Families feel ‘ripped off’ by overseas holiday costs
Two-thirds of families felt “ripped off” on their last trip abroad, with the cost of making card payments the biggest annoyance for British holidaymakers.
Travellers can be hit with extra charges of around 2.7 per cent for each card transaction while abroad, as well as fees at cash machines.
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Research by Post Office Travel Money found three in ten families felt the cost of entry to attractions and excursions was too expensive, as 50 per cent of parents admitted to spending £50 to visit a fun park on their last holiday.
Forking out for restaurant service charges and the cost of eating in restaurants and bars also ranked highly on a list of travellers’ gripes.
One in five of those surveyed said resort food and drink prices were a rip-off, with families spending on average more than £336 on meals and drinks.
Meanwhile, three-quarters of families said they spent an extra £159 on top of their planned budget during their last trip.
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Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Past experience shows that families planning beach holidays abroad will need to keep a tight rein on their holiday funds to avoid busting the budget.
“Paying for beach extras can easily tip the budget into the red so it’s important to plan carefully and keep costs down by packing swimming goggles, buckets and spades and last year’s lilo into the suitcase. That should help pay for ice creams.”