I don’t know about you, but I have a list of travel expenses I never waste money on.

Even though I’m scared of flying, I have to travel a lot due to my work. Whether it’s a two-hour flight or a 10-hour one, there are a few travel expenses I hate spending money on. Don’t get me wrong, spending hours confined on a plane isn’t my cup of tea, and while certain things can make the time fly by, I don’t always choose convenience.

If you’re a frugal traveler like me, you’ll probably enjoy the things I’m about to share. You can get past a crazy long flight without spending too much cash or feeling hungry or stressed. Let’s not keep this intro any longer because we have many important things to talk about. So, without further ado, here are all the travel expenses I hate wasting money on:

1. In-flight meals

In case I have to stay on a 10-hour flight and the meal is covered in the ticket price, I will gladly take the meal they offer. The options are quite limited and the prices are generally to the roof, and you already know I don’t like being overcharged.

Therefore, I’ve learned to either skip overpriced foods on board for shorter flights or bring my own snacks for long-haul flights where food isn’t included in the ticket price. Even though airport food is already expensive, it’s still cheaper than what’s available on the plane.

If you want to save money for other travel expenses and ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, you can pack your own snacks in your carry-on luggage. This will help you save money while satisfying your cravings during the time up in the air.

I typically prefer to pack sandwiches, dried fruit, nuts, and homemade granola and protein bars. But as long as you don’t have liquids, you can bring pretty much anything onboard. Since many travelers are too lazy or stressed to pack their snacks beforehand, they end up wasting money on in-flight meals. I would much rather save the money for other travel expenses, such as treating myself to a gorgeous meal at the destination.

2. Checked bags

Checked luggage is another one of these crazy travel expenses I see many people squandering their money on. When traveling for an extended length of time, it’s easy to overpack, yet the majority of people don’t utilize half of what they bring and pay for baggage fees.

If you want to save money and still have enough items for your trip, get travel-size toiletries or bottles and pack a few clothing items that you can easily mix and match. It’s not only more affordable and practical, but it also prevents you from purchasing pointless items or expensive trinkets when visiting other countries.

Experts say you can use a packing cube to save even more and bring several things on board without having to shell out a fortune for checked baggage. This item is lightweight and easy to carry, and it seems like a wise investment, in my opinion. If you need something like this, check it out here!

3. Transportation

Let’s continue with these travel expenses because another thing people tend to spend a lot of money on when traveling is transportation. While a cab can be more comfortable, it can make a hole in your budget. To avoid this from happening, I recommend you choose a bus instead of other forms of transportation once you reach your destination.

Some cities are so cute and small that taking a bus from the airport downtown is around 7x cheaper than a taxi or Uber. They tend to have tight schedules and don’t take a lot of time to take you from point A to point B. Even though it might take a while to plan and see what the best route for your needs and location is, you’ll save a lot of money.

4. Items from in-flight catalogs

If you’re like me, you probably love to shop for different things, especially when you have such a large offer at your fingertips. While flight attendants might tell you that you can save a ton of money if you purchase perfume and cosmetics on board, it’s typically not true.

Even though a deal might seem great, don’t forget that you can find the same thing online for much cheaper. If it’s hard for you to say no to something you want after seeing an offer, it might be best to say no to the catalog in the first place.

…Which one of these travel expenses do you think costs the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

5. Expensive fares

As you can see, I have a few travel expenses I prefer not to splurge on, but I always find more affordable ways to get what I want. One of my go-to strategies is avoiding pricey tickets on busier days. Consider making flexible reservations—traveling on less busy dates can save you a lot, especially if you’re heading home and don’t need to worry about lodging.

6. Water

Some experts say you can take a water bottle with you and get water at the airport. Sitting too much in an airplane can make you dehydrated and dizzy, so it’s important to drink your fluids. After you pass security, it’s easy to fill up your bottle at a fountain or when you’re onboard the plane. While you can ask the flight attendant to fill up your water bottle, I don’t recommend this because the filters aren’t as clean as they should be.

To ensure you stay away from germs and bacteria, it’s always a smart idea to only drink bottled water. However, I know in-flight H2O tends to be pretty expensive, so you can save a bit by purchasing water at the airport, just before you reach the gate.

7. Flying business class

Reservations in business or first class seem like a fantasy. More legroom, broader seats, and exceptional food and service. Who doesn’t want to be treated like royalty? Well, although it’s a fantastic dream, the price will quickly add on, and you have lots of travel expenses to take care of anyway.

Speaking of that, unless you take a VERY lengthy flight, flying business class isn’t a budget-friendly move. Give up and take a regular seat. The savings are significant even though the seats might not be as fashionable and comfortable. Even though those warm cookies seem delicious and you have enough cash to purchase a preferred seat near the front of the plane, why not use it on something else when you get there?

8. Airport parking

Ideally, you can count on a friend or relative to drive you to the airport. If you’re going to be away for some time, it might even be less expensive to hail a cab than to leave your car parked there. Trust me, the parking at the airport is crazy expensive, and it’s not worth it! I don’t know about you, but it drives me crazy to waste money on parking when I’ve already paid plenty for the flight.

However, if you choose to leave your car at the airport, you won’t be able to negotiate the price. I recommend you take a train, bus, or cab, or ask a friend to drop you off and pick you up. It will be a lot more affordable, and you can always return the favor!

Do you know any other travel expenses that can mess with someone’s budget? Let’s chat in the comments, and if you have any tips, let us know! If you find this article helpful and would like to check out something else from Brainy Savings, here’s another amazing post for you: 5 Everyday Things That Aren’t Free Anymore