Holidaymakers have revealed some of the most expensive things they have bought by accident whilst on holiday abroad. A survey of 2,000 travellers revealed that a third believe they have been charged more for items while on holiday because they were a tourist.
One holidaymaker unwittingly shelled out £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in Rome, while another was shocked to find a T-shirt they believed cost £10 actually set them back £80.
Other shocking expenses reported by travellers included a staggering £48 for a single shot of whiskey. Another traveller paid £25 for a taxi ride in Amsterdam, only to be dropped off less than a mile from their pick-up point.
The study, conducted by the Post Office, highlighted the common issue of ‘currency confusion’ amongst travellers – misunderstanding the value of foreign currency in relation to pounds. This has resulted in a quarter of respondents paying more than anticipated for goods or services.
The most frequent currency conversion for Brits, from pounds to euros, also proved perplexing for participants, with nearly a third unsure how much £5 would equate to in Euros when converted. Furthermore, 40% admitted to being uncertain about the exchange rate for dollars.
According to the data gathered by OnePoll.com, four in ten will try to calculate local currency rates in their head, while 6% rely on asking a nearby person and then take their word for it.
Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, commented: “Our research reveals many travellers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currencies on the go, and that can lead to overspending.”
The research was commissioned to promote the Post Office’s Travel Money Card, as well as their Travel App which allows holidaymakers to check exchange rates and monitor spending in real time.
“We wanted to highlight how easily confusion around exchange rates can impact holiday budgets – no one wants to waste time abroad worrying about money,” said Laura.
“It’s surprising that only 19% of travellers use a prepaid travel card for their spending abroad when it can allow travellers to lock in a good rate before travelling.”
When it comes to money safety, many are taking measures to keep their money more secure while travelling – with 49% 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 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% of respondents agreed was important.
“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.”