6 Travel Tips for Dealing with Money

Next week I depart for India (OMG). As I gather up my clothes, electronics, passport, toiletries and books, I’m also sorting out my currency for the month-long trip. Here’s what works for me and what I suggest for others preparing for a trip abroad.

1. Carry cash. Depending on the length of your trip and where you’re going, you’ll want to carry at least a couple hundred dollars to get you through airports, taxi rides, hotels and anything else that might come up until you have access to an ATM machine. For my trip, because I’m confident that I’ll have access to ATM machines in the major cities in India (and because everything is so incredibly cheap), I plan on taking about $400 in 20’s.

(Photo courtesy of PPDigital)

2. Carry travelers checks. I know. Some people think these have gone out of favor. However, get stuck in a village when the power goes down or where ATMs simply don’t exist, and you may literally be stuck with no money if you don’t have travelers checks or enough cash. In some countries, Costa Rica for example, hotels treat travelers checks like cash and will often give you a 10% discount if you pay with either currencies. It’s far safer to carry travelers checks over cash, too, but don’t forget to keep a backup list of their numbers in case they get lost or stolen.

3. Carry both credit and debit cards. I carry just one of each. I use the debit card at ATM machines to get cash in the local currency. You’ll usually get a better rate at a bank, too, as opposed to a kiosk that offers to change your dollars. I use my credit card for any larger purchases as I have a card that gives me mileage on Northwest Airlines. Your bank may charge a percentage of the transaction so educate yourself on what this will be and factor that into the final purchase price.

4. Call your bank(s). ALWAYS call them before you leave to let them know you’ll be traveling out of the country. Otherwise, they may deny purchases thinking that your card was stolen.

5. Direct dial numbers. Make sure to have the non-toll-free number of your bank(s) as toll-free numbers don’t work from abroad. Banks and credit card companies usually accept collect calls.

6. Carry your money in several locations. I carry my cash, cards and passport on my person - either in a neck pouch or moneybelt that is not easily accessible. I have a leg pouch for this trip which I’ll velcro around my calf. I then keep a small amount of cash in a change purse or front pocket that is easily accessible for small purchases and local transportation. If I’m out shopping, I may keep a bit more in a third location, like in my PacSafe bag or tucked into my bra, so that I don’t have to fish around in my moneypouch to buy a pair of earrings or a textile.

Leg Pouch from Eagle Creek

How do YOU deal with money while on the road?

Happy Travels!