How should I take money overseas?

Question

I am going overseas tommorow and I need to take around $1100 with me. What should I do to take my money safely?

Answer 1

The safest way to take money overseas is to leave it in your bank at home.

You can use your current bank ATM card everywhere (as long as it has a 4 digit PIN), it's the cheapest and easiest way to get cash overseas. As long as you are using foreign bank ATM machines you hardly pay anything to get your cash. The foreign bank doesn't charge you to use it's ATM machine, and your bank will only charge you a dollar or two. The best part is you get the exact exchange rate with no extra charges to change money. As long as you are not handing out your pin number, your money is completely safe at all times.

When you land at the airport, there will be at least one, more likely several, foreign bank ATM machines. Just put your card in and get your money. There is not need to take dollars overseas or get travelers checks. You probably want to take a credit card with you as back up. Make a copy of your passport and carry that with you, you don't want to be carrying your passport around on your body. That is a quick way to lose it, just leave it in your room safe or at the front desk safe.

Answer 2

I have found that putting most of my money in my debit card and just taking a little cash worked well for me.

I have a small calico bag with a long strap that I wear under my clothes (it crosses over from shoulder to waist, very lightweight), and keep my passport, credit card and money in it, except for a small amount of local currency to buy everyday goods. I keep my big notes in the little bag and if I run out of small money, I go to the loo and get a larger note and then break it.

Personally, I would say just be careful the same as at home.

Don't flash your money about for anyone to see, and only get it out when you are actually going to pay for something.

More importantly, keep an eye on your passport.

Hope you have fun :-)