5 Mistakes to avoid if you don’t want to go over budget on vacation

3 de July, 2025

Vacations are an eagerly awaited period, but they can quickly become costly if there is no discipline. Since it’s a time when people want to be more relaxed and at ease, they often fall into the temptation to improvise and loosen their grip on their personal finances.

However, the more conscious and organized you are when it comes to managing your vacation budget, the fewer unpleasant surprises you’ll have and the better your overall experience will be – before and after your vacation.

Discover with us some of the mistakes you should avoid if you don’t want to go over budget on your next vacation.

1 – Not setting a vacation budget

This is one of the most common mistakes people make when they go on vacation. If you don’t have a budget for what you can spend, you may well spend more than you can afford.

Before you go on vacation, make a list of foreseeable expenses: travel, accommodation, food, tickets to attractions, museums or shows, souvenirs, and so on. Set aside part of your budget for unexpected costs or small emergencies.

If you have a more realistic and tangible idea of the costs associated with your vacation, it will be easier to stick to that budget and you’ll be less prone to impulsive spending.

2 – Not researching the cost of living in your destination

Whether you’re going on vacation to another city or another country, it’s very important to do some research beforehand into the cost of living there.

Many people overlook this aspect when planning their trips and, when they arrive at their destinations, end up being surprised by the price of transport, meals and food, among other things. This lack of knowledge can lead to higher than expected costs.

If you’re going abroad, don’t forget to check the exchange rate to get an idea of the prices in euros.

3 – Booking your vacation at short notice

If you need to book flights and accommodation, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible. Particularly in high season, and when considering popular destinations, demand increases and therefore prices tend to rise.

As such, the best way to guarantee more affordable prices is to book a few months in advance.

4 – Not monitoring daily expenses

As well as setting an overall budget for your vacation, it can also be important to set a limit for your daily spending. At the same time, it’s good practice to keep a record of all the expenses you incur during the day.

It can be in an app, a spreadsheet or a notebook. Regardless of the method you choose, the important thing is that you record it. That way, you’ll have a more concrete and immediate idea of your spending and you’ll be able to see whether or not it’s in line with your budget.

5 – Not having travel insurance

Travel insurance is usually at the bottom of people’s list of priorities when they go on vacation. When the costs of a trip are already high, it tends to be seen as secondary or unnecessary.

However, more than a cost, travel insurance is an investment in your safety. Losing your passport, losing your luggage, being mugged or having an accident are just some of the unforeseen events that can happen when you’re on vacation. That’s why having travel insurance with these types of cover is essential for peace of mind and to avoid the costs – often huge – associated with these situations.

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