whats the best way to carry money when ur travelling (back packing)?

Answer 1

Use a money belt (next to the skin) to put passport, credit card and lumps of cash in. Have a small amount of every day currency in a front trouser pocket. By all means have a dummy wallet in a back trouser pocket for easy pickpocketing. Keep main funds in an Internet bank account and transfer as needs dictate (there are always Internet cafes) into a cash account and withdraw as and when. As another poster wrote, Nationwide is excellent for this - e-savings pays interest, flex account allows free access to funds through ATMs at a good exchange rate with no charges AND they give you a visa debit card (not credit) so if the worst comes to the worst and you are robbed rotten, the perpetrators can't run up an enormous bill, only what the funds allow.

Answer 2

I had my wallet with the money I needed at the time and some travellers cheques, in my small backpack and my big back pack that I didn't take everywhere with me had some more travellers cheques in. in case I got mugged, and if my big bag was stolen travellers cheques can be replaced.

I had one of those round your waist things that you are supposed to put your valuables in. I used this in airports, but generally day in day out couldn't be bothered to use it.

I also had 2 cards, I kept one on me at all times and the other in my back pack.

The most important thing is know what you've got and where you put it. It will save you a load of panic!

Answer 3

In a soft cloth money belt tied to fit inside your underpants next to your skin if a bloke, inside your bloke's underpants if you're a woman. Carry plaggie cards there too, even a couple of passports as well as stamps to write home with. Also carry a dummy few dollars and coins in a fairly obvious visible dummy moneybelt. Let 'em nick that, keep 'em happy, keep you unharmed. Best of luck all the same, however. Backpacking's not for the the stupid nowadays.

Answer 4

Either carry a debit card or another way is to load cash onto a Visa credit card, it doesn't cost you anything to do. Credit cards don't need to be in debit all the time. You'll be able to get money just about anywhere.
Not only this but should you have any emergencies but haven't enough cash you'll be able to use the facility on the card to be sure.

Answer 5

travellers cheques are definitely much safer than cash but can be a pain to cash. best to carry a mix of travellers cheques, local currency and USD/sterling (depending on where youre going)

moneybelts are pretty useless in my experience. most muggers and pickpockets know what they are and where to find them. they aint daft! (not that i've ever been mugged!)

also you need to keep opening and closing them when you go to pay for things - not a good idea to go flashing all your cash around in public places!

good tips that I picked up

1. if you are walking around sightseeing for the day, never carry more than you can afford to lose

2. put the money you want to spend for the day loosely into a zip pocket, not your wallet/purse. if someone grabs whats in your hand they'll only be getting a small handful of cash rather than your wallet with all your cards etc in it

3. when you are moving from place to place and need to take EVERYTHING with you, split your cash between different pockets on your clothes, different bags, inside pairs of socks etc. Just remember where you've put it all! Although it is cool to find a $100 bill that you forgot about when youre totally skint and still have 3 days to go....

also when crossing borders, dont handle cash in front of the customs guys (unless you're paying for a visa). its not fun trying to convince them you dont want to bribe them

Answer 6

1. A comfortable money pouch around your neck under your clothes
2. A wallet with a chain fastened to your belt loops.
3. Some emergy cash in one of those belts (if you're a man) which have a zip on the inside and a secret space inside.

Register your cards with card guard before you go.

Answer 7

Take a debit card with you, spread money around your person and avoid carrying large amounts in a wallet etc. Best to keep on you as Backpacks are easily cut off your shoulders. Lots of camping shops see security "hidden" money belts etc. These are also advisable. Travellers cheques I wouldn't recommend as they are sometimes difficult to cash in and you can be penalised with charges. Make sure your insurance covers you!!!

Answer 8

i agree with Ian...carry the bulk of your money in a hidden pocket (or one of those money belts which u wear under your clothes and almost undetectable) but carry a small amount on you (jeans pocket etc) so if you are mugged you can hand that over and u dont end up losing too much! Its also handy if you want to buy something!

Another tip is to use a safety pin to pin your purse/wallet to the inside of your bag (or pocket) so if anyone tries to go for it you feel the tug!

Answer 9

Spread out about your person, but keep your passport and debit/credit card in your pocket too in case someone makes off with your bag (or it is lost). I managed OK for four weeks with my passport and wallet in my front jeans pocket, but always kept my hand in or near it; it got a bit damp when I hiked up Yosemite Falls though ;P

I started off with a money belt but soon felt really self concious about getting anything out of it, especially in a place where it was really obvious and lots of people could see me do it. Best to make it look casual and just produce some from a random pocket, at least when you're out and about. I used to sleep with my wallet and passport under my pillow or between the sheets with me.

Answer 10

When travelling in Pakistan years ago, my first stop was a tailor in Karachi to have a denim jacket made with two passport size inside pockets with snap down flaps. A convincing amount of money was carried in my trouser pocket in case of mugging.