What to do when making multiple trips to avoid unnecessary travel expenses
Travelling through three countries in just ten days is an exciting way to experience more cultures, cuisines, and attractions in a short time. However, keeping track of your money while moving between countries can be tricky if you don’t have a clear plan.
It’s easy to get distracted and spend more than you planned, which might leave you with less money to do the things you wanted to do during the trip. If you’re planning a quick trip that covers multiple countries, here’s how to do it.
Simple strategies to help you stay in control from your first destination to your last.
Crossing multiple borders in a matter of days means that your finances have to keep pace with you. Each time you enter a new country, you may deal with a new currency, different prices, and changing exchange rates. Even something as simple as buying a meal or paying for public transportation can be different from one country to another. These small expenses can add up quickly when you’re visiting multiple places.
That’s why it’s important to prepare your finances before you start your trip. Before you book your flight, here are some helpful tips worth considering:
1. Plan your budget for each destination, not the entire trip.
One mistake you can make is setting one overall budget for all countries. Here is the problem: every country costs differently. For example, if you’re spending three days in France, three in the Netherlands, and four in the Czech Republic, the same daily amount won’t stretch the same way in all three regions.
Accommodation, transport, dining, and everyday expenses differ significantly from one destination to the next. Instead of splitting your budget equally, find out how much it costs to stay in each location. Research the cost of accommodation, local transport, meals, attractions, and even small purchases in each country before setting your budget.
2. Pre-book major travel expenses before you leave.
The more countries you visit in a short time, the more you’ll spend on travel. Flights, trains, buses, and hotels often take up most of your budget, and these prices can go up if you wait until the last minute. To avoid this, book these big expenses early on.
Not only does this help you get better prices, but it also gives you a clearer idea of how much money you’ll need each day. Once transport and accommodation are paid for, you can focus on enjoying each destination instead of worrying about finding more cash to make up for late booking.
3. Use a multi-currency travel card for everyday spending.
If you’re visiting several countries, carrying large amounts of cash isn’t practical. A multi-currency travel card or an international debit or credit card with low or no transaction fees is a good option. Before you travel, compare your options carefully, as some cards allow you to hold multiple currencies, while others automatically convert payments at competitive exchange rates. Choosing the right card helps avoid unexpected charges.
4. Notify your bank before you travel.
Imagine arriving at your second destination, trying to pay for dinner or withdraw cash, only to have your card declined because your bank thinks it’s stolen. This happens more often than you’d expect.
Before you leave, let your bank and credit card provider know your travel dates and the countries you’ll be visiting. This simple step helps prevent your transactions from being flagged as suspicious and stops your account from being temporarily blocked while you’re abroad.
5. Avoid unnecessary currency conversion fees.
Imagine paying for dinner with your card, and the payment terminal asks whether you’d like to pay in your home currency or the local currency. Choosing your home currency may seem more familiar, but it often means accepting a less favourable exchange rate through Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
This is one of the easiest ways to lose money without even realising it. Whenever you can, always choose to pay in the local currency. Additionally, before you travel, also check if your bank charges extra fees for foreign transactions.
6. Keep your travel money in more than one place.
Unforeseen circumstances happen, and that shouldn’t ruin the rest of your trip. Avoid carrying all your cash and every payment card together. Keep one card in your wallet for everyday spending and store another securely in your hotel safe or a separate bag. It’s also a good idea to keep a small amount of emergency cash somewhere else apart from your main wallet.
If one payment method becomes unavailable, you’ll still have another way to pay without spending hours trying to solve the problem in an unfamiliar country. Additionally, set aside an emergency fund before your trip and resist the temptation to dip into it for upgrades. If nothing goes wrong, that’s even better; you’ll return home with it.
7. Use digital payments whenever possible.
Using digital payments makes it easier to move between countries. They’re faster and more secure than carrying large amounts of cash and make it easier to keep track of where your money goes.
That said, don’t assume every destination accepts digital payments everywhere. Local markets, small cafés, or family-run shops may still prefer cash. Research your destinations before you travel so you know when digital payments work and when you’ll need some cash on hand.
8. Get local cash from ATMs when you need it.
Some vendors and small businesses may accept cash, while other businesses, depending on the destination, may reject cash for digital payments. Learning this early can save you from some of the money mistakes travellers often overlook, especially on their first trip abroad.
When you do need cash, rather than exchanging large sums at airport currency exchange counters, withdraw a small amount from a trusted bank ATM. You’ll usually get a more competitive exchange rate from bank ATMs than from independent ones. As you move from one country to the next, repeat the same approach.
9. Have a reliable way to send, receive, or convert money while abroad.
During your trip, you may need to handle a couple of international transfers, either to convert currency or receive and send funds. Instead of scrambling to find expensive transfer services in a country you’re unfamiliar with, make those arrangements before you travel.
Cross-border payment options like CadRemit give you a simple way to send, receive, and convert money across supported countries. Having such a payment option ready before you leave means one less thing to worry about when plans change unexpectedly.
10. Track your spending every day.
Spend a couple of minutes each evening reviewing what you’ve spent during the day. Keeping track of your spending is no doubt challenging when you’re paying in different currencies throughout the trip. So instead of relying on memory, use a budgeting app or your mobile banking app to monitor your expenses.
Many apps automatically convert transactions into your home currency, making it easier to see where your money is going. If you’re travelling with friends or family, a shared expense tracker also helps everyone keep tabs on shared costs and settle up fairly before the trip ends.
Travelling through multiple countries in a short time is indeed a unique experience. A little preparation here, thoughtful budgeting there, and smart money decisions, and you stay in control of your finances from the moment you leave until you return home. So wherever your next adventure takes you, whether it’s one destination or three, let these tips be your guide to making the most of your trip.
