The Rugby World Cup is here. Finally.
As thousands of well-heeled Irish people cross the water hoping to put one over on the giants of the game, almost as many retailers, hoteliers, publicans, pie men and taxi drivers and the rest are working out ways to put one over on them.
Michael O’Leary has been to the fore in extracting money from Irish fans with flights to key locations sky-rocketing in recent weeks. Even the most vile of hotels within spitting distance of the stadiums hosting matches have being gouging fans with more gusto than a forward in a particularly dirty pack.
Some hotels in out-of-the-way places have thought nothing about charging prices that even the five-star hotels in London’s swankiest neighbourhoods would blush at.
So, make no mistake, if you plan to go to the World Cup – even a tiny bit of it – it is going to cost you.
Today, on Today FM’s Gift Grub, a version of me appeared offering money saving tips to rugby fans.
The tips were excellent.
Gift Grub Me suggests hitching to the airport, buying rounds of shandy at the end of the night because it’s cheaper and your buddies will be too drunk to notice the difference. Fans were also urged not to pee in expensive public urinals in Cardiff and hold on until they get inside the Millennium stadium where the toilets are free.
But there are 10 other money saving tips people should bear in mind before they head over:
1 – If you are going to drive to the airport and you don't want to hitch, book parking early. If you do it in advance and online it will save you money.
2 – Baggage charges can really add up, so pack light. If you don't want to pack light, buy yourself a suitcase coat.
“A suitcase what now,” we can hear you ask.
Luckily for you, the definition of “coat” in airline speak is nice and loose and you can buy a coat with 40 different pockets that can fit all your luggage. You’ll end up sweating like a drug mule crossing a country’s border, but does it really matter when you’re saving money? If you do wear a suitcase coat – and please do and please send us a pic – don’t forget which pocket you put your passport in. The stress of trying to find it, added to the weight of the coat could bring on an aneurysm.
3 – Don't be a slave to the motor car. Don't rent a car while in the UK and don't take taxies. Use public transport instead. You are travelling to a country where everyone speaks English and there will be busses running to and from the stadiums so you will easily be able to get around for half nothing.
4 – Do you have a tent?
Are you prepared to buy a tent and live like some class of new age traveller for the glory of your country?
Some people are camping in Cardiff this weekend in order to avoid high-priced hotels. That’s grand if it’s not raining and councils permit you to pitch your tent near the stadium, but try camping near Twickenham in October and see how you get on.
5 – You've no doubt signed up to a whole host of online coupon services at home and sure as anything you've grown weary of the never-ending stream of teeth-whitening and colon cleansing deals that fill your inbox every morning. It is time to rediscover the joy of the deal. Sign up to the Living Social and Groupon sites in Cardiff and London and wherever else the World Cup will take you.
Then buy all the meal deals that take your fancy.
6 – If you are staying in a hotel skip the breakfast. Hotels typically charge at least £15 for their greasy fry. You'll be able to find a caff nearby that will sell you a better, more artery clogging breakfast for a fiver.
7 – Never, ever change money at airports, at cash desks or at ATMs. You will lose out. An Post offers good value for money for major currencies.
And whatever you do, don’t believe signs that say “commission free”.
The signs are lying to you.
8 – Don't get stung with roaming charges. Tell your operator that your heading to the UK and have them switch you to the cheapest roaming deal they have.
9 – Download the Free Wifi Finder app. It uses GPS to find wifi hot spots all over the world. Then use the Skype or Viber app to make calls at no cost.
10 – Do not leave home without a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). It is not the same as travel insurance, as repatriation is not covered, but it will cover you for medical costs across the EU.
Even if you are travelling to the UK within hours make the application online now.
You won’t actually get your card on time but a record of your application will exist and, should the worst come to the worst, you’ll be grand.
