Get match fit with the NCA's Euro 2012 survival kit
- NCA urges fans to plan ahead as trip costs from €2,800
17 January 2012
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) today launched its Euro 2012 survival kit to help football fans planning on travelling to this summer's European Championships to prepare for the trip. The online survival kit contains the NCA's Euro 2012 budget planner, which has been specially designed to help fans plan ahead for the cost of the trip.
The budget planner sets out the main expenses such as the cost of tickets, flights and accommodation and also some of the less obvious costs, for example, the cost of using a mobile phone abroad. As well as a budget planner, the online kit contains information on the different travel options available, health and travel insurance and using your cards abroad.
Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the NCA, explained: "This is an exciting time for football fans in Ireland, as it's the first international football tournament that we have qualified for in some time. It's important for fans planning on making the trip over to Poland to plan ahead not just for their travel arrangements but also to make sure they budget and plan ahead for the cost of the trip.
"With less than six months to kick-off, we estimate that it could cost from €2,800 to attend the first three Ireland matches. Planning ahead financially can help fans work out how much they can afford to spend and spread the cost of paying for the trip."
The Euro 2012 survival kit has money saving tips to make sure fans get the most out of their budget and information on roaming charges for using mobile phones during the trip. The survival kit also warns fans to be "scam savvy" this summer and to be aware of fraudulent ticket sellers and possible scams before and during their trip.
Ms Fitzgerald commented: "We would urge anyone hoping to attend the matches to be vigilant and to purchase tickets from the official UEFA site or through an FAI appointed travel agent. Fans should avoid purchasing tickets from unofficial reselling sites where they could end up paying out a large sum of money for a ticket that might not exist or isn't accepted when they try to enter the stadium.
"We would also advise consumers when they are booking accommodation or travel packages to book from reputable sites and agencies. If in doubt, don't hand over any money or provide personal details."
The NCA has lots of information on budgeting and saving available at www.nca.ie. The site has an online budget planner to help consumers get to grips with their income and outgoings and work out how much they can afford to spend on the trip.
It also has a regular savings cost comparison for fans planning on saving up for the trip and information and cost comparisons on loans and credit card charges for those that plan to borrow to pay for the trip.
Notes to Editor:
Rates are correct as at 12/01/2012
SAMPLE BUDGET PLANNER |
| Travel | Estimates |
| Ryanair Flights to Poznan return 9–19 June 2012 (1 bag) | €558.40 |
| 2nd class train ticket return to Gdansk: 13–15 June 2012 | €30 |
| City card (public transport and tourist attractions) | €30 |
| Subtotal | €618.4 |
| | |
| Accommodation | |
| 2* Hotel Poznan 9th – 13th June (4 nights) | €448 |
| Hotel Gdansk 13th – 15th June (2 nights) | €311 |
| 2* Hotel Poznan 15th- 19th June (4 nights) | €448 |
| *(Accommodation is based on price per room for a double/twin room with 2 people sharing) | |
| Subtotal | €1207 |
| | |
| Food/Groceries | |
| Breakfast -(eating out and supermarket spends) | €50 |
| Lunch and Snacks | €150 |
| Dinner (Groceries) | €50 |
| Subtotal | €250 |
| | |
| Leisure | |
| Eating Out | €150 |
| Pubs | €200 |
| Subtotal | €350 |
| | |
| Travel Insurance | €15 |
| | |
| Mobile Roaming charges | €50 |
| | |
| Contingency | €300 |
| | |
| Total | €2,790.4 |