Parents reveal 10 ways to save money while on holiday

More than three-quarters of families are now taking steps to avoid holiday "rip-offs" after 72% got caught out on their last holiday abroad, a survey has found.

Some 77% of families are planning to take cost-cutting steps, Post Office Travel Money has found.

Buying water in bulk, drinking local beers and sightseeing on foot are among the most common ways people plan to cut back, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, charges and fees for paying on cards, food and drink prices on planes and the cost of attraction entry fees and organised excursions were among people’s biggest money gripes while on holiday.

The research found that seven in 10 families had blown their budget on their last trip abroad. On average, they had overspent by £177.

Andrew Brown, Post Office head of travel money, said: "Our research suggests most holidaymakers have learned from experience and are now taking more active steps to avoid busting their budgets by hundreds of pounds on trips abroad.

"The money saving measures that many of them are adopting will help to slash the high levels of overspending on food, drink, transport and sightseeing."

Families’ top 10 gripes about spending while abroad

Charges and fees for paying on plastic

Food and drink prices on planes

Cost of attraction entry and organised excursions

Meal and drink prices in restaurants and bars

Compulsory service charges on meal bills

Transport costs

Waiters expecting tips in cash

Exchange rates at airports

Children’s beach extras, such as buckets and spades and ice-creams

Unexpected visa charges and tourist taxes

Most common money-saving measures for families

Buy large bottles of water or soft drinks in shops to avoid bar and cafe charges

Arrange own excursions rather than going on organised ones

Use buses instead of taxis

Sightsee on foot rather than by public transport

Take fruit and pastries from the breakfast buffet to eat during the day

Make a packed lunch to take on the plane

Drink local draught beers and carafe wine rather than international bottled brands

Use restaurants visited by locals rather than ones in tourist hotspot

Eat from fixed-price set menus

Buy a travel or sightseeing pass to reduce transport or attraction costs

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