Spending money for Australia

hidden_sacrifice

We are going on honeymoon to Australia in August. We have paid for everything but don't know how. Much to take as spending money. We want to avoid using our cards due to the fees but not sure how much we will need to take.

We are going for 2 weeks, 5 nights self catered in the Gold Coast, 2 nights travelling by car to Cairns, 3 nights there and then flight to Sydney and staying there for 2 nights. We have already booked various activities and days out so we only need spending money for food/drink/etc and petrol. How much would you estimate we need as I have never been before so have no idea what the cost of living is like over there.

PeacefulWaters

The Big Mac index suggests food prices (well, one specific food) is about 10% cheaper is Australia.

http://www.statista.com/statistics/274326/big-mac-index-global-prices-for-a-big-mac/

eDicky

hidden_sacrifice wrote: »

We want to avoid using our cards due to the fees but not sure how much we will need to take.

You have plenty of time to arrange suitable cards without fees, then you can spend as needed. It will cost much less than buying cash AUD at a less favourable rate, and then losing again changing back any left over. See the MSE advice:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

HappyMJ

hidden_sacrifice wrote: »

We are going on honeymoon to Australia in August. We have paid for everything but don't know how. Much to take as spending money. We want to avoid using our cards due to the fees but not sure how much we will need to take.

We are going for 2 weeks, 5 nights self catered in the Gold Coast, 2 nights travelling by car to Cairns, 3 nights there and then flight to Sydney and staying there for 2 nights. We have already booked various activities and days out so we only need spending money for food/drink/etc and petrol. How much would you estimate we need as I have never been before so have no idea what the cost of living is like over there.

I would get a card that does not have fees for spending in Australia as per the previous response in the thread

Otherwise food (eating out) isn't that much more expensive than the UK. Labour costs are higher so it does cost slightly more. Drinks are slightly more expensive so it really depends on how much and what you drink. I'd add about 20% on to what you spend here.

Petrol is far cheaper but you might be driving longer distances than you would have done had you been here. Nothing seems nearby.

Whatever figure you come to you'll either be way under or way over. Converting currency isn't the most efficient way of spending money. The debit card is the cheapest.

If you don't get a new card in time make sure you withdraw no less than £100 to minimize the effect of the fees. The fees are usually 3% or a minimum of £3. That would be about $220. Withdraw $20 and you still pay £3 in fees.

NiftyDigits

Apply for a Creation Everyday CC or the Halifax Clarity. If you don't want to do that, open an instant Revolut account and order the physical card from within the app. Should arrive within a week. No reason for you to use high fee products at all.