Save Money by Steering Clear of These 7 Tourist Traps

Vacations are a precious time for everyone. Whether going for a city break or a week away, you want to make the most of your downtime. Unfortunately, travelers often follow the crowd when it comes to where to visit. We think that when something is popular, that's ultimately the best option. But these cities, towns, and attractions are often tourist traps. They're typically more expensive, busier, and aren't guaranteed to be all that exciting! And afterward, you might kick yourself for spending so much on something subpar!

Below, you'll find several tourist traps you should think twice about before visiting. While there's nothing wrong with visiting them, you could have a much better, cheaper time abroad by choosing something else to see!

The London Eye Ferris Wheel in London, England

With over 3.5 million visitors yearly, you might think the London Eye is one of the city's best attractions. Unfortunately, you shouldn't believe the hype. The Ferris wheel ride costs up to £30 per person and lasts just 30 minutes. Hardly enough time to take in the length and breadth of London.

Moreover, the London Eye is located on the South Bank of the River Thames. This is where the London Aquarium, London Dungeons, and Jubilee Gardens are. The result? Tourists will be found at every corner. Instead, why not wander to the city's many free lookouts? You can see all of London from the sky, with no time limit!

The Mona Lisa in Paris, France

As one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Mona Lisa is a must-see attraction in Paris. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, it attracts over 10 million tourists to the Louvre Museum annually.

The crowds surrounding the painting make catching a clear view of the Mona Lisa feel like an epic battle. And after waiting hours in line, tourists may feel underwhelmed. That's because the painting is tiny, measuring just 30 x 21 inches. 

The Mona Lisa is also protected behind a sheet of glass, making it difficult to take pictures without glare. So, instead of waiting for the best part of a day for a closer look, why not use your time more wisely? The Louvre is home to countless other priceless artifacts—with no queues to contend with!

Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland

Ireland is famous for its fun and lively pub scene. And no doubt, when you arrive in the capital city of Dublin, you'll be thirsty to experience this unique culture. But be careful following the crowds.

Tour agencies often hail Temple Bar as the epicenter of Dublin's nightlife. While it has beautiful, quaint cobblestones and plenty of bars, it is too crowded and expensive to recommend staying too long.

Its popularity has turned the entire quarter into a tourist meetup. Locals rarely can be found in the bars, instead opting for side-street venues.

If you're in Dublin and want to experience the "craic" of an Irish pub, wander through local neighborhoods. Take Smithfield as an example. Described by Lonely Planet as "one of the coolest neighborhoods" in the world, it has plenty of traditional pubs that are far superior!

Dubrovnik in Croatia

There's no denying that Croatia is a stunning country. Nestled on the Adriatic Sea, it has everything you might want in an exciting sun holiday. Beautiful beaches? Check. Gorgeous weather? Check. Ruins and old towns to explore? Check.

However, the rise of Game of Thrones has led many tourists to think there's only one place worth visiting—Dubrovnik. While it will please many fans of the hit show, the city has received a surge in popularity. The result? You can expect huge crowds and prices when visiting!

Croatia has many overlooked towns and cities offering a near-exact experience. Moreover, you'll pay a fraction of the cost and have fewer tourists. Some prime locations include Zadar on the Dalmatian Coast and Pula in the north. Both have picturesque landscapes, historic ruins, and quieter streets to explore!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is said to attract over 5 million tourists each year. And everyone goes for one thing—a funny photograph holding the tower up! While there's nothing wrong with taking a classic souvenir photograph, wouldn't you prefer something more unique for your trip to Italy?

The tower can be seen as a tourist trap because it can distract visitors from Tuscany's other travel opportunities. There are endless vineyards and wineries, ancient hill towns, and hiking trails waiting to be explored!

High roaming charges

Sometimes, the biggest tourist traps aren't where you travel to—but how you travel. This is especially true when it comes to using your smartphone when abroad.

Often, travelers think the only option to use their device and connect to the internet is through expensive roaming packages. These offer poor service, with strict usage policies, at a premium rate. You're effectively paying more for less.

Remember that there's a new way to avoid costly phone bills—eSIMs. An eSIM is already embedded within modern smartphones, so it requires no installation. Best of all, it is very straightforward to set up and use. Simply download an eSIM app, pick out a suitable package, and activate it before your trip.

This technology also offers unmatched coverage. No matter what region of a country you're visiting, you'll enjoy access to the best local networks available. Taking a trip to see Italy? An eSIM in Italy grants you seamless connectivity across the entire country, from the northern city of Venice right to the tip of Sicily.

Currency exchange rates

When traveling abroad, travelers can be hit without another trap—exchange rates. This is when businesses offer poor rates and high fees to transfer your money into the local tender.

Avoid using exchange services in tourist hotspots like airports. These services offer unfair rates to complement travelers. Instead, exchange your money at a bank, credit union, or online bureau before your trip. These services offer competitive rates that will help you stretch your budget further!

Don't get trapped as a tourist

The idea of a tourist trap is subjective. Sometimes, you might really just want to see the Mona Lisa—and that's all there is to it! And that's OK!

But it's important to consider that there might be similar (or even better!) experiences close to you. These can help bring your trip to the next level, making your time abroad more unique.

That said, there are some tourist traps you will want to avoid at all costs. You can skip paying costly roaming charges by taking out an eSIM plan or save on currency exchange by simply doing some research.