Warning to Brit tourists over ‘hidden' charge that could cost you £300 before even stepping out of airport
Corfu, in the northwestern corner of Greece, lies just 48km from the Albanian coast.
Advertisement
3
Corfu sits close to the Albanian coast – strong signals from across the border can reach parts of the island, especially on the eastern side
Credit: Alamy
3
This can cause some phones to automatically connect to Albanian networks—even though tourists haven't left Greece
Credit: Alamy
Because of this, strong mobile signals from across the border can reach parts of the island, especially on the eastern side.
This can cause some phones to automatically connect to Albanian networks—even though tourists haven't left Greece.
As a result, many holidaymakers have reported receiving a confusing 'Welcome to Albania' text shortly after landing at Corfu Airport, which in some cases has led to unexpected roaming charges and hefty phone bills.
One traveller shared a message received from a service called Rate Advice, which read: 'Welcome to Albania! Calls, texts and data in Albania are chargeable and do not come out of your standard allowances or UK data add-ons.'
Advertisement
Read more on Travel
Charges can be as high as £1.50 per MB of data, with a roaming cap of £45 – but many users report blowing past that limit if not careful reports MailOnline.
Several tourists have taken to social media to warn others.
Steve Moore, from Chesterfield, wrote on Facebook: 'I arrived Sunday, usual welcome text to Corfu charges just the same as UK – 2 days later message 'Welcome to Albania' this is your charges.
"Wow what a rip off… was told the network must have changed to a different mast.'
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
Another Facebook user added: 'Only if you go to the east of the island. I did that mistake while on a quad.
"Using Google Maps. £128 to drive up road lol.'
A third warned: 'We got caught out – £298 bill when we got home.'
To avoid these charges, Brits are being urged to manually select a Greek mobile network upon arrival.
Advertisement
Turn this off now
One traveller advised: 'All you do is let your phone set its paired Greek network automatically when you arrive on the island at the airport.
"Once it's selected the correct Greek network, go into your settings and turn OFF 'automatically select network'.
"This means your phone will not hunt for or connect to anything else other than your correct Greek network.'
Others recommend turning off roaming completely and relying on Wi-Fi in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
Advertisement
'We keep our roaming off at all times and just
Some have even reported successfully challenging the charges with their network provider afterwards, though this is not guaranteed.
The warning comes as travel experts highlight other mobile settings that could leave travellers out of pocket.
Georgia Brivida, from international SIM provider Sim Local, says one commonly overlooked feature is autoplay – which automatically plays videos on apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Advertisement
She warns this can quietly use large amounts of data, especially when abroad.
'Autoplay is a feature that automatically plays videos as you scroll through apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, often without you even tapping play,' she said.
To avoid any nasty surprises, travellers are being urged to check their mobile settings before flying – and stay alert to unexpected network switches, especially when close to international borders.
3
Some have even reported successfully challenging the charges with their network provider afterwards, though this is not guaranteed
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
A MILLIONAIRE couple, who have £2500 a week in disposable income were left horrified when they had to muck out alpacas as a "fun" activity on Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. After giving the Leaf family a glimpse into their lives by taking them to a hotel in Malta that cost more per night than their monthly rent, the Dissont family were whisked off to rural Lancashire for a budget break. 3 The Dissont family were less than impressed by the glamping break Credit: Channel 5 3 They couldn't believe how little the Leaf's spent on their holiday Credit: Channel 5 3 Andre was not impressed when he had to muck out the sheep Credit: Channel 5 Health and Aesthetics clinic owners Sam and Andre, who earn up to £80,000 a month, blow up to £40,000 on a single break, so they were less than impressed by the Leaf's glamping holiday, with Andre describing the glamping pods as akin to a "sewage silo." "It's smaller than some of the bathrooms in the hotel's we've stayed in", said Sam, who is used to five star luxury . "I've never been on a holiday where I could touch all four walls at the same time", Andre admitted. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter were immediately unsure whether they would be able to hack the trip. Read more real life stories "There's no holiday feel to it, it's just endurance", said Andre, after having to lug his suitcase across a muddy field. The posh family, from Cheshire , who blew £155 on a guided tour in Malta, were shocked to find that the same cost was their entire spending budget for the four-day Lancashire trip. "That is so tight", Andre fumed. "We spend that much money just on getting to the airport." Most read in Fabulous The holiday doesn't get off to a great start, with Sam moaning about the cold temperatures and the fact they're "stuck in a field", with nowhere to go. The couple were horrified by the communal bathroom, and couldn't believe that they had to cook food for themselves. Inside 'real-life Love Island' where super-rich 'drop £3k a day' and kinky clubs sweep up boozy Brits booted out from Ibiza "When it comes to a holiday, I want to be catered for", Andre said. Sam completely refused to use the shared shower and decided to fast rather than eat a breakfast of eggs on toast. Activities on the trip included volunteering with alpacas and paddle boarding, which Andre described as "holiday hell." And although the family did enjoy cuddling the animals, they were less than impressed when it came to mucking them out. Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! "I work hard anyway, I don't need to do that when I'm on holiday", Andre fumed. The Dissont's couldn't wait to get home to their huge mansion, after admitting that their perspective on budget holidays hadn't changed. However, daughter Kasia said she enjoyed the £900 Lancashire break just as much as the £16,000 Malta getaway. The rich family showed their generous side though, by offering to pay for the Bolton-based Leafs to go on holiday to Greece . "You totally deserve it", they told the "selfless" family. In floods of tears, the grateful family said the gift was "incredible".
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible sacrifice of tiny English village that's become a haven for dark tourism 359 years later
A LOT of historic sites are shrouded in suffering and death, but one UK town is known entirely for its tragic past. Eyam in 4 Eyam in Derbyshire has become a popular tourist destination due to its tragic past Credit: Alamy 4 The small village lost 75% of its residents to the Black Plague in the 1660s, with 'plague cottages' still standing today Credit: Alamy The Given the town at the time only housed 350 residents, this loss was felt all the more by those in the area. After the spread of the The bubonic plague first wreaked havoc worldwide in the 1300s before another outbreak in England during the 1660s. Read More On Dark Tourism It claimed over 68,000 lives in London alone during this period. The deadly disease eventually made its way north, reaching Eyam in the summer of 1665. In a bid to shield neighbouring villages, Eyam's inhabitants bravely chose to isolate themselves after symptoms of the plague were reported within its borders. A boundary stone, which remains to this day, was erected between plague-ridden Eyam and the nearby unaffected town of Stoney Middleton. Most read in The Sun Eyam's residents would make their way to this stone to deposit vinegar-soaked money in exchange for food and medical supplies, left by Stoney Middleton's inhabitants. Today, visitors to Eyam can witness the lasting impact of the plague outbreak on the village. English seaside town to transform abandoned beach shelters into new attraction There are numerous graves scattered throughout the village and surrounding fields as families were urged to bury their deceased near their homes instead of in the church graveyard. These stringent rules were established by Reverend William Mompesson and Puritan minister Thomas Stanley. They also opted to move all church services outdoors and ensured no one could enter or leave the village. A recent visitor to Eyam shared a heartbreaking love story that has become part of the folklore surrounding the plague-stricken village. "In 1665, the plague hit Eyam and they locked down the village, separating Emmott Sydall from her fiancé Rowland Torre," the tourist said in an Instagram post. Eyam during the plague The Black Death is thought to have first arrived to the village in September 1665. Historians have hypothesised the disease was brought to Eyam via a parcel of cloth delivered from London to a local tailor. The cloth is believed to have been infested with plague-carrying fleas. During the 14-month voluntary quarantine, 75% of the town's residents passed away. One resident, Elizabeth Hancock, buried her husband and six children with her own hands within eight days. Plague cottages, where victims lived and died, still stand in the town today. "Emmott and Rowland would meet at the village boundary once a week, keeping their distance so he wouldn't contract the disease. "One day, Emmott didn't show up, when the lockdown was lifted, Rowland was among the first to enter the village in search of Emmott." A plaque indicates that Emmott was one of the village's many victims of the black death. The romantic rendezvous of the two at the village boundary has been immortalised in a stained glass image visible in Eyam's St Lawrence's Church. More on dark tourism Plus, the And the Dark tourism has reached all corners of the globe, with many visiting Some thrillseekers even risk death in the 4 Residents were encouraged to bury their loved ones away from the church grounds Credit: Getty 4 The Riley Graves contain the resting place of a man and his six children, all buried by hand by the only surviving member of the family Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
First tourists visit North Korea's ghostly ‘Benidorm' resort where ‘minders' follow visitors & phones are ‘bugged'
NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new " Benidorm " beach resort. But the initial batch of visitors have reported that they are followed everywhere and their phones are likely bugged. 10 The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours Credit: East2West 10 A group of 13 inaugural guests went to the resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourists watched 24/7 on a rare trip inside the repressive state Credit: East2West The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours. It features a a giant artificial white sand beach - once a missile test site - on the Sea of Japan, and was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un himself. But Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own. "You are accompanied everywhere… even on the beach someone walked with us," according to blogger Daria Zubkova. read more in world news Yet this was as "sweet concern" for guests rather than more "They are walking [with you]. "[If] you want, they chat with you, [if not] they just walk behind you." Daria added that the minders "argue that they worry about us getting lost or something else". Most read in The US Sun But the veterinary therapist added: "What many people are afraid of….is some kind of wiretapping everywhere and so on. "Most likely, I think that there is probably all of this, but we just weren't afraid, because we have nothing to say that would make someone scold us for it." North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports, and has jet-skis. Russian tourists holidaying there must make their own way to the eastern city of Vladivostok. From there they are flown into North Korea - to the capital city of Pyongyang. But once in the country, the group of 13 inaugural guests had their short flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan was suddenly cancelled - and a train arranged instead. "An entire train for just 13 people is simply unthinkable," said Daria. "It was new, very comfortable, with air conditioning." 10 The resort has opened for its first guests Credit: East2West 10 North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un opens Wonsan-Kalma pet project beach resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourist Daria Zubkova shows an empty beach in Wonsan-Kalma resort Credit: East2West 10 The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports Credit: East2West She added: "I saw villages [from the windows of the train]….people are working in the fields, not very rich people." Another tourist Lyudmila said: "I was even interested in riding the train, because for the first time I saw that the mountains they paint in their pictures really exist. "It is also very interesting to see the country from the train." But once they got to Wonsan, their hotel was full with visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The tourists were then moved to inferior accommodation. Tourists were also told that sending emails cost £1.65 each. The tour company made clear that the secret police would have the opportunity to monitor their messages. "Please note that the email will be sent from the hotel's email box, not yours. "Therefore, to make it easier to find a reply addressed to you, we recommend that you include your room number in the subject line." Tourists were also told in advance: "We recommend taking tea, coffee, sugar with you!!! Fruits are not served." But Daria added: "There were a lot of types of meat, duck, rabbit, different types of fish. They really tried to please us." The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 - once they have made their way to Vladivostok. All but £325 of this has to be paid in cash. "We like everything," said tourist Pavla Gambal. "The sea is warm, the beach is clean, they keep order. "The territory is well-kept. The food is very tasty, you can eat it." It comes at a time when when North Korea has sent soldiers to die for "ally" Vladimir Putin, along with ship loads of military equipment and ammunition. 10 Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own Credit: East2West 10 The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 Credit: East2West 10 A small group of Russian tourists was taken to the resort Credit: East2West
