Travel rip-offs

[lillythesavage]

I've also noticed the rise in travel, took a ferry last week from Dover, I know it's peak time but extortionate! Car hire rates also seem to have shot up.

Car hire has gone bonkers, for several reasons, they let stocks go during the pandemic, are trying to make up lost money, and the shortage of new cars everyone has to deal with, people are paying up so there is no rush to reduce.

My mate was quoted 7k Euro for a month in Ireland coming from Chicago, I have a friend working for Budget/Avis, same company different names, and the cheapest he could do for me was 800 euro for 4 days, pre pandemic I was paying 12 to 30 Euro a day,  depending on my needs and dates and I usually got a free upgrade. 

[timsussex]

Ive been watching car hire prices in USA (had one trip in May and have one in Oct)

Fortunately booked the May one Last Oct before the prices took off. They had more than tripled by Jan and have now dropped back a lot in the last couple of weeks - probably to 150% of 2 years ago.

Of course the key is to book ahead on a cancellable booking and keep an eye on it.

[lillythesavage]

Ive been watching car hire prices in USA (had one trip in May and have one in Oct)

Fortunately booked the May one Last Oct before the prices took off. They had more than tripled by Jan and have now dropped back a lot in the last couple of weeks - probably to 150% of 2 years ago.

Of course the key is to book ahead on a cancellable booking and keep an eye on it.

150 % makes a mockery of claimed inflation rates  , do you mean 50% above the rates of 2 years or 150% above, Ireland it is far above that.

[timsussex]

150% of rate ie the SUV I am looking at is £480 now and was around £320 pre Covid - thats for 10 days
But thats better than the £1400+ as in was in Jan

Interestingly the car I got in Orlando in May had been bought by AVIS from a private individual in Tennessee according to the 'log book'

[JontyR]

a hell of a lot more than the gains from HS2, a 15 minute quicker train journey will change the life of nobody.

But this isn't the point of HS2 - a project hamstrung by its name. It's about increasing capacity for passengers and for freight. It also means you can undertake engineering work without sticking everyone on a coach.

By all means question the validity of the project, its cost etc. But at least do it so its a reasonable assessment not one peddalled by someone who is pissed off that its shortened the drive from the 17th tee.

[King Nuts]

It costs money, but chaos costs more, ffs look at the Hammersmith Bridge, not only closed but river traffic banned from going under it for a while. pathetic. just fix it, the cost and pollution from detours is ridiculous, a hell of a lot more than the gains from HS2, a 15 minute quicker train journey will change the life of nobody.

HS2 comes up frequently on here. And the point that seems to get missed is that HS2 has always been about capacity, not speed. The West Coast Main Line was upgraded some years ago, but it's now close to being full again. Increased frequency of trains to Birmingham and Manchester, plus all the local and freight traffic means a new line's going to be needed sometime in the next few years.

If it doesn't get done now, in a decade or so we're going to wish we HAD done it.

[lillythesavage]

HS2 comes up frequently on here. And the point that seems to get missed is that HS2 has always been about capacity, not speed. The West Coast Main Line was upgraded some years ago, but it's now close to being full again. Increased frequency of trains to Birmingham and Manchester, plus all the local and freight traffic means a new line's going to be needed sometime in the next few years.

If it doesn't get done now, in a decade or so we're going to wish we HAD done it.

Fair comment, the point though is money can be found for massive projects, like this and the Silvertown tunnel when other small and important infrastructure is neglected and falls into disrepair.

The argument with Hammersmith Bridge is who is responsible for maintaining it, meanwhile nobody has, simple neglect that goes on all around and costs far more in the long run.

[Marmalade]

If it doesn't get done now, in a decade or so we're going to wish we HAD done it.

I’m not. Or at least I don’t see how it affects me. Edinburgh to Manchester is not a particularly easy connection either.

When they started building the tram line in Edinburgh the advert was “getting you to work on time”. Actually that only applies if you work at the airport or the small business sector through which it passes. It actually takes longer to get to the airport than the bus, even if it’s smoother ride.

As far as I know it hasn’t paid for itself yet. Dozens of small businesses collapsed with the extensive drawn-out roadworks. Now they’re extending it through a run-down area to the port. Yes, we have a port, though it’s not exactly used much if at all. More businesses going under as they dig the roads up again.

Japan has lots of HS trains or “bullet trains” — they’re very nice. Same speeds as our projected HS2. But they’re a bit yesteryear now. The new Japanese bullet trains will go much faster.

That’s “progress”. 

[King Nuts]

I’m not. Or at least I don’t see how it affects me. Edinburgh to Manchester is not a particularly easy connection either.

When they started building the tram line in Edinburgh the advert was “getting you to work on time”. Actually that only applies if you work at the airport or the small business sector through which it passes. It actually takes longer to get to the airport than the bus, even if it’s smoother ride.

As far as I know it hasn’t paid for itself yet. Dozens of small businesses collapsed with the extensive drawn-out roadworks. Now they’re extending it through a run-down area to the port. Yes, we have a port, though it’s not exactly used much if at all. More businesses going under as they dig the roads up again.

Japan has lots of HS trains or “bullet trains” — they’re very nice. Same speeds as our projected HS2. But they’re a bit yesteryear now. The new Japanese bullet trains will go much faster.

That’s “progress”. 

I'm not sure rail travel, whether it's trams or hi-speed rail, ever pays for itself. The benefits are wider and more difficult to ascertain, but they're there alright.

As regards Japan, the geography there is very different and there was always a need for fast rail travel, given the distances involved. For instance, from Sapporo in the north to Fukuoka in the south, it's the same distance, more or less, as London to Malaga or Gibraltar.

End of the day, rail is the answer. Always has been.

[Mr Sinister]

Airport currency exchange, is a complete rip of, and dont know how they get away with this, or even survive

To change €150 into pounds, you will get back roughly £95, based on a exchange rate of €1.50, minus fees

If you want to change £100 into euros, you get around €95, based on a exchange rate of €0.95

Even now the atm machines are rigged, and if you use a Euro-cash card, and could withdraw euro directly, that no longer works.  The atm converts your euros into sterling, and then applies there exchange rate, and £5 fee.   So if asking for €500, this will cost you around £530, even though your card is loaded with euros

Get a revolut/Monzo/starling card etc...free/lower than the retail banks cash withdraws abroad and you do not get charged for making contactless payments. Also you can switch to whatever currency on the app.

Also everyone knows you don't use airports for currency exchange it's a complete rip off.

I rarely take out cash when abroad as I find I have no use for it, near most places accept card. The likes of Italy and Spain made it mandatory for businesses to have card payments now, a recent trip through Italy no matter how small the town, shop they all had contactless payments available.

all these type of shithole countries just see rich westerners that are ripe for a scam

the carry on the last time I went to Egypt was enough to put me off ever going again

No one is forcing you to visit a third world country, traveling is about experiencing new cultures, traditions and environments not to mention taking yourself out your comfort zone. Not expecting things to work in a western way.

[lewisjones23]

No one is forcing you to visit a third world country, traveling is about experiencing new cultures, traditions and environments not to mention taking yourself out your comfort zone. Not expecting things to work in a western way.

agree with some of that but not all

best places ive been are Canada and New Zealand, could visit 10 times and still have new things to do

they’ll be getting alternated now as I haven’t the patience to deal with somewhere like Egypt again, get they are somewhat desperate but the constant nagging to spend/give etc wore me down in the end

[DastardlyDick]

Looking at taking my dog on the Scene Line ferry Harwich - Hook of Holland next year - cheeky gits charge £18 to keep your Dog in your car 😠 How does that work? You've paid for the car to occupy space on their boat, so why £18 extra?
To be fair, they provide kennels at £21, which is fair enough, as they're actually providing something, but charging you to provide accommodation is just taking the piss.

[lillythesavage]

Looking at taking my dog on the Scene Line ferry Harwich - Hook of Holland next year - cheeky gits charge £18 to keep your Dog in your car 😠 How does that work? You've paid for the car to occupy space on their boat, so why £18 extra?
To be fair, they provide kennels at £21, which is fair enough, as they're actually providing something, but charging you to provide accommodation is just taking the piss.

Have done this before, do not use the kennels, they charge because you do not use them and want the money anyway. The dog is better off somewhere they know you will come back to and know the surroundings.

Let deck staff know you have a dog in the car, if you get lucky they will keep an eye on it, and let you down a couple of times during the crossing.

[DastardlyDick]

Cheers Lily - I'll bear that in mind!

[lamboman]

Airport currency exchange, is a complete rip of, and dont know how they get away with this, or even survive

They are relying on people who haven't been bothered to organise exchange before getting to the airport.
As for high prices at airports do some not realise airport retail rates are as high as the come.

[lillythesavage]

Cheers Lily - I'll bear that in mind!

No worries,