Uncover the Shocking Truth: 22 Tourist Scams You’ll Wish You Knew Before Your Next Trip
Ever get that knot in your stomach when you realize you just walked right into a tourist trap? Oh, the soul-crushing moment when you think you found a charming local spot, only to get hit with a bill that’s more shocking than your airport’s baggage fees. Been there—done that—and let me tell you, it’s a buzzkill for any traveler’s vibe. But what if we flipped the script? What if you could spot those sneaky red flags before they suck you dry, leaving you wondering if your wallet has a secret black hole? Turns out, a casual question tossed onto Reddit unleashed a treasure trove of travel wisdom from seasoned globetrotters who’ve danced with every kind of tourist scam imaginable. From Iceland’s airport eateries to the bustling streets of Barcelona, insiders share their golden rules for sidestepping local hustles and savoring the real deal. Ready to travel smarter, laugh a little, and keep your cash intact? Buckle up—we’re diving into the art of dodging the traps and making every trip authentically awesome. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/gzo2da/worldtravelerswhataresomeoftheworst/” target=”blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>LEARN MORE
Nothing turns a trip sour more immediately than getting into a tourist trap. Trust me, been there, experienced that.
But hey, what if we all learn to detect those very suspicious red flags and be ahead of whoever it is that’s trying to rip us off, putting our vulnerable vacationing selves to their advantage?
So when someone asked the dear world travelers of Reddit to share “some of the worst tourist traps you have encountered?” and “what can be done to catch it beforehand?” they unknowingly did everyone a public service. After all, we all deserve an enjoyable and authentic experience abroad, without being used by greedy locals.
Sounds counterintuitive but when you go to Iceland, pick an airport restaurant and have a decent meal there, and stock up at the duty free shop. Don’t just sprint for the airport exit – Iceland will still be there in an hour.
Most people are in such a rush to get out of the airport they don’t consider that the international terminal is their final chance to dodge Iceland’s impressively high tax on prepared foods and alcohol. The airport in Reykjavik has some pretty good food, and there’s no tax in the international terminal.
As a general rule, avoid restaurants that are right near very popular tourist attractions (the Eiffel Tower, Sagrada Familia, the Colosseum). These places are probably there to lure in tourists who don’t know any better. There are some exceptions of hidden gems in touristy areas but unless you’ve done your research ahead of time, avoid these spots.
If you’re wondering whether a restaurant in Italy is authentic or a tourist trap, look at the opening hours. Legitimate Italian restaurants that cater to locals will open for dinner no earlier than 7 p.m., while tourist traps will stay open all day. There are obviously some exceptions but this works as a good rule of thumb.
At the pyramids in Egypt, people with fake badges will tell you that you are required to pay them extra to see the Sphinx. It’s included with your park ticket.
Bring your own refillable water bottle.
Especially when travelling, but even just everyday, you’ll save a ton of $.
Fiji.
Walking along the street and friendly locals will greet you with “bula vinaka” (hello) and beautiful smiles. Every now and then one will start a conversation with you and ask you for your name. Before you know it, they are carving your name into ‘traditional’ wooden spears and shields etc then asking you for money for the work you never asked for. They will look upset when you tell them you don’t want it and they will explain that now they can’t sell the item because they carved your name into it already and they will follow you down the street reducing their price until you finally agree.
Best advice: be friendly, say hello, don’t give anyone your name.
This is for Paris. Great city. Couple of tips.
The Louvre. There’s excellent art in L’Orangerie and the Musée D’Orsay, just a short walk away, without having two hundred tourists as part of the same tour group walking 40 abreast like a wall of humanity up the corridors. My recommendation is to make sure you have the Museum Pass (you can buy them online and have them shipped to you before you even head out) so you can enter museums when you like. Preferably later in the day when they’re all doing something else like trying to fit 200 people into a small café. If it’s too crowded, hit the next point of interest and come back another time. People pick the Louvre because it’s popular, which makes it more popular, which makes people pick it more…
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