Brits reveal most expensive holiday mistakes from £30 Coca-Cola to £80 t-shirts
HOLIDAMAKERS have revealed some of the most expensive things they've bought by accident - in another country.
A poll of 2,000
travellers
found one had mistakenly stumped up £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in
Rome
, while another bought a t-shirt for £80 that they thought was £10.
Advertisement
Try out the clever Post Office quiz
Three in 10 felt they have often paid more for something on holiday because they were a tourist.
Other shocking expenses accidentally incurred by respondents included a single shot of whiskey ending up at £48.
While someone else forked out £25 for a taxi ride in Amsterdam – only to find themselves arriving at their destination after less than a mile.
The research, carried out by Post Office, showed
travellers
often suffer with currency confusion, as a fifth (21 per cent) admitted to getting confused about how much
money
is worth 'in pounds' when they go away.
Advertisement
Which leads to a quarter (26 per cent) paying more than expected for something.
Six in 10 correctly knew £5 sterling would get them between $6-$7 in the US, the remaining 40 per cent were clueless, with a quarter (24 per cent) of them guessing they'd get less than $6.
Probably the most common conversion for Brits –
euros
– also confused respondents, with almost a third (32 per cent) not knowing what £5 would get them.
Instead of the correct answer of €5-€6, 17 per cent thought it would be less than €5 and 13 per cent thought it would be as high as €8.
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
With nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) attempting to work out local currency rates in their own heads, it's no wonder things can go wrong.
While just over one in 20 (six per cent) will ask somebody nearby and then take their word for it, according to the
Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at
Post Office
, which commissioned the research to raise awareness of its
"We wanted to highlight how easily confusion around exchange rates can impact holiday budgets - no one wants to waste time abroad worrying about
money
.
Advertisement
"It's surprising that only 19 per cent of travellers use a prepaid travel card for their spending abroad when it can allow travellers to lock in a good rate before travelling."
The study found respondents are taking measures to stop them accidentally spending a fortune on holiday keepsakes – with 17 per cent relying on currency conversion apps.
And when it comes to money safety, they are taking measures to keep their money more secure while travelling – with 49 per cent using a separate card which is not linked to their main bank account for spending abroad – keeping their 'main funds' safe from fraudsters or thieves.
Laura Plunkett for Post Office, which has a Travel App which allows holidaymakers to check exchange rates and track spending in real time, added: 'Nothing disrupts a holiday like a financial mishap. Keeping your travel money separate from your main account is a smart move to give you greater control, clearer visibility of what you're spending, and an extra layer of protection – and something 96 per cent of respondents agreed was important.
Advertisement
'Whether you're budgeting carefully or just want to avoid mixing travel purchases with everyday costs, this small step can make a big difference to your trip.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Greece's second largest island that you won't have heard of has a new hotel – and you can walk to it from the mainland
THE second largest island in Greece is less than an hour from Athens - but most Brits wont have heard of it. Evia is split off from the mainland by only about 50 metres so visitors can cross the bridge from the mainland. 5 Evia is Greece's second largest island and is home to beautiful beaches Credit: Alamy 5 It also has a number of thermal springs Credit: Alamy The island is welcoming a One of the largest hotel investments in Evia is being developed in the Cheromylos area, including a The resort will span across 54-acres on the seaside and have a total of 71 rooms, seven bungalows with private pools, Only electric vehicles will be allowed within the hotel complex and at the front of the resort there will be around 200 metres of Read more on Greece Heading over one of the Two Bridges - the Old Bridge and the newer suspension bridge - travellers will find themselves in Chalkida, the capital of the island. Just 80km away from And here is where another destination is getting an upgrade. The Saint Minas Beach hotel is being upgraded to offer better services and facilities. Most read in News Travel Throughout the Chalkida there are pedestrian lined streets with quaint cafes and restaurants. Key landmarks include the Red House - a neoclassical building that features four clay statues. The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach 5 And it only takes an hour to get there from Athens Credit: Alamy The town hall also features stunning architecture. Visitors won't be short of choice when it comes to historical spots too with The Archeological Museum, the Roman Aqueduct, the Folk Art Museum and a range of breathtaking churches . Chalkida was even used as a filming location for Triangle of Sadness, which follows the story of a celebrity couple who are invited on a uber-luxury cruise captained by a questionable individual. Also on the island is Aidipsos - a famous resort which is capable of accommodating 40,000 tourists during the summer season. Here, travellers can relish in thermal spas that even Aristotle and Plutarch used to visit, according to Discover Greece. In fact, Aidipsos is home to more than 80 Sun-bathing fans are also spoilt for choice, with beaches including Aghios, Minas, Asteria, Rodies and Liani Ammos. 5 The capital of the island was even used as a filming location for movie Triangle of Sadness Credit: Alamy One particular beach - Alikes - is home to several And Kalamos Beach features azure blue waters, with one visitor commenting: "One of the most beautiful beaches on Evia". The same visitor said on Tripadvisor that there are some local tavernas close to the beach and also showers available. Alternatively, you could head to Armyrichi Beach, which one visitor said on Tripadvisor was "just magical". The visitor added: "The place [is] untouched by modernism. Both family and romantic couples the place is a must vacation stop." Prices across the island are pretty cheap as well, with a beer costing around €2.50 (£2.13) and medium glass of white wine costs around €3 (£2.56). It takes just under an hour to drive from Athens International Airport to Evia. Brits are also swapping busy Spain for these Plus, the restaurants that is loved by celebs. 5 And once on the island, prices are pretty cheap too Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations
WITH expensive costs and overcrowded attractions, thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for more affordable destinations in Africa. Recent research by TUI has seen a boom in demand for North African holidays . 3 North Africa is becoming a much popular destination with Brits Credit: Alamy 3 Morocco has reported record tourist numbers Credit: Alamy Morocco , Egypt and TUI's UK commercial director Chris Logan said that the reason for the demand was not because of the "fantastic value for money " compared to pricier places in Europe . He told PA: "There's good quality accommodation and great weather beyond the traditional summer season. "Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel." Read more on Africa And according to aviation analysts Cirium, nearly 20,000 flights are set to fly from London to North African destinations. This is up from around 8,600 back in 2019. Some of TUI's new routes include Stansted to Enfidha in Tunisia and from Holidays are extremely cheaply too - we found deals under £300 each when four-star hotels in Most read in News Travel This demand has also been backed by who said they had seen an increase in searches for summer holidays to Tunisia by 64 per cent compared to last year. Searches for Inside luxury camping bivouac under the dunes in Morocco's Sahara desert Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as Spain , France and Italy. Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at travel agency Barrhead Travel said north Africa was "a region to watch over the next few years". Other new Africa flights from the UK include easyJet's first route to Cape Verde from London Gatwick as well as flights to the And Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said there is a "clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning". She went on: "Ongoing cost of living pressures and squeezed disposable incomes have meant that while people remain committed to taking holidays, they're increasingly focused on maximising value for money. "This shift has driven growing popularity for destinations like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which offer more competitive pricing and high-quality accommodation options compared to the more traditional western Mediterranean resorts." The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor recently visited Our Head of Travel (Print) And our 3 Flights have also boomed - up 20,000 from 8,600 in five years Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm queen of cheap family holidays – here are five ways I save money at airports from ‘free' sunscreen to food cashback
GETTING through the airport without spending more than you've paid for your flights can be a bit of a challenge when you've got a young family. Here's my hacks for keeping costs down while not falling foul of security and airline restrictions. 3 You can get "free" suncream at the airport Credit: Getty Grab a 'free suncream' at the airport We all know suncream can cost a bomb abroad, but if you're only traveling with hand luggage, you might not be able to carry a big bottle with you. When I went through Stansted at Easter, the liquid allowance was still 100ml per bottle, although it's due to be lifted at some airports this month after new scanners were installed. But if you plan in advance, you could get a free suncream in the departure lounge once you're through the security checks. Before you travel, get the health or beauty items that can't go in your kerbside recycling collection, like electric toothbrush heads or toothpaste tubes. Read more on travel tips Take a quick snap of them and upload them to the app. Once they've been added, you can bag them up and drop them in the collection point at your nearest participating Boots, before scanning the QR code on the side of the box for a voucher to claim £5 worth of Advantage Card points when you spend £10. If you store up your points until you get through airport security, you can spend them on suncream at Boots airside. I got a bottle of Soltan at Stansted for £6.05, so you'll need more points than you get in one recycling transaction, but there's nothing to stop you doing it several times and getting lots of points on your card, ready to spend at the airport. It's also handy if you need liquids like Calpol or you've forgotten any essentials like toothpaste. Most read in News Travel Local drop-off prices or free Residents who live near Stansted Airport can pay a reduced charge at the express set down at the terminal of either 50p or £1 for up to 15 minutes, depending on whether they live within five miles or 10 miles. There are similar schemes at other regional airports like Edinburgh and Manchester, which means that if you live near an airport or have family and friends who do, you might be able to avoid paying for airport parking. Belfast Airport £100million upgrade We used the free drop-off and pick-up point in one of the long-term car parks, hopping on the shuttle bus to get us to and from the airport. Food on flight It's worth giving a bit of thought to what you're going to eat and drink while you're at the airport and on your flight, as grabbing a quick bite can end up costing a fair bit otherwise. I usually pack up a picnic of cut-price sarnies to dole out on the plane, but it would also be easy to bring a pot noodle and ask for some hot water from the cabin crew. For just 70p a pop at Aldi compared to easyJet or Norse Atlantic Airways prices of £4.50 per pot, my family of five would save almost £20 with this easy hack. We also like to bring reusable water pouches that pack flat and can be filled up once you're through security. There's a water tap just inside the Wetherspoons at Stansted so you don't even need to ask at the bar to top up your drinks bottles. 3 Most Wetherspoons pubs at the airport have a free tap you can use Credit: Getty Cashback cards If you want to eat something a bit more substantial before your flight, it's often the case that chains like Pizza Express exclude their airport branches from popular deals and discounts. But there is a way you can enjoy a meal while saving a bit of money , if you use cashback sites like Quidco. If you've got a bit of cashback saved up on your account, you can withdraw it in the form of an e-giftcard for various restaurants. Cashing out as a gift card rather than straight into your bank account might mean you'll get an extra amount on top of what you're withdrawing. You can get up to 15 per cent extra on some restaurant giftcards, so if you're cashing out £10, you'll end up with £11.50 to spend. It can take a few days for the gift card to arrive in your inbox, so you'll need to plan in advance of your travel date. Luggage which doubles up I'm not alone in suffering airport anxiety when it comes to making sure I don't fall foul of luggage restrictions. But there's a couple of little tricks you could use to help yourself out if you need just a bit more space for your holiday essentials. If you have a neck pillow that you use to sleep on your flight, you can take the inner cushion out and stuff the case with a rolled up towel or nightwear to save space in your bag. And if you're traveling with children, some airlines like easyJet allow you to check in extra equipment like booster seats free. My sons have a booster seat that doubles as a backpack, so we put toys or books in there to make the most of the extra space. You need to check what your airline says about checking in children's equipment before you try this though, as you don't want to end up paying extra once you arrive at the airport! If you give some of these tips a go, you could end up with a bit more money to enjoy yourself at your destination, instead of splashing the cash before you've even set off. 3 My tips can save you some unnecessary spending Credit: Alamy
