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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL -
Foreign Exchange (continued)
4. Whatever foreign currency you have at the end of your trip (and it should be a small amount) you can exchange for your native currency at the money exchange booths at the airport. The fee will be a high percentage but that is little matter if the amount of currency being exchanged is small. If for some reason you have a lot of foreign currency at the end of your trip, use most of it to settle your hotel bill, or make sure you stop at one of the local banks before you leave the last town you are visiting to exchange the money into your native currency. The percent fee charged will be less than the money exchange booths at the airport. However, make sure you keep enough for cabs and tips at the airport. And, if for any reason, you arrive home with a bundle of foreign currency in your pocket, you local bank will probably be able to exchange it for you.
5. Because of the availability of both credit cards and ATM cards, there is no need to obtain Travelers Checks for international travel or for domestic travel (in fact, some places do not even accept Travelers Checks any more). This is particularly true if you have more than one credit card. If two people are traveling together, each person should carry a different credit card, and each should carry the phone number of the credit card company carried by the other person. If one person loses their wallet or purse containing the credit card, the other person will still have the other credit card available for use, and will also have the information needed to contact the credit card company to cancel the lost card. Most credit card companies will replace your credit card quickly while you are still on your trip. Likewise, if both people are carrying their ATM card, and one of the cards is lost, the other card is still available for use. Since a PIN number is needed to use the ATM card, the ATM card will probably not need to be voided during the trip (although you should still report its loss to your bank as soon as possible).
Additional International Travel Tips
1. Talking with friends and family back home can be a challenge, and very costly, when traveling internationally. In most areas overseas, your U.S. cell phone will not work, and if it does, prices can be very expensive. Check with your provider if you want to see if service is available and the cost. If you have a U.S. prepaid phone card, or a credit card that provides phone services, check to see if it can be used internationally and what it will cost. Otherwise, your best bet is to buy a prepaid phone card in the country you are visiting that can be used for international calls. These are generally readily available at local stores and kiosks.
2. Using the Internet is also a way to communicate with home. If you are traveling with your own computer, you may be able to get Internet access through your hotel, or perhaps in some Internet hot spots. More likely, you will choose to stop into an Internet cafe in a town you are visiting, and send some emails, as well as retrieve your email. Costs for these services are generally reasonable.
3. Many countries have excellent public transportation, including buses, subways and trains. If you are visiting such a country, take advantage of this form of transportation. Train travel in Europe is particularly affordable. You might even choose to spend a night on a train for a little extra excitement. But, if you do, you can save some money by bringing a meal and snacks with you, since food prices on the trains can often be very high.
4. Like in the United States, often there are free attractions in foreign countries. Try to locate these attractions and enjoy the sights while saving some money. Look for these attractions on the Internet at such sites as FreeInEurope.com. Many of the churches in Europe are magnificent, and can usually be seen at no charge.
5. Check to see if your medical insurance will cover any problems you experience when out of the country. You may want to consider buying a separate policy for the time you are out of the country.
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