The villa revealed some of the most expensive things that I accidentally bought during my vacation abroad. A survey of 2,000 tourists revealed that the third person is a tourist and therefore believes they were charged more for the items during their holidays.
One holiday maker unconsciously fired £30 with a glass of Rome's Coca-Cola, but another holiday was shocked to find a t-shirt he believed the cost of £10 actually returned £80.
Other shocking costs reported by travelers included an astounding £48 in a single shot of whiskey. Another traveler paid £25 in a taxi in Amsterdam, but was dropped off within a mile of the pickup point.
The survey conducted by the Post Office highlighted the general issue of “currency turmoil” among travelers. This misunderstands the value of foreign currency related to the pound. This led to a quarter of respondents paying more than expected for products and services.
The most frequent currency conversions of Britons, from the pound to the euro, also proved to be bewildering for participants. Additionally, 40% acknowledged that they were uncertain about the dollar exchange rate.
According to data collected by OnePoll.com, four in ten people try to calculate their local currency rates for their heads, but 6% ask someone nearby and accept the words.
Laura Plunkett, the Post Office's Travel Funding Director, commented: “Our research reveals that many travelers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currency on the go, which can lead to overexpenditure.”
The survey was asked to promote post office travel money cards. A travel app has also been promoted, allowing travelers to check exchange rates and monitor spending in real time.
“We wanted to highlight how easily the exchange rate confusion can affect holiday budgets. No one wants to waste time abroad worrying about money,” Laura said.
“It's amazing how travelers use prepaid travel cards for their spending abroad when travelers can lock at a good rate before they travel.”
When it comes to money safety, many people take steps to keep their money safe while traveling. 49% use separate cards that are not linked to their main bank accounts to keep their “main funds” safe from scammers and burglars.
Laura added: “There's nothing to confuse holidays like financial accidents. Separating your travel money from your main account is a wise move as you have greater control, clearer visibility of what you use, and an extra layer of protection — and 96% of agreed respondents are important.
“Whether you're budgeting carefully or want to avoid mixing travel purchases with everyday costs, this small step can make a huge difference to your trip.”
