BILL TYSON: Seven holiday HACKS to avoid the all-too-common sneaky fees and hidden charges – and to keep the cash flowing wherever you and your family jet off to this summer!
So you’re all set for your summer holidays.
You’ve lost a few pounds, got your tan started and dug out that old straw hat from the attic. And you can’t wait to lounge on the beach with a good book.
But don’t get into beach-napping mode just yet!
Use our guide to keep the money flowing on your summer holiday
You still have to get there (and back).
And that means navigating the stressful, tricky and often needlessly expensive parts of the holiday – such as pricey snacks, Ryanair’s byzantine baggage rules and how to splash out money abroad.
Here’s how to avoid the worst rip offs with our top holiday hacks.
DONE ROAMIN’
Gone are the days when you had to lock up your phone when travelling abroad in fear of heinous roaming charges – at least within the EU.
You can call and text from EU destinations just like you do at home, thanks to EU legislation. However, that means the limits that apply at home still apply abroad.
Most providers limit data usage. And this is very important if you want to make the most of your holiday – or even just find your way around the place as we’ve all become very dependent on Google Maps.
If you exceed the cap within the EU, there are further limits on what providers can charge you:
• 3.2 cents per minute of voice call made (plus VAT);
• 1 cent per text message (plus VAT);
• €4.50 per gigabyte (GB) of data (plus VAT).
While these calls and texts charges won’t break the bank, data bills can add up even at just €4.50 a GB. ‘Consider changing to a SIM-only plan with a generous data package for roaming if you’re concerned about breaching your limit,’ Switcher advises.
Switcher particularly recommends eir’s connect-30 Day plan, which provides ‘a generous 32GB of data while roaming in the EU’.
Outside the EU, all bets are off regarding data usage and horror stories abound of tourists getting stung with bills for thousands of euros. Switcher recommends getting the eir SIM-free plan for going further afield too.
‘If you intend to travel or call outside the EU, you can upgrade your plan and get 200 international minutes and texts and 50GB data to use in the EU,’ it says.
WHAT A CARRY ON!
Airlines (led by Ryanair) make up for very low fares by charging high fees for luggage.
In fact, many people find it costs more to transport their luggage than themselves!
The first thing to do is be aware of luggage limits so you don’t get caught out at the airport and hit with hefty extra charges. (See table to the right).
These simple hacks will ensure you’re spending money on yourselves and nothing else
Some people (including yours truly) pack everything they need for short trips into one cabin bag. You can always wash clothes when you get to your destination you know! Pooling luggage allowances with other passengers within your booking group is another handy tip – and even Ryanair allows it.
The airline’s website advises: ‘If you have two 20kg check-in bags (40kg total) on your booking, one of those bags could weigh 15kg while the other weighs 25kg. However, no bag can weigh more than 32kg.’
PARKING PERK
Competition has landed among Dublin airports’ pricey car parks with the opening of Park2Travel last year.
It’s up to 20% cheaper than other car parks, according to a 2025 survey by the CCPC.
Readers can avail of a further 20% saving on these rates by using the code P2THOLIDAY when booking parking there (expires tomorrow).
AVOID EHIC-CUPS!
A European Health Insurance Card entitles you to the same public treatment as any local citizen in an EU country. It’s free and you can apply via the HSE website.
USE DIGITAL DOSH
The cheapest way to spend money abroad is through digital banks like Revolut, N26 or Bunq. And it’s worth setting up an account just so you can do so. Just put the virtual card on your phone – or use the real one.
Another option is a travel money card from currency specialist Wise. Virtual cards on your phone are free but you pay €7 for a plastic one.
Currency transfer costs are low at €4.58 in fees for changing €1000 into dollars, for example, with a competitive exchange rate.
If you need actual money – it comes in handy – watch out for fees, commission and the dreaded ‘spread’.
Traders buy and sell and currencies at different rates in order to make money.
The gap between the ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ rate is known as the ‘spread’ – and it can add up.
For example, An Post advertises that it doesn’t charge commission – but it makes up for it with a hefty ‘spread.’ The official dollar rate on the money markets this week (with no spread) was $1.15 for every euro. An Post’s rate was $1.11 for each euro.
Meanwhile, Wise’s rate was $1.144, although it also charges a fee, which then balances things out in the end.
GET A SENIORS DISCOUNT – AT 59!
Some EU countries have travel discounts for seniors – and you don’t have to be that old to qualify. For example, travellers over 59 can purchase a Tarjeta Dorada (Gold Card) for €6 and get 25% to 40% off regular ticket prices on state-operated (Renfe) trains in Spain.
BOOK BEFORE YOU GO!
Tours to popular attractions like the Louvre are often booked months in advance, while you may miss out on must-see local attractions if you don’t do your research before travelling. So it pays to book in advance.
Consult TripAdvisor to find the best places to go – and check out local tourist boards for free activities and cheap passes.
Websites such as Attraction Tickets Direct offer huge discounts for booking in advance and offer real tickets, so you can avoid queuing for tickets at your destination. However, beware of booking scams, which are rife as Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes it very easy to replicate websites. Now you’re all set for your holiday. Enjoy!
