The Costly Blunders Tourists Make Abroad

Holidaymakers have revealed some of the most expensive purchases they've unwittingly made whilst on their travels. A poll of 2,000 globetrotters found that nearly a third felt they were often overcharged for goods due to being tourists.

Currency Confusion
One unfortunate traveller forked out £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in Rome, while another unsuspectingly splashed out £80 on a T-shirt, thinking it was only £10. Other unexpected costs reported by participants included coughing up an eye-watering £48 for a single shot of whiskey. Another individual paid £25 for a taxi journey in Amsterdam, only to find out their destination was less than a mile away.

The research, carried out by the Post Office, suggested that holidaymakers often grapple with 'currency confusion' - getting mixed up about the value of money 'in pounds' when abroad. This has led to a quarter of people paying more than they expected for an item. The most common currency conversion for Brits, changing to euros, also left respondents puzzled, with almost a third unsure of how much £5 would be in Euros. Furthermore, 40 per cent were clueless about the exchange rate for dollars.

Financial Planning Tips
According to the study, four in ten attempt to work out local currency rates in their heads, while 6 per cent will ask a nearby person and then take their word for it. Laura Plunkett, the head of travel money at Post Office, said: "Our research reveals many travellers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currencies on the go, and that can lead to overspending."

The study was commissioned to promote the Post Office'sTravel Money Card, as well as their Travel App which allows holidaymakers to check exchange rates and monitor spending in real time. "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," Laura expressed.

In contrast, nearly half of the travellers prefer to use a separate card not linked to their main bank account when spending overseas, aiming to protect their principal money from thieves. Laura went on to say: "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." She added: "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."