My wife and I are leaving for the UK and Europe on vacation at the end of this month. We both have Visa Credit cards, issued by our bank in South Africa.
What is the safest and cheapest way of taking spending money on such a vacation? Are the two credit cards sufficient, or do we need traveller's checques or cash?
2006-07-21 03:37:03 · 2 answers · asked by Stefaans 3 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
I would take very little cash and no traveler's checks. I travel with my bank card. That way, I get the best exchange rate and pay no transaction fees but what the bank charges for each ATM withdrawal. Also, I can get how much I want when I want, no lines, and I can get the local currency as I move from country to country.
I've only had trouble once when I was in Slovenia, but that was about 8 years ago. At that time, my bank card was not a Master Card or a Visa, it was just a card from my bank that was compatible with Cirrus. Even though the ATM indicated that it recognized Cirrus, it wouldn't take my card. However, my sister had a Visa debit card from her bank, and she was able to get money no problem. In that same year I used my card in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria.
2006-07-21 07:42:27 · answer #1 · answered by tianjingabi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would take some traveller's checks, and exchange for Euros at a bank when you get there. But most places take credit cards so you should be able to use those for most purchases.
2006-07-21 03:41:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋