Hundreds of thousands of desperate Britons are rushing back from France today after the government added the country to its quarantine list.
They have until 4am to return to the UK or face a 14 day quarantine.
Tourists have piled onto trains, planes and cars as they try to get back to the UK before the deadline.
However, they are facing far higher costs than usual, with some flights up as much as 1000 per cent amid a surge in demand.
A Ryanair flight from Nantes in France to Edinburgh tonight costs almost £250, while the exact same flight costs just £21.64 next week.
That is an increase of 1,037 per cent.
The trend is mirrored among other carriers, with a BA flight from Nice to Heathrow at 9pm this evening costing £770 – but just £92 next week.
EasyJet is charging 191 per cent more for a flight from Paris to Gatwick tonight, £107 compared to £37 next week.
Pictured: Passengers arrive at St Pancras International Station from Paris today after it was announced Britons returning from France would have to isolate for 14 days from Saturday
People wait at Dover to cross the Channel to France as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there ‘has to be a cut-off’ in regards to a time period for those being mandated to self-isolate on their return to the UK from abroad
Ferries and trains are also seeing huge increases in costs for anxious Britons trying to get home.
Eurostar is charging an extra £84.50 for ticket this afternoon, 67 per cent more than a train from next Friday.
A DFDS ferry, which is due to leave Calais for Dover this afternoon, costs £196, while the same trip next Friday costs just £109.
However, even if you are willing to pay top dollar to come home, cancellations and limited services mean that some Britons won’t be able to find any travel.
P&O Ferries has limited availability, while many trains after midday are fully booked.
British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair also claim that as there are fewer flights operating at the moment
Consumer expert Martyn James, from complaints tool Resolver, slammed the prices.
He told the Sun: ‘The prices are just bonkers. It’s shameless for airlines to profiteer from holidaymakers’ desperation.
‘It’s unfair that hard-working Brits will bear the brunt of this.
Passengers wearing face masks as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus walk along the platform to an escalator after arriving on a Eurostar train from Paris at St Pancras International station in London
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken ‘a practical approach’ to the new restrictions. However, the move was criticised by France’s secretary of state for European affairs
‘Those who can’t afford to miss out on work or are unable to work from home will likely be on lower salaries.
‘The vast majority of holidaymakers will have booked before the pandemic.
‘They are not risk takers, they’ve taken government advice and probably have saved for months or years to go on holiday.’
Dyan Crowther, chief executive of the HS1 high-speed London to Channel Tunnel rail link, said it was ‘heartbreaking’ seeing families having to cancel holiday plans and spend hundreds of pounds dashing home to beat quarantine.
She said: ‘It’s heartbreaking, I have a family myself and like many other people I had holidays cancelled this year.
‘People want certainty, they want to know that they can go away without having to worry about what the world will look like when they return.
Ferries are seen in the Port of Dover, as Britain imposes a 14-day quarantine on arrival from France from Saturday
‘My heart goes out to them.’
A spokesperson from easyJet said: ‘As more seats are booked on a flight the price will rise so our fares start low and increase the closer it is to the date of departure.
‘The fares highlighted are a direct result of high demand for flights so fares automatically increase as seats on the aircraft are booked. We do not artificially increase ticket prices.’
A spokesperson from Ryanair said: ‘All of Ryanair’s fares are subject to availability and prices will increase with this demand. Ryanair fares are still half the price of our competitors.’
A Eurostar spokesperson commented: ‘We have seen an increase in last minute bookings following the governments announcement, and as availability has fallen the price on remaining tickets has increased.’
A DFDS spokesperson said: ‘During the summer prices up to £299 may apply on peak departures for a car and up to five people.’For this weekend we have set a maximum (capped fare) of £229, mindful that we have very concerned passengers who wish to get home before the quarantine deadline.’