The FOREX Guide to Hidden Travel Expenses helps you as a traveler to understand where in the world you encounter unexpected or hidden fees and why the bill will be higher than expected. From tips, local tourist and accommodation taxes, service fees and surcharges to cash requirements and more – so you can plan your currency exchange and how much cash you should have with you, and avoid unnecessary surprises.
Each destination receives a score between 0 and 100, where the higher the score, the greater the risk that you as a traveler will have to pay more than you expected or need cash for unexpected situations.
Interpretation of levels:
0-20 - Almost no surprises (everything is clear and transparent)
21-50 - Smaller, predictable fees
51-75 - Common additional costs - requires planning
76-100 - Many or high hidden costs - requires good cash preparedness
The guide is based on five factors that are weighed together:
|
Destination |
Point |
Most common hidden cost |
FOREX informs |
|
96 |
Gratuities and additional taxes |
Prices are shown excl. tax, hotel tax – add 18-20% tip to bill |
|
|
94 |
Gratuities and additional taxes |
Prices are shown excl. tax, hotel tax – add 18-20% tip to bill |
|
|
91 |
Service charges & tourist tax |
A 10–15% surcharge is common – already in hotels and restaurants. |
|
|
88 |
Small "service fees" everywhere |
Carry small notes for tips for guides, bag carriers and toilets. |
|
|
85 |
Hotel tax + service charge |
Tourist tax 4–10 €/night, often in cash. |
|
|
82 |
Tourist tax & gratuities |
Taxes around 20–30 MAD/night, often in cash. |
|
|
80 |
Cash payment & activity fees |
Have cash for markets, boat rides, and massages. |
|
|
78 |
Cash Only Markets |
Cash is needed for street food, tuk-tuks and shopping. |
|
|
77 |
Tourist tax & gratuities |
Visitor tax approx. USD 20 per person and 10–15% tip |
|
|
76 |
Tips & Cash Fees |
Resorts often prefer cash for extra services. |
|
|
74 |
Tourist Fee + Cash Markets |
Tourist tax IDR 150,000/person; often online but cash is required locally. |
|
|
70 |
Service fee 10–15% + VAT |
Check the receipt – service may already be included. |
|
|
68 |
Tourist tax 12.5% + cruise fee |
Often paid at check-out; sometimes in cash. |
|
|
67 |
Tourist tax & cash payment |
Restaurants and taxis often take cash. |
|
|
66 |
10% service + 9% goods and services tax |
Expect ~20% extra on the total. |
|
|
64 |
Tourist tax and card fees |
Tourist tax per night is usually paid in cash. |
|
|
62 |
Service fees + gratuities |
Service is sometimes included – but a tip of 5–10% is appreciated. |
|
|
61 |
Service fee + gratuity |
Same as Paris – small tips are the norm. |
|
|
59 |
Tourist tax and cash tips |
Tip 5-10%, some places only take cash. |
|
|
58 |
Tourist tax + daily fee |
Check if the visit fee applies to your dates. |
|
|
56 |
City tax 7.5% on hotels |
Often paid at check-out. |
|
|
54 |
Tipping at restaurants & taxis |
10% tip is standard – cash is appreciated. |
|
|
52 |
Tourist tax + gratuity |
Approximately 50 CZK/night; 10% tip at tourist resorts. |
|
|
51 |
Tourist tax and small gratuities |
Tax per night + 5-10% tip. |
|
|
48 |
Tourist tax and service charges |
4 EUR/person per night, "Cover charges" may apply. |
|
|
48 |
Cash-based purchases |
Many shops, markets and taxis only take cash. |
|
|
47 |
Card fees & service surcharges |
Some small shops charge a card fee – have cash. |
|
|
38 |
Occupancy tax 3–4% |
Small supplement per night, often included in the price. |
|
|
35 |
Restaurant service fee |
"Service charge" is often already on the bill. |
|
|
22 |
No tourist taxes, but high prices |
Cards are accepted everywhere. |
|
|
10 |
Almost no hidden costs |
No tips, no service fees – full transparency. However, prices are slightly higher specifically for tourists. |
Most surprising: USA, Dubai, Egypt and Italy – high levels of tips, service surcharges and tourist taxes make the trip more expensive than expected.
Intermediate mode: Southern Europe (Greece, Spain), Turkey and Thailand – small fees and cash payments are common but predictable.
Most transparent: Japan, Iceland and Northern Europe – clear prices and rarely any additional costs.
Many popular holiday destinations have small but recurring extra charges such as tourist taxes, gratuities or service surcharges. It is rarely a matter of large sums – but together they become noticeable in the travel budget. Always have some cash in local currency on arrival for safety.
FOREX Tips
