These are the top 20 pre-holiday blunders for UK holidaymakers

A survey of 2,000 travellers revealed that 58 per cent worry about forgetting something they really need when going away.

It found that four in 10 have found themselves in a spot of bother following a momentary lapse of judgement prior to departure.

Travelling with an out-of-date passport, driving to a different airport and taking the wrong currency emerged to be among Brits’ biggest pre-holiday blunders.

Other mistakes included going to the incorrect airport gate, failing to pack appropriate clothing and arriving for a flight a day after its departure.

This comes as holidaymakers were left stunned by a blurry departures board at Liverpool Airport, struggling to read their flight and gate numbers.

This was set up by Vision Direct along their trial of a contact lens vending machine for forgetful folks who left their eyewear behind.

Barney Streeting, general manager for the contact lenses provider said: “There are so many things to plan and remember for a holiday, it is no wonder people often miss something along the way.

“With most things you can make up for it when you arrive at your destination – buying replacement clothing or toiletries or underwear is relatively easy.

“But there are some pre-holiday blunders which are harder to cover, such as forgetting to take the right passport, losing car keys or leaving prescriptions at home.

“We wanted to raise awareness of how life-changing wearing contact lenses or glasses can be – and how forgetting them can be the difference between enjoying a holiday and finding it unbearable.”

Planning in advance

Of those who have forgotten items for a foreign holiday, swimwear, foreign currency and travel insurance are most often missed.

Going over the baggage allowance, picking up the wrong luggage at the airport and missing a motorway turning on the way also featured in the top 20.

As a result, three in 10 have at some point had to fork out for something they forgot to take away with them on holiday – with the average pay out being a whopping £338.

Of those with a sight prescription, 71 per cent would be mortified to turn up to their holiday destination without the right eyewear.

While 22 per cent would be more worried about leaving their prescription glasses at home than any other item, and more than one in 20 claim going without their contact lenses would ruin their trip.

When faced with a holiday without such essentials, 21 per cent have had to cope without – experiencing blurry vision or risk of illness without medication.

While 16 per cent of those polled via OnePoll have tried to source and pay for medical items and a further 10 per cent have bought online at a holiday location.