Don’t Get Caught Out on Holiday: 10 Costly Travel Mistakes to Avoid

It’s summer and we’re off to somewhere new.

Or maybe, somewhere we know well.

A chance to relax.

Exhale.

Put our guard down.

Become a little more human.

A little more human… a little more trusting… and then.

That’s when it happens.

It only takes a moment. A distraction. A friendly stranger. A snap decision that didn’t feel like a decision at all.

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Travel opens us up in the best ways but sometimes, it leaves us exposed to the worst.

Here are 10 ways tourists get caught out on holiday and how to sidestep the pitfalls before they happen:

1. The Pickpocket Play

Busy square. A jostle. A 'bump.'

Guard down; phone and wallet, gone.

It happens in bustling markets, packed streets and public transport all over the world.

It nearly happened to me once on a train in Rome. A quick bump, a hand down my dress' pocket. I was lucky that time, but many aren’t.

Keep your bag zipped, your valuables close and stay alert when crowds gather.

2. The 'Helpful' Stranger

Someone offers directions. Help with your bag. A friendly chat. A little conversation later, you’re separated from your group; or your belongings. Trust your instincts. Smile, but stay sharp.

3. The Taxi Trap

No meter. No price upfront. No idea where you’re going. Then an hour-long 'shortcut' with a fare triple what it should be. Always use official taxis, rideshare apps, or agree the price before you step inside.

4. The 'Free' Gift

A flower pressed into your hand. A bracelet tied onto your wrist.

You smile, they smile, then comes the demand for money.

In some rare cases, these items have been laced with substances to make you light-headed or confused making it easier for thieves to strike.

Say no firmly, keep walking, and never accept anything you didn’t ask for.

5. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Tour (or Guide)

A charming guide appears, offers a private tour or secret spot 'only locals know.' It ends with you overpaying for something you didn’t even want. Book tours and guides through reputable sources like Viator* where you can check reviews and pricing in advance.

6. The Currency Con

A 'helpful' money changer. A dodgy exchange rate. Hidden fees. Always use official currency exchanges or ATMs. Better yet, stick to trusted cards.

7. The ATM Helper

Struggling with a foreign ATM? Someone offers to 'help.' Distraction leads to card skimming or pin watching. Never let strangers near you while using a cashpoint.

8. The Unwatched Drink

A moment of inattention. A spiked drink. Never leave your drink unattended—anywhere. Ever.

9. The Overpriced Market Game

A stallholder hands you something 'just to look.' Suddenly, you’re haggling for your freedom or paying ten times the value. If you’re not buying, don’t engage. And when you do, haggle with humour but know the real price.

10. The Snap Decision

That quad bike. That camel ride. That boat trip. Say yes too quickly and it can turn sour, unsafe or massively overpriced. Pause. Ask around. Check reviews. And before any activity, make sure you’re covered—here’s why travel insurance matters*.

Holidays are for joy, for breathing, for wonder. But staying safe—staying smart—means you’ll come home with stories worth telling, not regrets to forget.

Have you ever had a close call? Been caught out on holiday?

Share your experience in the comments or drop me a message. I’d love to hear your stories.