Your next trip is planned and everything’s covered — the flight is booked, the hotel is reserved, and you’ve budgeted for meals and activities. But if you think that’s the end of your spending, think again. From ground transportation to comfortable walking shoes to the correct identification, here are some frequently overlooked travel costs you should keep in mind.

Layovers

Layovers can be a sneaky expense when it comes to your budget — the longer you’re en route, the more money you’re likely to spend. Even a short layover could result in costs you may have forgotten to budget for, like buying a meal in between flights, purchasing a book to stay entertained, or paying for Wi-Fi. 

Then, there’s always the possibility of a delay or cancellation, which forces you to spend money on food, water, and sometimes overnight accommodations. These costs can add up quickly, especially since airports are notoriously pricey. It may be a better idea to book the nonstop option if it’s not considerably more expensive.

Beverages

You might have budgeted for food, but have you thought about morning coffees, afternoon matchas, and evening cocktails? They all add up over the course of the week. If you’re traveling internationally, bottled water may need to be tallied on the daily expenses, too, depending on whether the tap water is safe to drink.

Ground Transportation

You might breathe a sigh of relief when your flight is finally booked — after all, airfare certainly eats up a big chunk of the travel budget. But that’s not the end of your transportation costs; there’s also traveling to and from the airport, plus the price of rental cars, public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares. Don’t forget to factor in sightseeing tours, the cost of gas, and adequate insurance coverage, too.

Travel Wardrobe

Traveling often means encountering different climates and environments, and your everyday wardrobe might not be up to the task. First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure your footwear is appropriate for your destination. A good pair of waterproof walking shoes is essential — after racking up thousands of steps each day, you’ll be glad you made the investment. Your preparation should also extend to other wardrobe items, including specialty gear, evening wear, and clothes that generally travel well, all of which can add on to the budget.

Plane Comfort

Sure, you saved money on that basic-economy ticket, but now you have to pay for it in a different way — 11 long hours in a cramped middle seat. For savvy international travelers, preparing for a long plane ride is a sport in and of itself, with certain items making traveling thousands of miles over the ocean more palatable. Noise-canceling headphones, a reusable water bottle, snacks, a neck pillow, and comfortable travel clothes are a few of the items worth your while — as long as you’re willing to make the investment.

Pet and Home Care

When you leave your furry friends behind, you need to know they’re cared for — and that comes at a price. Boarding dogs in a kennel can cost anywhere between $30 and $75 dollars a night, while in-home pet sitting can exceed $100 a day. These costs can rise during holidays, a popular time to travel, and depending on the number of animals you have. Even if you don’t have animals, you may benefit from home care while you’re away. If you don’t know a neighbor who can water the plants, collect the mail, or check in on the pipes, you may need to hire someone.

Fees

These days, there are hidden fees everywhere you look, especially when it comes to travel. Airlines charge you for where you sit and what you bring, TSA levies a fee for going through security (built into the cost of your plane ticket), airport vendors charge way more than street prices, and car rental companies bill you for fuel service and cleaning. Fees are also added to your lodging, your ATM withdrawal, currency conversions, and sometimes even your restaurant bill. 

While it may be difficult to get a sense of exactly how much you’ll end up paying in fees, we suggest you leave a comfortable cushion in your budget for these extras and make sure to read the fine print. And speaking of extras, don’t forget to leave room for gratuities, either — tips for bartenders and servers, housekeeping, taxi drivers, and bellhops can add up over the course of your trip.

Luggage

In addition to raising checked baggage fees, airlines are getting stricter when it comes to baggage size policies, which means your go-to luggage may no longer cut it. Many budget airlines, like Ryanair, are known for rigorously enforcing carry-on size limits, while Spirit and Frontier also carefully monitor the size of your personal item. If you’re forced to gate-check, it could come at an unexpected cost of $65 or more. Some international carriers, like Lufthansa, may weigh your carry-on and force you to check it if it’s too heavy.

Before you leave, research your flight carrier’s requirements to ensure your luggage is the correct size; otherwise, you’ll need to create extra room in the budget to buy a new bag or check your current one.

Identification

As of May 2025, travelers are required to have a REAL ID to board a domestic flight within the United States if they don’t already have a passport or another acceptable form of identification. If you don’t have time to get a REAL ID before your next trip, the TSA recently introduced a new option — pay $45 for an identity check that’s good for a 10-day travel period, and you can still board a plane (for a price).

Traveling internationally? Make sure your passport is good for at least six months after your return date — otherwise, you may not be allowed to enter the country you’re visiting, and you could find yourself paying considerably more for an expedited or emergency renewal.