Travelling with alot of cash - problem at Passport Control?

szam_

Good afternoon,

I'm going on my first ever holiday abroad in a few months, so this is all kind of new to me. I'm going to Montenegro via. Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.

Everything is now booked up, including transfers etc. I was planning on getting a Prepaid Euro Card as advised on here. However the hotel states "No credit cards accepted, only cash". As did all the of hotels in the area when i was booking it a few months ago.

So basically, i need to take around 800 euros in cash (Hotel, Taxi and City Tax) However i have had it mentioned a few times that people frown upon you having a large amount of cash going through the airport (i think it was about £300 or euros, can't remember which).

What is the protocol for taking a large sum of money away? As if i took just my prepaid card i can only take out 300 euros a day.

Any and all advice/help appreciated.

Thanks

A first time traveller

aliasojo

Could you take printouts of your hotel booking showing the cash only requirement?

Or could you transfer the cash to them from your bank account before you leave?

Seems strange that they take bookings with no payment.

Bob_the_Saver

Sorry but 800 Euro is not a LOT of cash (especially the way it's going) familys in front of me in the queue at Tesco seem to spend more than that. I don't think that anybody at the airport will bother at all, 16 x 50 Euro notes will fit in your wallet without a problem.

Just say you're flying via Rome and want to buy a coffee in the airport.

szam_

aliasojo wrote: »

Could you take printouts of your hotel booking showing the cash only requirement?

Or could you transfer the cash to them from your bank account before you leave?

Seems strange that they take bookings with no payment.

It is a booking, i get charged 30% if i cancel (essentially a deposit since either way, they get that money).

I will be taking confirmation of the booking anyway (which it does state that on), i was a little worried that it might be a bit suspicious.

I'm probably just overreacting to be honest but i thought i'd just get some opinion/advice on it just to be sure, with it being first holiday abroad and all that, I just want it to go well with the least hassle possible.

worried_jim

Only may be an issue if you are taking more than £10k in cash.

gibson123

The rules about cash are to prevent money-laundering, your holiday cash is not going to worry them.

mrcow

If it's only £800 then it's not really a lot of money. I wouldn't worry or mention it to anyone (unless you're looking to get mugged).

mrcow

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Just say you're flying via Rome and want to buy a coffee in the airport.

With only £800? They know you'd be lying!

scottishperson2

worried_jim wrote: »

Only may be an issue if you are taking more than £10k in cash.

10,000 euros, not pounds.

angelil

I wouldn't take as much as that, on the assumption that they probably have cash machines where you're going and you'll be able to get the hotel bill money out the day before you check out...I honestly find that banks charge no more at the cash machine than the bureaux de change do.

stephb34

A Prepaid card isnt a credit card have you emailed or rung the hotel to see if they take prepaid cards or debit cards. Can you do a transfer the day before you go.