Planning your dream vacation is exciting, especially if you’re traveling by yourself for the first time. When you’re the one in control, you get to choose where to go, where to stay, and what to do during your trip.

Of course, financing your travels isn’t cheap, especially if you’re planning to spend your vacation in a foreign country. That’s why it’s important to save up before you travel. You can also take out a loan using a loan app Philippines’s digital lenders offer to cover your expenses.

Once you’ve hit your budget goal, you might think that you have enough money to cover your travel expenses. However, traveling isn’t a one-time, pay-all experience. There are several travel costs you need to take into account before, during, and after your trip. Not being aware of them can surprise you and affect your finances when you return home. Let’s take a look at five travel expenses you shouldn’t forget, so you can enjoy your solo vacation with peace of mind.

Travel Tax

Before you get on the plane, you need to make sure that you’ve paid the travel tax. This tax is imposed by the Philippine government to generate additional funds for tourism-related programs and projects. As of this writing, Filipinos have to pay Php 1620 for economy flights and Php 2700 for first class. Citizens who are exempted from this tax are infants 2 years old and below, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and Filipino permanent residents abroad who stay in the Philippines for less than one year. You only pay the travel tax if you’re traveling to a different country.

Terminal Fee

Unlike the travel tax, the terminal fee is charged to Filipinos who are taking domestic and international flights. This fee is to cover the costs of handling the cargo. Terminal fees are often included in the price of your ticket, so you usually don’t have to worry about it. However, depending on the airport you’ll be departing from, you might need to pay it at the terminal. Clark International Airport and Puerto Princesa International Airport require you to pay the terminal fee at their airports. The price of the terminal fee depends on the airport.

Currency Exchange Fees

It’s less of a hassle to exchange your pesos for foreign currency at a local bank or the airport before you fly. However, if you run out of cash during your trip, you might need to visit an exchange kiosk and have your money changed. When doing so, be prepared to pay a currency exchange fee. In most cases, kiosks charge a high currency exchange fee to make up for the poor exchange rate; there may also be hidden charges. Try to avoid having your money changed in these kiosks by preparing a detailed travel budget.

Foreign Transaction Fees

If you plan to pay for your food or shopping spree using your credit or debit card, you have to take foreign transaction fees into account. These fees are surcharges you have to pay when making credit or debit card transactions outside of the Philippines. The rates will depend on your bank; some will charge 1% while others may charge 3.50%. That’s why it’s a good idea to call your bank before your trip and ask them about their policies when it comes to their foreign transaction fees. This way, you can use your credit or debit card wisely when making purchases abroad.

Travel Insurance

Encountering an emergency while you’re in a different country isn’t only stressful, but it can also get really expensive. Paying for medical or emergency treatments out of pocket can put a dent in your travel finances, ultimately ruining your trip. Fortunately, with travel insurance, you don’t have to worry about covering the costs because your provider will help pay for damages and losses you encounter during your trip.

Some insurance companies in the Philippines even allow you to customize your policy to fit your needs. The types of benefits you can get from travel insurance include the following:

• Necessary medical expenses benefit
• Personal accident benefit
• Hospital confinement benefit
• Accidental burial benefit

Travel insurance isn’t only limited to medical and hospital expenses. You can also get travel insurance that covers the cost of financial loss due to inconvenient situations like non-refundable trip cancellations and travel delays.

When making solo travel plans, it’s easy to overlook the things that can send your travel budget into disarray. Even though you have enough cash saved and on hand, you still can’t say that you’re 100% ready to pay for emergency and unforeseen expenses. However, if you’re aware of the travel expenses mentioned above, you don’t have to worry so much about how much money you need to bring during your vacation. Because you’ll be financially prepared for them, you’ll also be less likely to spend more money whether you’re in the airport or exploring the sights.