Backpacking Soon - Best way to take your money

Sanchez

Sanchez

Sanchez

Soldato
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20 Oct 2002
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I'll be travelling to the States for about 5 week in just over a months time. Obviously I'll be taking a decent amount of money with me (circa £1000) and I don't want to be walking around with a grand in my back pocket (or backpack) so can anyone tell me how they took theirs?

I was thinking about a Post Office travel card but they charge you to withdraw money (free if using it as a debit card, perhaps it would be okay for paying for accommodation etc). Perhaps travellers cheques might be best along with some hard cash. Anyone got any suggestions or experiences from when they went travelling?
 
I've not been to America yet but whenever I've been travelling elsewhere (Canada and various European countries) I've just used ATM machines, you might get charged a fee but in my case it was something like £1.50 or 2% of the total transaction which is a pretty small price to pay for the convenience.
 
Nationwide current account doesn't charge you for withdrawals, I used this card on my 10months around the world.
 
For the US I would take something like $500 cash and your cards. Most cards will work but if you wan't to make sure you could setup an AmEx account from a British branch.
 
Just use atms, HSBC charge between £1-2 per withdrawal, completely worth the peace of mind of not carrying large sums.
 
I guess I might have to use ATMs. I'm just concerned about the crap exchange rate and charges. Perhaps I should stop being such a tight git! It is a small price to pay for piece of mind.
 
I find I get a better rate when using a cashpoint compared to "comission free" exchanges here, so the £1.50 cost isn't really that high when taking in the better rate.
 
highly recommend the nationwide card also...

its the only thing i use when abroad... hell i only use it when im abroad... think i have about 56p in there ATM lol
 
Steeps said:
I find I get a better rate when using a cashpoint compared to "comission free" exchanges here, so the £1.50 cost isn't really that high when taking in the better rate.
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Agreed. Just use the atms, it actually works out cheaper than any other means since the spread is much smaller.
 
Depending where you are if you're taking cards, make sure you have a Visa or (preferably) AMEX, there are some out of the way places where not much else is accepted.
 
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