Comments on: Banking on the Road

By: Rapid

Rapid — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:43:46 +0000

One tip on exchange rates that I picked up from experience – unless you’re using the Euro, exchange any leftover foreign currency before heading back to the States. I accidentally withdrew a large quantity of Hungarian Florints and brought them back to the US with me to exchange, but my bank gave me a miserably low rate and I couldn’t find anywhere that was willing to give me a decent one. With everyone switching over to the Euro, it’s becoming harder and harder to find US banks dealing in other European currencies.

By: brien

brien — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:21:43 +0000

I carry a waterproof plastic card case from REI. People always are surprised when I pull money out of it to pay for things, so i figure that’s a good sign. I’ve also found that in Poland, anyway, you don’t need your passport for checking in to hostels or things like that, so I leave it secured in my place rather than walk around with it. Other then when I entered or left the country, I was never asked for it in Thailand, Australia or New Zealand, but did need it in Cambodia several times, particularly at Angkor Wat. In Australia, my (then) gf hid her passport very cleverly, then forgot about it until we were nearly two hours away by car on the day of our departure from Sydney. We drove back speeding in between the speed cameras and managed to make it ok. So I recommend hiding it within the creases and nooks of luggage or in a safe if available.

By: Quickroute

Quickroute — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:18:05 +0000

I have a Nationwide a/c from the UK which operates the same as a credit union – no atm fees – no ridiculous fx rates only it got swallowed a while back and now I’m using a different card and getting fleeced as I await the replacement!