Money abroad

  • It is a good idea to have some currency of the country you are visiting, in cash, before you set off. This can be bought at banks, travel agents or the Post Office before you go.
  • But don't carry all your money with you in cash. Find out about travellers cheques from banks, travel agents or the Post Office. Traveller's cheques are the safest way to take money abroad because they can't be used without your signature. You actually sign twice - once in front of the cashier when you buy the cheques and once when you cash them at the bank or bureau de change when you will be asked for proof of identity.
  • The advantage of traveller's cheques is that if you lose them you can get your money back. But make sure you follow the instructions on the cheques about keeping a separate note of the cheque numbers and the receipt, so you know which cheques have been lost.
  • You can also use a credit card (Visa, Access, American Express and so on) abroad if you have one. In some countries you can use credit cards in a cashpoint machine. When you get local currency from a machine abroad, your credit card company will make a charge - usually about two and a half per cent of the amount you get out. Check your credit card agreement for further details.
»