Self-catering plans pay off as grocery prices down

Frugal travellers hoping to save money by booking self-catering holidays are being rewarded with cheaper grocery prices abroad, new figures show.

Despite the weak pound, the cost of food and drink at supermarkets is now lower for UK visitors compared with five years ago at all eight of the popular European resorts analysed by Post Office Travel Money and Monarch Holidays.

The cheapest destination for a basket of 15 self-catering basics was found to be Majorca, where the bill of £31.91 is 19% down on 2012 prices.

Researchers reported five loaves of bread costs just £4.27 on the Balearic island, with 40 teabags only setting tourists back 40p and 100g of coffee, 89p.

Portugal’s Algarve was runner-up on the list at £33.65, ahead of Lanzarote, Spain, in third place at £34.41.

The most expensive of the destinations was Limassol, Cyprus, (£44.29) followed by Dalaman, Turkey (£42.13) and Costa Blanca, Spain (£41.04).

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, stressed the importance of checking prices before booking a trip due to the fall in the value of the pound, which buys 10% fewer euros than June last year.

He said: “It’s good to report that the cost of self-catering groceries has fallen in parts of Europe despite the fall in sterling’s value since last year.

“However, the wide variations we found across the destinations surveyed mean families should do their homework and check prices before booking.

“Majorca and Portugal are great value for self-catering.

“Our advice is to do one big supermarket shop and choose cheaper local brands. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables in local markets and only use mini-marts to top up supplies.”