UK holidaymakers with soon-to-expire passports have mere days to dodge an impending price surge. The cost of passport renewal is set to climb this month, but swift action could secure the current rate before the increase takes effect.

The Government has confirmed a 7% hike in passport fees from April 10. The fee for a standard passport application will jump from £88.50 to £94.50. The cost of childrens passports will also rise, from £57.50 to £61.50. However, applications submitted prior to the April 10 deadline will be processed at the existing rates. The Home Office informed Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) website that 'all applications received before this date will pay the current fee'.

It's crucial to ensure your passport is valid before planning any overseas travel. Even if it hasn't expired, a passport older than 10 years may not be accepted.

According to MSE: "Experts advise to do plenty of checks around your passport before travelling, including if yours is more than 10 years old, or it has less than six months before it expires.

"Don't assume everything is fine just because your passport is valid for the duration of your stay. Countries have a variety of rules about how long you need left, and how old the passport can be. Since Brexit, this includes most EU countries too."

The most economical way to renew your passport is through online application. MSE has issued a clear directive for those looking to secure a passport: "The only site you'll ever need to go to is the Gov.uk website.

"It has options for getting your first passport, renewing an old one or getting one for your child. You can apply online, which is the cheapest option, or by paper at the Post Office."

Despite the convenience of online applications, many individuals still opt for the traditional postal method, which incurs higher fees. From April 10, adult postal applications will see a price hike to £107, nearly £15 more than their online counterparts.

Children's passports are not exempt from this increase, with postal applications set to cost £74, marking up nearly £12 more than online submissions.

Travellers are advised to ensure their passports comply with their destination's entry requirements before arranging travel and to verify the passport's start date.

A surge in travellers has been caught off-guard by new regulations that render their passports 'expired' even if they appear valid due to technicalities. Some destinations may demand up to six blank pages in a passport for entry.

Those who discover their passport's invalidity too late may be forced to shell out for a Fast Track service, which comes at a steep price.

Come April, the fee for a one-day application will soar to £222, over twice the standard rate. For children requiring the one-day Premium Service, the cost will be £189, which is an additional £115.