Fears that Greece will be forced out of the euro have unnerved holidaymakers more than once since the global financial crisis hit in 2008. But if an emergency summit tomorrow fails to fix the crisis, this time it could be the real deal. Here's what to do if you are heading for the country this summer - and how to Grexit-proof your finances even if you stay at home.
'I buy excess insurance online and it covers me if I lock the car keys in the boot': Don't let the car hire fees scupper your skiing break
Car hire excess insurance is the bugbear of many holidaymakers, who are often forced into buying the policy at the rental desk through fear of facing a high bill following an accident. Excess charges have been rising steadily over the past few years. Drivers hiring in Turin, for example, can expect to pay up to £1,800 towards the bill if they do not have insurance to cover it. Mark Bower has claimed twice for accidentally locking his keys in his hire car boot on a ski trip, something not covered automatically by most car hire firms' basic excess policies.
'Insurers treat us like old fogies who might drop off the twig at any moment': Growing numbers of pensioners grounded by travel cover costs that DOUBLE
Since Pat and John Lynam retired six years ago they have been spending the British winters in South Africa. But, every October, the break becomes ever more expensive because of the startling rises in their travel insurance. Pat, 66, and John, 68, have seen the cost of their policy increase by 50 per cent this year to £313 through specialist insurer Rias, which is owned by Ageas. Yet the only thing that has changed since their last visit is that they are both one year older. ...read
After some affordable winter sun? North African destinations are offering the cheapest holiday spends...
Holiday-makers looking for a bargain this winter should head to North Africa while those with more cash to splash should stick to the South of France, according to figures published today. A meal for two in Tunisia comes out at £10.32, while a glass of Coca Cola is just 39p. One 30-minute taxi ride only costs £1.72. In comparison, Transport for London estimates that the average cost of a 16 to 30 minute taxi ride in London will cost anything from £15 to £22.
How much is too much booze? How travel insurers are rejecting claims from holidaymakers who have had 'a drink or two'
Insurers appear to be using alcohol consumption as a reason not to pay out even when there is little evidence that inebriation contributed to the accident. There are also cases where insurers jump to conclusions about what happened - for example they assume that a customer was drunk because of their age or because they were staying at a resort known for its party culture.
How to avoid a gap-year disaster: How to prepare you kids for their travels
The prospect of your teenager travelling the globe will naturally fill many parents with fear. This is Money has come up with some top tips to pass on to your adventure hunters to help avoid any gap-year disasters from setting a budget they can stick to to ensuring they call home. ...read
TOP CARDS FOR USE ABROAD
NO FEES ON FOREIGN PURCHASES
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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
- Why a three-hour flight delay could now get you £500: How to claim compensation
- Currency exchange: Latest tourist rates Tourist rates updated daily, with predictions on where next for the pound. Cheap currency is also available.
- Going on holiday? Best debit and credit cards to help you avoid overseas fees
- Free currency exchange card Readers can get a FREE FairFX card, accessing better excha<x>nge rates and dodging expensive bank ch<x>arges abroad
- This is Money's top tools to keep your holiday costs low Sick of getting lost in foreign cities or overspending while abroad? Six of the best holiday apps
- Travel insurance: How to get the cheapest cover Our tables list THE best deals on travel insurance and allow you compare the small print
- How to get travel insurance if you're suffering from a serious illness ...and why you musn't just rely on EHIC
Latest from Holidays
- Think a late holiday flight means compensation? Think again! Dirty tricks airlines use to fight you when you're DELAYED
- Mixed bag for sterling: British travellers to Russia and Brazil benefit from strong pound while US and China prove expensive options
- 'I buy my own excess cover in advance and take my own satnav': How to save on car hire costs
- Heading off to Greece? Then take cash... and plenty of it! Arm yourself with he best cash and card options to cut holiday risks
- Too busy having fun to go to the post office on holiday? How to send a 'selfie' postcard... with no stamp required
- British families enjoy their cheapest summer holiday in years as the pound soars against the euro and Turkish Lira
- Tourists heading to Greece being told to pack all spending money they need - but if your cash gets stolen on holiday you may not be covered
- Fancy a luxury break this summer? Here's how to play the game and knock down the price of your holiday
- How to survive your Greek holiday - bring as much cash as possible
GUIDES & TOOLS TO HELP YOU SAVE ON HOLIDAYS
ESSENTIAL HOLIDAY GUIDES
- Airline and holiday failure: Your rights
- Five tips to save money during the holidays and still have a great time
- How to get cheap flights
- Best debit and credit cards to help you avoid overseas fees
- Top tips and apps to avoid a data roaming bill headache
- Six of the best apps to save you money on holiday
- How to stay safe and legal while abroad
- Found a cheaper flight? How to get your airline to pay YOU the difference
- How to apply for the free EHIC card and avoid scams which make you pay
HOLIDAYS: TOP TIPS
HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS
How to avoid the over-65s travel insurance trap and get the best cover at the right cost
Hunting down travel cover can be both difficult and expensive with older travellers typically paying more for insurance because they are judged more likely to claim.On top of inflated prices, those over 65 also have to contend with age caps which can mean they are turned away by standard providers when they reach certain age brackets. ...read
Currency | Rate | Buy now |
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Updated 16 Jul 2015. | ||
Euro | 1.4 | Buy Now |
US Dollar | 1.531 | Buy Now |
Australian Dollar | 2.0605 | Buy Now |
Canadian Dollar | 1.9732 | Buy Now |
Chinese Yuan | 9.3163 | Buy Now |
Croatian Kuna | 10.46 | Buy Now |
Czech Koruna | 37.592 | Buy Now |
Danish Krone | 10.337 | Buy Now |
Egyptian Pound | 10.648 | Buy Now |
Hong Kong Dollar | 11.777 | Buy Now |
Hungarian Forint | 425.74 | Buy Now |
Israeli New Shekel | 5.6444 | Buy Now |
Japanese Yen | 189.43 | Buy Now |
Malaysian Ringgit | 5.7112 | Buy Now |
New Zealand Dollar | 2.3345 | Buy Now |
Norwegian Krone | 12.391 | Buy Now |
Polish Zloty | 5.69 | Buy Now |
Singapore Dollar | 2.081 | Buy Now |
South African Rand | 18.903 | Buy Now |
Sterling | 1.0 | Buy Now |
Swedish Krona | 12.911 | Buy Now |
Swiss Franc | 1.4538 | Buy Now |
Thai Baht | 51.509 | Buy Now |
UAE Dirham | 5.5949 | Buy Now |
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