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Half-term holiday: there’s still time to save on those forgotten essential extras

Paloma Kubiak
Written By:
Paloma Kubiak
Posted:
Updated:
13/02/2017

With half-term this week or next depending on where you live, families up and down the country will be heading off on holiday. If you’re sticking to a budget, make sure you factor in these holiday extras.

Families heading abroad this half-term may have a budget in mind, but many will be hit with unexpected costs they may not have factored in.

According to a survey of 2,000 people by travel money site, Travelex, the average Brit budgets £1,694 for their holiday but overspends by £205.

Here are five of the top items that fall out of budgets which you may need to consider for your holiday:

Pet care costs

Whether you decide to keep your pet in a kennel or have a friend come round to look after it, the average Brit said they blew their budget by £37.22 on pet care costs.

Travelex suggests picking up travel insurance that also covers pet care. This way, if your return trip is delayed, some packages will cover an extra day in the kennels.

Airport parking

While 82% of those surveyed remembered to include travel to the airport in their holiday budget, 43% forgot about airport parking charges and overspent by an average of £35.32.

Holidaymakers should book in advance to get the best deals – you can use a comparison site to find the best price, right up to the day of travel.

Airport transfers

Going abroad isn’t just about the cost of a flight. You also need to consider how you’ll reach your final destination and back from the airport. With the average airport transfer costing an extra £36.36 more than people had budgeted for, it’s best to arrange onward travel before you arrive at the airport.

Taxis may have a fixed fee for popular destinations, but it’s best to check the price before you enter the cab. Some hotels do airport transfers if requested so you should contact the venue to see if you can save.

Tourist tax

Whether you need to pay on arrival, at the hotel or upon departure, some countries have a tourist tax. The Travelex poll revealed that 60% of those surveyed didn’t plan for tourist taxes and were stung by an average of £36.48.

It’s best to search online for tourist tax fees at your destination to see how much you may need to pay.

Travel essentials

Sun cream, painkillers and bug spray are all essentials, but with Brits underestimating their cost by an average £24.83, they can leave a small dent in your holiday budget. Holidaymakers should visit NHS website Fit for Travel to see the latest health recommendations for your destination to help you budget on medication and prescriptions ahead of your holiday.