Long Holiday; cash/ travellers cheques/ card

essentialjim

Hi, I was just looking for some advice on how best to break up the amount of cash, travellers cheques and debit/ credit card for when we go on our honeymoon.

All hotels and transport etc is all paid for so the money will literally be to spend on ourselves. We have £4,000 total and were thinking of taking small denominations of cash for each country for when we initially arrive but then the rest in travellers cheques OR would it be better to just take debit/ credit cards (i have a HSBC visa debit and my wife has the same along with an Alliance and Leicester credit card).

We are going to:

- Hong Kong for 4 days
- Chiang Mai (Thailand) for 6 days
- Koh Lanta (Thailand for 6 days
- Cambodia 6 days

Any advice is more than welcome.

Thanks

Donnie

Metro Bank current account in conjunction with Santander Zero for purchases.

Hmmm....when you wrote long holiday, I had some months in mind. Now I see it's just over three weeks. :mad:

I guess it's up to you as to how much trouble you wish to take over a three week holday.

Bear in mind the Thai cash points take a usurious amount of 150 baht from your card for each withdrawal, in addition to whatever other charges that you will normally encounter.

In this case, carrying cash and Sterling travellers cheques(for Thailand) can also be prudent. Some US$ for Cambodia may also be useful, though you may be able to use a cashpoint for those once there.

So, a mix of the above.

markandkate

Cambodia is almost exclsively $ and if you go to the ATM that is what you will get. when leaving the country you will ahve to pay departure tax and it is useful to get small amounts from ATM's so that you are not stuck with odd bits of currency.

there is much discussion in these forums about which bank account is best and I think on balance I would rather pay a fee than worry about being robbed.

Susan1942

I am going to be in Australia for over 8 weeks and did the same a couple of years ago.
On that occasion I took enough cash for about 3 weeks and then withdrew money using my debit card. There was a charge and I am unsure if this depended on the amount or was just a standard charge.
This time I am hoping to be a bit wiser and withdraw that which is best for me financially.
Appreciate any views. I do have a Post Office and a Nationwide credit card but Nationwide now charge unless it is in the EU.

Thanks

Sue

CountryGoose

I would take a Halifax Clarity card and draw all my cash on that as I needed it, and when you knew that machines would be available. Use a direct debit to clear your bill as you go.

I personally would not pre-load the Credit Card, much as I would not use my UK debit card abroad. Either would allow criminals to spend real money from your account there and then. With credit card you have the opportunity to challenge any charges before you hand over your cash. With a FairFX card you can choose how much to load and "risk". With your Bank Account they could have the lot, as they could with a fully preloaded credit card. Yes - you may get the cash back, but banks seem to be a little slower at giving back than getting from you......

Additionally, I would take a couple of other credit cards as backup, £200 or $300 in cash hidden away and a FairFX Card which could be used if the Clarity Card Card was lost.

shaunskankdog

in cambodia take $US, mix of large and small
they give small change in local currency.
you pay departure tax at airport in £US....make sure they are new and crisp...no creases...they refused me on a local tour as the notes were creased.