A study by the International Currency Exchange (ICE) has revealed the eye-watering mark ups applied to food and drink on both planes and trains.
Airlines are charging more than three times the regular price on some items served in the cabin.
Train lines aren’t much better, charging almost triple on some drinks.
The worst offender is a 330ml can of beer, which has an average mark up of 382 per cent on a plane and 287 per cent by rail.
Bottled water doesn’t fare well either, with airlines charging 273 per cent more on average, and trains 247 per cent.
When it comes to food, chocolate bars and crisps are the biggest rip-offs. The average mark up of a chocolate bar on a plane is 123 per cent, with trains charging 51 per cent more.
For a packet of crisps you’ll pay 126 per cent more in the cabin or 42 per cent extra by rail.
The cheapest in-flight snack you can munch on is a packet of peanuts, with a mark up of only 71 per cent.
Given trains don’t serve these, the best value option is a sharing bag of sweets, which has a mark up up just 30 per cent.
If you’re in search of a cheap drink, a bottle of wine (187ml) is your best bet, with mark ups of 123 per cent and 51 per cent respectively.
ICE CEO Koko Sarkari said: “This is one of the most competitive marketplaces in the world and with space at a premium you can certainly see why prices are higher at 30,000ft than at local convenience store.
“After scouring the internet for the cheapest ticket, accommodation and carefully packing light to avoid any extra charges, the last thing people want is to spend a small fortune on food and drink on their journey.”
ICE recommends bringing a packed lunch to save money on your journey and taking advantage of duty-free prices for snacks and drinks.
If you buy online before you board you’ll often get a discount too.
Sarkari added: “The airline mark ups on bottled water seem particularly steep since travellers are unable to bring liquids of over 100ml through airport security and will therefore need to purchase drinks in the departure lounge or on-board.
“But travellers are allowed to take some food items through airport security, so planning ahead could help them make some real savings.”
You can also usually get hot water for free on both trains and planes, so packing your own tea bags or instant porridge will prevent you from opening your wallet.
A flight meal reviewer recently revealed the five best meals on offer in the skies, featuring airlines from all over the world.
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