Many of us look forward to enjoying a refreshing drink while on holiday, be it a cold pint by the pool, an Aperol Spritz on the beach, or a glass of wine at sunset. While the fundamentals of responsible drinking are well-known, the specific legal landscape surrounding alcohol can vary dramatically from one destination to the next. Ignorance of local laws is no defence, and a simple misstep could lead to unexpected fines or even imprisonment, turning a dream holiday into a nightmare.
European Road Rules and Time-Based Bans
Travellers planning a European road trip must pay close attention to local driving laws. In a strict departure from the UK's allowance, four EU nations – Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia – enforce a zero-tolerance policy for drivers. This means not a single drop of alcohol is permitted in your system before you get behind the wheel. Being caught can result in severe penalties, including substantial fines, immediate licence suspension, or even a prison sentence. This rule applies universally to all motorists, including those driving commercially and new drivers.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, tourists are being warned about significant changes to drinking laws set for November 8, 2025. The new regulations will prohibit the sale of alcohol in two daily windows: from 2pm until 5pm, and again from midnight until 11am. This ban applies everywhere, including convenience stores. Anyone caught purchasing, being served, or consuming alcohol during these restricted hours faces a potential fine of up to THB 10,000, which is approximately £230.
Unexpected Public and Purchasing Restrictions
Even in countries famous for their drinking culture, rules can surprise you. In Ireland, the home of Guinness, Irish Rail has prohibited the consumption of alcohol on all its services. The only exception is the cross-border service between Belfast and Dublin, where alcohol purchased on board may be consumed. All other trains only permit non-alcoholic beverages.
Scandinavia presents its own unique set of regulations. In Sweden, the sale of alcohol is heavily controlled. You can only find beer with an alcohol content of up to 3.5% in supermarkets. For any stronger alcohol, you must visit a state-owned Systembolaget shop, and you must be at least 20 years old to purchase it. Just next door, in Norway, drinking in public places is strictly forbidden. While bars with outdoor seating are fine, enjoying a drink in a public park or on the street can lead to an on-the-spot fine, with some penalties exceeding £300.
Similar public drinking bans are in force in Turkey, a popular holiday destination. While alcohol is legal, consumption is prohibited in mosques, schools, hospitals, on the street, and in public areas like parks, reflecting the country's Islamic heritage.
Strict Conduct and Bizarre Regulations
In Muslim-majority nations like the UAE and Morocco, the laws focus on public conduct rather than a total ban. While you can buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues or private residences, it is illegal to be visibly intoxicated in public. The consequences in the UAE are particularly severe, with fines reaching up to AED 100,000 (around £21,840), prison sentences of up to six months, or deportation. In Morocco, fines are around 500 MAD (£40).
Further afield, Australia, despite its reputation, has been known to implement temporary alcohol bans in certain regions, particularly on busy national holidays like Australia Day. In the United States, aside from a higher drinking age of 21, many states enforce 'open container' laws, which can net you an instant fine for simply carrying an open alcohol container in a public place, regardless of whether you are drinking from it.
And for a truly unique regulation, look to Alaska, where it is illegal to give alcohol to a moose. This unusual law stems from a real incident in the 1970s when an intoxicated moose caused chaos in the town of Fairbanks after consuming fermented fruit, leading authorities to declare drunken moose a public safety hazard.
The key takeaway for any traveller is clear: before you relax with a drink, take a moment to research the local laws. A little caution can save you from a holiday disaster and ensure your memories are of relaxation, not litigation.
