Great 'What's the best currency to take to Turkey, Israel, Laos, and more?' Hunt

Doshwaster wrote: »

The first time I went to India (about 10 years ago), a lot of people wanted tips in USD or Sterling but on recent trips it has been Rupees only.

Just remember with India, that although it is possible to buy Rupees in a few places here, the Rupee is a closed currency and technically you are not supposed to be able to buy it outside India. On my first trip I did take rupees with me that I got here, but was warned that they can be confiscated at the airport if they scan you/baggage and find them. This didnt happen to me, and I recently gave mine that I came back with to a colleague who just wanted a handful to start her trip with. She didnt have issues either. On our second trip I took only sterling and used my credit card once there.

Buying some jewellery, we didn't have enough in rupees but they were more than happy to take my sterling to balance the bill. I wish I had more as the rate was really good!

Cambodia, as others have said definitely, USD.

Egypt, USD tips seem to go down well, and at one hotel in Cairo it was easier to change USD than sterling.

In Asia generally, (HK, Singapore, Taiwan, china, Malaysia, Korea) don't bother with tenners! I've had numerous issues at 5* hotels, and money changing booths, where they get funny about £10 notes, even to the point where a Chinese hotel told me my money was fake!!! But in the markets I've been able to use £10 and £20 notes.

Also in Asia, maybe other places too (like Russia), be aware of the fact that not all ATMs take our cards, and I don't mean that they don't work with our banks. In Japan some ATMs require a different card type.

In India some ATMs have strange rules depending on the region, so in Agra for instance I couldn't withdraw £200 because the machine had a transaction limit as well as a daily limit... This wasn't explained in English, and we found out from our guide.

Having just come back from living in Laos for four years here is my take on the situation.

Vientiane, the capital, is very close to the Thai border. Most travelers only stay for a couple of days as they are on visa runs from Thailand, or are applying for visas to neighboring countries like Myanmar or Vietnam. Therefore it is common to see tourists with little or no Lao Kip.

USD is widely accepted, but the exchange rate used in shops hotels etc is very bad, especially for small purchases. Hotel room rates are often quoted in USD however.

Thai baht is widely accepted (many shops buy their goods in Thailand, so cutting out exchange rates is a big plus for them) but again the rate they use is not so good.

Euros are accepted in some shops.

All change given, no matter what currency you use , will be in Kip.

ATMs are getting widespread, but some local banks only accept their own cards. ANZ and also Banque Franco-Lao allow withdrawals up to 2 million kip, (160 quid approx). The fee for using their ATM is about 3 quid, plus your bank's fee. Thai banks are OK, but allow only 1 million kip withdrawals, but charge the same fee. The rate the banks use is fair.

Use bank currency exchanges for best rates, not any free standing currency exchange booths near your hotel. Anyone using an airport/border crossing currency exchange needs their head examined and shouldn't travel unless under supervision. (The taxi service at Vientiane airport quotes trips to the town in USD, and your tuk-tuk driver at the border crossing will gladly negotiate the fare with you in Thai baht.)

cordi13 wrote: »

I am travelling in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for a month and intend to withdraw most of my money from the ATM whilst there. Does anyone have any advice on the best card to use to do this without being stung with hefty charges?

There is an article here on the best way to spend abroad:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/foreign-currency-exchange

The Halifax Clarity card seems to be the way to go - there is no charge for withdrawing cash overseas from ATMs (other than any impossed by the bank operating the ATM itself). Think you are charged a small amount of interest on any cash withdrawals though.

Dynamo1 wrote: »

Olu Deniz in Turkey preferred you to pay in Sterling. You could also get a far better rate when exchanging sterling at local shops than offered at Forex dealers in London.

Is that in most of the bars and restaurants too? What do they like to be tipped with and how much?

Focusedonsaving wrote: »

Any advice on best currency to spend in Brazil?

I'll be in Brazil next week and was wondering if anyone knew the best currency to take along i.e. GBP, USD or Brazilian Real?

We took Brazilian Real and it was accepted (and expected) everywhere.