Where is best to keep euros and travellers cheques?

Question

we are going on holiday (first time) in a month, but as we have no credit cards, we are taking all our money in either cash or travellers cheques. i have been put off by friends saying that the safes in hotel rooms are not safe. where do you keep your money etc??

thanks :)

Answer 1

I will assume that since you have no credit cards you're very young. I travelled to Italy when I was a teenager and didn't have a credit card and will admit I was way too proud to wear a money belt (sorry to those who do). I think they look very 'touristy' which will make you even MORE of a target for thieves, and bullcrap to the people who say they can be hidden because most females wear tight clothing. Anyway, safes in hotel rooms are your responsibility and if someone breaks into your room and steals from that safe, you're s.o.l. However, you may request to keep passports and other *real* valuables at the front desk safe. As for your money, I keep mine in my bra everywhere I go. Bars, restaurants, travelling, everywhere. No one can discreetly steal from there without you noticing! Another option is to tuck it into your socks if you aren't wearing sandals. I did see an advertisement online once for a belt that has a secret little zipper on the INSIDE of the belt (the part that goes against your jeans, not the loopholes) which looked pretty cool but I don't wear belts so I never got it. Perhaps you could look that up if you're partial to wearing belts?

Best of luck!

Answer 2

It's very unwise to travel with large sums of cash, and travelers cheques are becoming unwelcome and hard to use.

To answer your question, most hotels will have a front desk with safes. Those are much better to use and very secure. The safe in your hotel room is good but only for minor things like to store your passport, and travelers cheque register.

However the best way to get cash abroad is with your bank ATM card. If you use it at bank locations that have the same symbol as your card, you only pay a normal small fee for using an ATM (often only $2-3 max). Your bank won't charge you for changing money currency as will happen with travelers cheques or exchanging cash. You will often be charged around 10% to change money in a foreign country. The saving and convenience and really add up over a trip.

You would be wise to get a credit card for convince and safety. Credit cards have built in safety required by the government that will protect you in case of fraud. Money can be stolen, and travelers cheques will lose value as they are used. Most hotels want a credit card when you check in, they don't like dealing in cash.

Answer 3

A travellers money belt is an absolute must for you if you are gonna carry things around with you you can get ones for almost anywhere (leg puch, bra pouch, waist pouch, they even have some that look like real leather belts).

I would also recommend an American Express Travellers Check CARD there are some fees and silly things but it is invaluable if it gets lost or stolen and more widely accepted than travellers checks these days. It turns your money into a credit card. and if you get into trouble money-wise a friend or family member back home can load money onto it.

here is some info:
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,18622,00.asp

Answer 4

I agree with all the folks here--don't use traveler's checks, don't carry a lot of money, use the ATM.

One note: don't use your debit card, use a credit card. A lot of debit cards don't have the same security protections as do credit cards (if it's lost or stolen).

Here's a couple of good money belts for the cash that you do carry:
http://dyna.magellans.com/cgi-bin/mitcus/dyna/dynaMCi57D?page_number=1

Answer 5

If you have a bank debit card, use that. You are charged a small amount for the transaction at an ATM, but at least you only need take out what you need.

Answer 6

Yes, I think that the credit card is one of the best option...

However..

try to get a little bag :
You put your ID and money in it, and you put this "small bag" behind your T-shirt...

My english is bad I know, but I try to improve myself !

But the idea is here !!

Answer 7

I suggest you reconsider credit cards - they are much safer and easy to carry with you. Many banks support the visa debit card so you are not charged interest.

Answer 8

maximum funds friendly is something digital. hence, ATM's and credit enjoying cards often grant the ideal costs. I even have observed that some credit enjoying cards will levy a value, so the ATM may be even better.