Holidaymakers spend up to £1,500 per trip on items they could’ve brought from home

  • 82% of holidaymakers buy items they could’ve brought from home
  • Ferry travellers are the least likely to spend on items they could’ve brought from home
  • 71% leave items they can’t bring home due to luggage restrictions
  • Pool inflatables and buckets & spades account for almost a quarter of items holidaymakers leave behind

New research from Discover Ferries, the industry body representing 12 ferry operators and 80+ ferry routes, reveals that 82% of British holidaymakers buy items they could’ve brought from home, wasting on average £59.86 every trip1. Almost a quarter of travellers (24%) spend £75 or more per trip on items they could’ve brought with them2 and some holidaymakers admit to spending as much as £1,500 per trip!

The main items responsible for overspending include:

  1. Food or snacks (48%)
  2. Bottled water (40%)
  3. Toiletries including shampoo, toothpaste and shower gel (37%)
  4. Suncream (34%)

Spendy Gen-Z

Generation Z holidaymakers make the most unnecessary purchases (94%), averaging a spend of £70.20 per trip on items they could have brought from home. Whereas the over 55s are the thriftiest – Baby Boomers (ages 60-78) spend an average of £46.45 per trip on items they could have brought with them and the Silent Generation (age 79+) reports to spend only £31.07. They are also the generations that are least likely to throw items away or leave them behind at the end of a trip (52% and 35% respectively).

Ferry travellers spend the least on unnecessary purchases

The way holidaymakers travel plays a significant role in how much money they spend on items they could’ve brought from home. When it comes to public transport, ferry travel saves holidaymakers the most money. 53% of travellers say they are more likely to spend on items they could’ve brought from home when going by plane, 43% say they are more likely to spend when taking a train and 36% are more likely to on a coach trip. Whereas only 33% of ferry passengers are more likely to purchase items they already own3.

Holiday purchases that cost the Earth

Sadly, from an environmental perspective, food (33%), water (32%), toiletries (31%) and suncream (22%) are also the items most frequently thrown away or left behind due to restrictions on the amount of luggage they can carry.

The iconic beach holiday staples, pool inflatables and beach toys such as buckets and spades, are a big culprit, leading Brits to waste money and potentially causing environmental harm. These items can take more than 400 hundred years to break down meaning the impact can last for centuries after your holiday. Almost a quarter of Brits (23%) say they end up leaving behind pool inflatables and beach toys as luggage restrictions prohibit them from bringing them home to be used again.

Abby Penlington, Director of Discover Ferries says: “Luggage restrictions are one of the main reasons that holidaymakers end up spending money unnecessarily. Ferry travel offers generous baggage allowances and, when travelling with your own vehicle, you can quite literally fill your boot. Passengers can bring all the essentials and the extras they want, which avoids wasting money on items they could’ve brought from home. It also makes it easier to return with food, drink, toiletries and fun items, which can be enjoyed at home or reused on a future trip.

“Furthermore, ferry travellers have no limitations on the amount of liquids they can bring. With water, toiletries and suncream featuring highly in the list of items holidaymakers purchase even though they could’ve been brought from home, this could help save money and prevent waste. Bringing a packed lunch for the journey and your favourite snacks could also cut costs!”

Guilty of waste

71% of Brits throw items away or leave something behind due to luggage restrictions4. 60% of holidaymakers feel guilty about throwing away items they cannot bring home5. Brits are making an effort to be environmentally conscious and recycle when away, with 70% of holidaymakers saying they recycle more or the same amount as they do at home6. Ferry travel offers a solution, as travellers have the space to pack items, including oversized pool inflatables, that may otherwise have been left behind. Travellers even have room to bring any rubbish back for recycling, protecting the nature and community in their destination.

Penlington continues: “Tourists are more conscious of their environmental impact than ever before and, while it can feel overwhelming, there are small things everyone can do to lessen their effect on the planet and contribute to its conservation. To help travellers learn more about how they can protect nature several ferry routes host ORCA Ocean Conservationists, who co-ordinate deck watches to spot whales and dolphins and host talks about how we can protect and monitor marine life.

“We have also developed tips on little acts that will help save money, support the local community and protect the planet when travelling.”

Discover Ferries’ top tips mean your holiday won’t cost the Earth!

  1. Bring these items to prevent plastic waste – A light, reusable water bottle is a holiday essential. There are refill stations in ferry terminals as well as in many public places. If you prefer to drink bottled water, save money and limit single-use plastic by buying large bottles from the supermarket so you can decant into reusable bottles. Don’t forget bags for life! These are handy for carrying shopping – meaning you don’t have to purchase them or use plastic bags – and double up as bags for the beach or even laundry.
  2. Bring your bike – Not only is cycling a more sustainable way to explore your destination but it means you can get around for free! Travel on two wheels also means you can see more as you can head off road and find secluded beaches. When travelling by ferry, you can either attach it to the car or cycle straight on at little or no extra cost.
  3. Leave no trace, bring your rubbish back – Some remote destinations and islands have limited recycling facilities meaning, the most environmentally way to dispose of rubbish is to bring it home. When travelling by ferry, it’s easy to load any rubbish into your car to throw away when convenient.  
  4. Minimise food waste – We’ve all thrown away food before going on holiday but when travelling by ferry, it doesn’t need to go to waste. Pack a cool bag with essentials and goodies to enjoy when you’re away and, if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, empty the fridge before you leave and bring it home. You can support small businesses in your destination by buying locally-sourced produce and dining in independent cafes and restaurants. Unique artisan goods also make great presents and souvenirs and, when travelling by ferry, can easily be brought home with you. Western France, the Isle of Wight, Ireland and the Scottish Islands are renowned for world-class delicacies including cider, black garlic, speciality cheeses and regional confectionery. Many ferry operators work closely with local farmers and fisherman, so you can even support them when dining on board. Look out for local products on menus in the onboard restaurants and cafes and in the on board shop.
  5. Use charity shops – Charity shops are a fantastic way to source toys, beach equipment, extra clothing and books on holiday at purse-friendly prices. They can also be great places to pick up souvenirs to take home. And better yet, if you’ve brought items with you that you don’t think you’ll use again you can re-donate them for others to enjoy. 

References

1 Reverse of those who said “N/A I don’t often purchase any items that I could have brought from home”

2 Responses ranging from ‘£75-£99’ to ‘£200 or more, please specify’ combined

3 “A lot more likely” and “More likely” responses combined

4 Reverse of those who said “N/A I never throw away or leave behind anything”

5 “Very guilty” and “Somewhat guilty” responses combined

6 “A lot more”, “More” and “An equal amount” responses combined

Results based on a survey conducted for Discover Ferries. The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 nationally representative consumers across the UK (aged 18+). The data was collected between 17.01.2025 and 20.01.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Get the latest Discover Ferries Updates