How should I handle money for a month long trip to London, England? Primarily travelers cheques? Credit card?

Question

Should I put the bulk of my spending money into travelers cheques (in pounds sterling)? Or should I primarily rely on my credit and debit cards?

Answer 1

I used my debit card mostly that way you avoid commissions fees at exchange places. London is very expensive so I prepaid as many activities as possible. You can purchase 'The London Pass' for about 180 USD for 6 days, and unlimited public travel for those six days. You can see hundreds of attractions with the pass. Carry as little cash as possible and I would use travelers cheques for what cash you carry. Do not exchange currency at the airport...they have the highest rates and commissions. With the London Pass you can also exchange currency commission free at certain locations. Have fun!

Answer 2

I have found debit cards to be the most reliable way to pay in London, since I able to pay for purchases and withdraw cash (which you will certainly need along the way!). You need to make sure you have enough money in your account to cover your whole trip--make sure you consider the exchange rate when you're budgeting for the trip. Also, warn your bank that you're going, as you don't want them canceling your card while you're away. Keep information about your card in a separate, safe location, and check your receipts--many vendors will print your whole card number instead of just the last four digits!

You will want to carry a bit of cash, as some places have minimum purchase requirements for using a card, and an emergency back up credit card. I have never found travelers cheques to be useful when traveling abroad, as they tend to get the worst exchange rates. If you pre-buy travelers cheques in pounds you may get a better rate than exchanging dollars, but you're also stuck with that exchange rate for the whole trip--it's a gamble.

By the way, if you're staying and traveling in central London through most of your stay I highly recommend getting a tube pass. If you pre-pay for a month you'll get a steep discount from daily tube pass rates, plus you'll save time waiting in line every day!

Answer 3

Definitly use a credit card. I took travellers checks to London and I was given the run around at several money changers to get Sterling Pounds for them. THen I tried to deposit them at a bank and it took nearly TWO WEEKS for them to clear.

If you decide to take a credit card, just make sure to call your company up first and give them notice, as they might feel that if you live in 'Somewhere, Nebraska' and there is a charge coming through from London, it could be the work of a credit card thief and they will freeze the account and tell you-which you won't get the answer for b/c you will be in London. So definitly tell them first!

Answer 4

I would suggest you only use your credit cards in case of an emergency. The reason being is that when you go into an establishment and purchase something ( Food, merchandise,etc.) the price may be ? pounds. But when the charges actually go through your account it could be a lot more money. Due to the exchange rate. American express has special travelers checks now that are even safer than before. Check into there check card as well.

Answer 5

I just returned. Take travelers check's. Most Marks and Spencer's have Bureau de exchange. So do post offices. You will keep your numbers seperately so if you do lose them, you can get them replaced.

Take a credit card for back-up. But, before you go you will need to notify the fraud department (the number should be on the back of your card) to tell them to expect international charges. Otherwise they will think your card is stolen.

Figure on the exchange rate to be 50% of US. So 100 bucks will get you about 50 pounds sterling.

Also, if you are going to London, check on the London City pass which will give you a lot of discounts and rail pass. Just search London City Pass.

Have a great time.

Answer 6

Bring a credit card/ATM(Plus, Cirrus, Star) card - but check your bank policies on overseas usage. Some charge several dollars per use - some do not. I try to have a few pounds on me at all times - otherwise, the best exchange rates are on credit cards, and my ATM gets me more cash. Oh - be SURE that you have a four digit PIN - UK machines do not accept 3 digit PIN's. Traveler's Cheques are expensive to exchange - and can be a pain to deal with.

Answer 7

Definately a VISA or Mastercard - I brought both last month when I was on London and honestly, it's either cash or credit. I had more trouble fining out where to cash my cheques. Bank cards work as well, if you have a 4 digit code.

Answer 8

Debit and credit cards are the way to go! A lot of large purchases can be made with credit card no problem (eg. shopping at stores, booking day trips, etc.) and there are cashpoints everywhere to withdraw cash. Check with your bank- some don't even charge fees to withdraw from certain other banks. For example, I am with Scotia bank in Canada, and I could withdraw cash from Barclay's cashpoints in the UK for free! You can find a lot of bureau de changes at touristy areas, but they usually have bad exchange rates.

Answer 9

i wouldnt bother about credit cards, fraud is still hot in the city, so i would say t/cheques, and only take out of your hotel room what you really need, i know that the cheques can be replaced but it takes a bit of time and its hassle, so just keep ur wits about you when ur there, and yes its sad to have 1 but a bum bag or 1 of those bags that go over your shoulder but under ur jumper would be a good investment, and have fun in London and as to what daiunus said, about the city not havind credit card payments, dont listen to that, its one of the most advanced citys in the world

Answer 10

I visited London a couple of months ago-My debit card was the most convenient and cheapest way to go. I tried exchanging cash at the airport-BIG MISTAKE-just use your credit or debit card.