How to overcome unexpected costs while travelling

As we started our 7-hour Journey to Zagora I looked up in the sky and got lost and memorized on how breathtaking the stars were. Even though family and friends think I’m living the life and travelling the world. I can tell you this; it’s not a walk in the park. Within every trip, I’ve gone on through financial, emotional, physical, spiritual and mental distress. No matter how much you may plan things out, the universe finds a way to change for the better or worse. Most times it’s for the best, but you realize some situations are a lesson learned. I have always been blessed enough to make it out safe and sound. I thought this post would be mostly about moments I encountered during the preparations and arrivals of both Spain and Morocco.

 

First reality shock I experienced was the exchange rate. The Canadian dollar for the longest time has suffered even when the CAD was stronger than the USD. But when it comes to the Euro, be prepared to spend a good amount if not accustomed to spending in Europe. For example, $300 CAD is roughly 210 Euros. *Cue in sad violin playing * ideally if you managed to pay for the major expenses (flight, accommodations, etc.), then you should be fine.

 

However good ole unexpected fees always tend to surface such as:

• Taking a taxi instead of walking ~only applies to Spain~. In the city of Barcelona a bus fare is 15 euros (3.10 CAD) or 4.5 euros (6.48 CAD, if going to the airport) *Toronto this is the only time I won’t complain about the fare*. The taxi fare starts at 2.80 euros (4.03 CAD) when we were feeling exhausted (perhaps lazy or pressured with time) we would use the taxi and it happened to be cheaper. By day 3 or 4 we realized that we could have mostly walked everywhere. IF IT WASN’T RAINING…

 

• Eating out luxurious instead of affordable. I will be totally honest; half of my expenses had gone to food. I was on the hunt to have tapas, paellas, and any Spanish cuisines that were appealing. But when the belly speaks to you, you’ll take anything, cheap or expensive, *as long as it’s tasty * After having meals that came up to 15 euros for each person we started to be more cost-efficient, going to grocery store and buying food to make sandwiches. I must say, I managed to find some lovely wine or cider for less than 2 euros (2.88 CAD) in the grocery store. Yup no need to buy wine while eating out! In Morocco, so far we’ve been eating home cooked meals and managed to spend $13 for the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner (getting better). We also settled on buying meals that we could share together. For some reason, we had the most bread or pizza in Morocco than in Europe. The most memorable night was when we went to a butcher shop and got a pound of turkey for 50 Dirhams (6.50 CAD)…to me it was a steal!!

• Tipping for everything ~only applies to Morocco~. I totally get it, everyone is hustling and trying to survive and as a traveller, they think we have money or rich. *oh if they only knew* so from taxi driver to camel rider even a gentleman walking with us to “help” us find or hostel will ask for a little tip. I suggest if you’re a generous person, to have a budget for tipping. Be careful with giving big tips and especially giving it at the very beginning of your trip, you’re guaranteed to be strapped for cash later on. Beware of giving money to children when you give one, much more will come and ask you for some. **Disclaimer. I have no problem giving money, but if I don’t have it, I can’t give it. **

• Gifts and souvenirs. Normally if I there is something that catches my eyes, I will purchase for certain individuals. The two easiest people are my parents; they love to collect spoons and coke bottles so I manage to get those for them. I hope my family and friends understand that this trip was a souvenir-less trip. However postcards are normally affordable or even a nice shot glass, if you can haggle nicely you can get a real deal. I was able to get quite a deal on a Moroccan djellaba and pendant that is good luck (I had to purchase a djellaba due to not bringing warm clothing).

• Excursions and/or activities. Most of all of my trips I’ve had excursions or activities. From hop on/hop off bus tours to something adventurous example: glamping and sand boarding. I suggest doing a hop on/hop off, preferably on a warm day and go around once and THEN on the second round come off or the next day you know the areas you would love to revisit if time isn’t an issue. Budget these ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry. Try to make a list of things you would love to do. TREAT YO SELF (at least once on your trip).

Those unexpected costs can add up and can affect your travels, so be wise, and try to pay as much as you can before the trip. Embrace the opportunity you have to travel and always be humble, the universe will protect you according to plan.

I would love to hear your experiences you have during travelling, do you go all out? do you stay frugal? Share a story or two.