Top 15 ways holidaymakers are caught out financially – including excess baggage costs and data roaming charges

SKY-high cashpoint fees and hidden data roaming charges are the top ways Brits get stung financially on holiday, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults who have been abroad found more than half (53%) were surprised with money matters overseas.

Over half of holidaymakers have been surprised by financial matters when awayCredit: Getty

Another 28% have had an unexpected holiday fee hit them in the pocket while they were staycationing in the UK.

And in total, 45% of respondents are ‘dreading’ the reintroduction of roaming charges for holidaymakers in EU countries.

Sayed Hajamaideen, spokesperson for SMARTY Mobile, which commissioned the research, said: “People already spend large amounts of cash on holiday, but it certainly stings getting hit with unexpected charges.

“You can plan to the last Euro – or dollar, or rupee – but there are some things that can’t be legislated for.

“And when it comes to excess mobile bills, often you won’t see the damage until weeks after you get back, which can be even more annoying.”

In total, those who have been caught out financially on holiday estimate they’ve been forced to part with just under £200 per person on unexpected costs.

Top Brit travel destination lifts flight ban

Five surprising Spanish laws you could easily break on holiday

And this is despite spending just under four hours planning every possible circumstance to avoid these unnecessary fees.

Just under half (47%) of holidaymakers consider it ‘very important’ to pre-plan a holiday long in advance, to avoid surprises.

Other common financial issues to plague Brits abroad include needing to pay for extra baggage and trying – and failing – to haggle with a market trader.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found another one in five have helped themselves to something from the minibar, only to be left wide-eyed when they calculated its cost.

Most read in Money

Nearly a third (30%) have had to get on the phone to ring their bank while abroad to try and sort out a financial issue.

This left 32% with stress levels through the roof, 27% with their bank account locked – and 24% stranded without cash.

Sayed Hajamaideen added: “While everyone is feeling the pinch of the surging cost of living, SMARTY customers can be certain that they will never experience unwanted surprises on their mobile bills whether at home or abroad.

“We’re helping customers to navigate change by giving them control of their phone bill, with the power to flex their data plan depending on their needs.

“They will have one less money matter to worry about when they’re abroad in the EU as we’re staying true to our simple and honest values by not changing our EU policy.”