, and experience. Protecting yourself from scams is just one way to make sure those experiences are the ones you remember, not the mishaps.
If you’re planning your next trip, check out my guides on 13 money traps to avoid when traveling and forgotten travel essentials so you’re ready for anything.
