Pre-holiday shopping cheapest in US

DON’T forget your toothbrush!

Actually, you might be better off leaving it behind and buying one abroad, depending on where you are going this summer.

It could be cheaper to buy some holiday essentials elsewhere, according to a study released yesterday.

The Visa Europe Suitcase Index compares the cost of 16 popular holiday items, including everything from sunglasses to Speedos, across 17 major holiday destinations around the world. The US is the cheapest, with all 16 items costing a total of €540. This compares with a total bill of €755 for pre-holiday shopping in Ireland.

According to the study, Ireland ranks sixth most expensive for the overall package of travel goods surveyed.

The study reveals that there are some real bargains to be found abroad when it comes to stocking up on your holiday essentials. If you’re planning to hit the beach, the best value pair of Speedos in the world can be found in Germany at €11.99 and the cheapest beach towel can be bought for €5.40 in the Czech Republic. For accessories, the US is best value for Rayban sunglasses (€64) and gadgets (8GB iPod Nano for €102).

Simon Kleine, Visa Europe, said: “The suitcase index provides a fascinating glimpse into how the cost of holiday basics really can vary from country to country, so we’d advise taking your time when packing this year.”

When it comes to holiday basics, Irish travellers don’t need to worry if they arrive without them in India, where an Oral B toothbrush and Colgate toothpaste can be purchased for under €1 and Piz Buin sun cream is just €1.60. However, while the cost of buying a replacement passport is similar in a number of European countries, including Ireland, Spain, France and Italy (€145), our British neighbours only pay €83.

!Long-haul travellers jetting off to the Caribbean should hope their luggage doesn’t go astray, as it is the most expensive place to replace all of the essentials at 162,724 Jamaican dollars, or about €1,295, nearly double the cost of buying all your items in Ireland.

The most expensive items in the Caribbean are a digital Kodak camera at €477 – nearly seven times the cheapest price of the same model in the Czech Republic, and an iPod Nano at €490 – over four times more expensive than the same model in the US.

Tourists spending on souvenirs and in need of an extra suitcase to bring everything back will find the best value in Bulgaria, where a Samsonite suitcase costs €48, nearly one-third the price of the same model in Ireland at €142. However, Bulgaria is the second most expensive country for replacing all other essentials at a total cost of €927.