Parents reveal 10 ways to save money on holiday – after going £177 over budget last year

More than three-quarters of families are now taking steps to avoid holiday “rip-offs” after 72% got caught out on their last holiday abroad, a survey has found.

Some 77% of families are planning to take cost-cutting steps, Post Office Travel Money has found.

Buying water in bulk, drinking local beers and sightseeing on foot are among the most common ways people plan to cut back, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, charges and fees for paying on cards, food and drink prices on planes and the cost of attraction entry fees and organised excursions were among people’s biggest money gripes while on holiday.

The research found that seven in 10 families had blown their budget on their last trip abroad. On average, they had overspent by £177.

Andrew Brown, Post Office head of travel money, said: “Our research suggests most holidaymakers have learned from experience and are now taking more active steps to avoid busting their budgets by hundreds of pounds on trips abroad.

“The money saving measures that many of them are adopting will help to slash the high levels of overspending on food, drink, transport and sightseeing.”

Families’ top 10 gripes about spending while abroad

1. Charges and fees for paying on plastic

2. Food and drink prices on planes

3. Cost of attraction entry and organised excursions

4. Meal and drink prices in restaurants and bars

5. Compulsory service charges on meal bills

6. Transport costs

7. Waiters expecting tips in cash

8. Exchange rates at airports

9. Children’s beach extras, such as buckets and spades and ice-creams

10. Unexpected visa charges and tourist taxes

Most common money-saving measures for families

1. Buy large bottles of water or soft drinks in shops to avoid bar and cafe charges

2. Arrange own excursions rather than going on organised ones

3. Use buses instead of taxis

4. Sightsee on foot rather than by public transport

5. Take fruit and pastries from the breakfast buffet to eat during the day

6. Make a packed lunch to take on the plane

7. Drink local draught beers and carafe wine rather than international bottled brands

8. Use restaurants visited by locals rather than ones in tourist hotspot

9. Eat from fixed-price set menus

10. Buy a travel or sightseeing pass to reduce transport or attraction costs

Source Link:- https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/parents-reveal-10-ways-save-12911581