A recent study by Opinium for Multitrip.com has found that two-thirds of UK holidaymakers experience unexpected costs whilst travelling abroad.

The research highlights that 66% of UK adults who travel overseas at least once a year are caught off guard by expenses such as Wi-Fi fees, tourist taxes, and currency exchange charges.

The survey identified the most common unexpected costs, with one in five travellers incurring charges for Wi-Fi or data roaming, tourist taxes, and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Other notable expenses include airline seat reservation fees (17%), tipping and local service charges (15%), and overseas card transaction fees (15%).

Christian Bennett from Multitrip.com advises travellers to conduct a few minutes of research before travelling to avoid these unexpected costs. "Holiday costs don't stop at flights and accommodation," he said. "Checking local taxes, baggage fees, card charges, and parking costs can make budgeting easier and avoid unwanted surprises."

The study also emphasises the importance of factoring in additional costs such as tourist taxes, which vary across Europe, and a new EU travel charge set to be introduced in late 2026. This mandatory online permit, known as the ETIAS travel authorisation, will cost $21.20 (€20) and cover multiple trips over three years.

Bennett further highlighted the significance of travel insurance, stating, "Travel insurance provides a financial safety net for medical emergencies, cancellation, lost baggage, and travel disruption." Multitrip.com offers various policies, with annual European travel insurance starting from $21.20 (£19.99) and worldwide cover from $47.40 (£44.68)

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