Travel Duo's Stunning Discovery at Airport McDonald's
Two British travel experts have issued a stark warning to budget-conscious travellers after experiencing what's widely regarded as the most expensive McDonald's in the world. Chelsea Dickenson, known as 'HolidayExpert' for her money-saving travel advice, and her podcast co-presenter James Robinson found themselves completely unprepared for the shocking prices they encountered at Antalya Airport's famous fast food outlet.
The Price Revelation That Left Experts Speechless
Approaching the ordering screen with typical traveller expectations, the pair discovered prices displayed in Turkish lira that required immediate mental conversion to British pounds. "We are at what is considered as one of the most overpriced McDonalds in the world. It's in Antalya Airport, and we've heard it costs an absolute fortune. But it can't be real," Chelsea remarked with evident scepticism before the true cost became apparent.
Their investigation began with a standard benchmark: the Big Mac meal. In the United Kingdom, this popular combination typically costs around £7.50 when upgraded to include chips and a drink. However, at this particular Turkish airport location, the identical meal carried a price tag of 887 Turkish lira, which translated to approximately £15.34 according to their calculations - more than double the UK price.
Children's Meal Carries Adult-Sized Price Tag
The shocking revelations continued when they examined the cost of a regular Happy Meal, the beloved children's option that usually ranges from £3.49 to £4.49 in British outlets. At Antalya Airport, this meal came to 665 Turkish lira, working out to roughly £11.50 - a price that left both travel professionals equally staggered.
Driven by curiosity about what could possibly justify such extraordinary pricing, James decided to purchase the Turkish Happy Meal despite the cost. "I wanted to see what the toy was," James declared before the video revealed his £11.50 purchase included a Playmobil llama that required assembly.
"That's what you paid £11.50 for," Chelsea remarked as James displayed the finished toy. The pair then proceeded to sample the actual food components, beginning with the chips which they found indistinguishable from standard McDonald's fries available worldwide.
Disappointing Quality Matches Extraordinary Pricing
When it came to the burger itself, both experts agreed it fell considerably short of expectations given the extraordinary price point. The quality failed to justify the £11.50 expenditure for what should have been a budget-friendly children's meal option.
Completely unimpressed with their expensive discovery, Chelsea offered straightforward advice to fellow travellers: "Make sure you eat before you come to Antalya Airport." Her warning serves as practical guidance for anyone passing through this particular transport hub who might otherwise face similar pricing surprises.
Public Reaction Mirrors Expert Disbelief
The travel experts' experience resonated strongly with viewers who quickly flooded comment sections with their own reactions to the extraordinary pricing. One observer noted "the most traumatic place on earth" while another contributor declared "No thank you! I'm far too tight!" demonstrating widespread agreement about the unreasonable costs.
Some commenters attempted to find silver linings, with one noting "At least the llama is cute. Nice souvenir!" though this hardly justified the meal's exorbitant price according to most reactions.
This incident highlights significant pricing disparities that can catch even experienced travellers off guard, particularly in airport environments where captive audiences sometimes face inflated costs for standard products and services.
