Shopper Flies to Turkey for Groceries and Saves £20 Compared to UK Prices
In a striking demonstration of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, a British shopper has revealed that flying to Turkey for groceries saved him £20 compared to buying the same items in the UK. Jordon Cox, famously known as the Coupon King, embarked on a 2,000-mile round trip to Antalya, Turkey, to test whether international shopping could be more economical than visiting his local Tesco.
The Extreme Shopping Experiment
Jordon booked a cheap same-day return flight to Antalya, costing just £33.01, and spent a total of £68.79 on flights, a return tram ride (£1.44), and his shopping basket (£34.34). His purchases included everyday branded food, toiletries, household essentials, and even a bottle of Smirnoff vodka from duty-free. Many of these items were identical to those sold in UK supermarkets but at significantly lower prices.
Comparing the costs: The same shop at Tesco would have cost £89.38 without a Clubcard or £86.18 with one. After factoring in all expenses, Jordon saved £20.59 without a Clubcard and £17.39 with one. This saving underscores the stark price disparities between UK and Turkish supermarkets.
Detailed Price Breakdown
Jordon provided a comprehensive comparison of item prices, revealing substantial differences. For example:
- Oral B Toothpaste (3-pack): £5.13 in Turkey versus £9 to £18 in the UK.
- Coco Pops Jumbos (1.4kg): £2.24 in Turkey versus £10 to £14 in the UK.
- Haribo Starmix (2 packs): 98p in Turkey versus £2.48 to £2.50 in the UK.
- Doritos Tangy Cheese (2 packs): £1.68 in Turkey versus £3.50 to £5 in the UK.
- Garnier BB Cream: £1.46 in Turkey versus £7.50 to £10 in the UK.
These examples highlight how even after accounting for travel costs, shopping abroad can lead to significant savings on common household goods.
Consumer Struggles and Government Action
Jordon expressed concern over the rising cost of living in the UK, noting that food and non-alcoholic drink prices have surged by 37% between January 2020 and July 2025. Although annual grocery inflation has recently fallen to 4%, he believes more government intervention is needed. "If flying to a different continent can save you money, it screams that there’s a deeper issue," Jordon said. He urged policymakers to reduce the financial burden on consumers before extreme measures become commonplace.
He also criticised supermarkets for offering minimal savings through loyalty cards and called for expanded value ranges, increased transparency on deals, and better benefits to support shoppers throughout the year.
Environmental and Practical Considerations
While acknowledging that flying for shopping is not environmentally friendly, Jordon pointed out that his trip utilised otherwise empty seats on scheduled flights. He suggested that carbon offsetting could still leave travellers financially better off, highlighting the difficult trade-offs faced by consumers. Additionally, he recommended that holidaymakers consider loading up on essentials abroad to reduce future shopping costs back home.
Despite spending only six hours in Turkey, Jordon found the trip worthwhile, enjoying a sunset by the sea and exploring a new country. "Not only did I visit a country I’d never been to before - I managed to save money on things I’d have bought anyway!" he remarked.
Broader Implications for UK Shoppers
This story taps into broader themes of the cost-of-living crisis, extreme money-saving tactics, and questions about the effectiveness of loyalty cards. It raises serious concerns about supermarket pricing strategies and whether current measures are sufficient to alleviate financial pressures on households. As consumers continue to feel the pinch, such extreme shopping hacks may become more prevalent, urging both retailers and the government to take action.
