Bulging bar bill: is your holiday travel cheaper than your bar tab?

• Flights from London to Paris are cheaper than the average family’s holiday drinks bill
• France is most expensive place to enjoy a gin and tonic (£9.19)
• Portugal cheapest place to grab a pint (£2.65)
   

Due to booming bar prices abroad, a family of four can now travel to Europe for less than the cost of the beverages they will drink during their stay, according to new research1 by Direct Line Travel Insurance.
 

The study reveals that families holidaying in France will spend an average of £3072 on drinks, while flights from London to Paris cost as little as £2093. A gin and tonic will set travellers back a cool £9.19 when visiting our neighbours across the channel and as much as, £3.95 for a pint of Coke for the kids.
 

Perhaps more surprisingly Portugal is now the cheapest place to get a pint of beer (£2.65) and a Coke (£2.16) while the Netherlands is the best place to unwind with a large glass of wine (£3.90).
 

Table one: International bar charges for popular beverages

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2016
 

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line, said: “It’s quite astonishing to find that your holiday bar tab can now cost more than the ticket to get you there. As a family of four now spends an average £222.01 during a break away, remember to keep an eye on the bar bill so your relaxing holiday doesn’t end with a shock."

“It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of booking your summer holiday, as you look forward to a week or two of rest and relaxation, but it’s important to remember to buy your travel insurance from a reputable travel insurance provider as part of the booking process. You can then kick back and relax with a cold G&T or your tipple of choice, safe in the knowledge you are covered should anything unexpected happen.”

- ENDS-

  Notes to Editor
 

1  Phone research conducted among 389 hotels across France, Italy, Netherlands, USA, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Irish Republic and Greece.

2  Figure based on a family of four (two adults and two children) consuming the following beverages over the course of one week:

• 3 x pints of beer
• 3 x glasses of wine
• 14 x single measure spirits with mixer
• 12 x pints of coke
• 14 x 500ml bottles of water
   

   All alcoholic quantities based on the new Government alcohol guidelines for men and women of 14 units per week, with six pints of coke for each child and one litre of water per person per day.

3   Prices taken from Skyscanner on 04 August 2016. EasyJet flights for two adults and two children under 12 to travel between London Southend and Paris Charles De Gaule on 08 August 2016 – 22 August 2016.

4  Most travel insurers have exclusions relating to excessive alcohol consumption. Direct Line believe it is not reasonable for insurers to expect holidaymakers not to drink at all when on holiday. We therefore apply this exclusion in a reasonable and proportionate way, taking into account of the circumstances surrounding each individual case. Our policy wording states, under the general exclusions section and relating to deliberate harm and recklessness, that we won’t pay any claim made as a result of you drinking so much that your judgement is seriously affected.
 

For further information, please contact:

Claire Jarrett

PR Manager

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: claire.jarrett@directlinegroup.co.uk

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting