dazm26
backpacker
Posts: 19

#1 Posted: 28/12/2007 - 01:21


Now Xmas is out the way i have one month until i go away to SE ASIA on my own and im just starting to come over with huge excitement quickly followed by a lot of nerves!!

I am wondering how best to take my money to SE ASIA, im going to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and am taking about £2500, firstly is this enough im going for 3months????

How do i take my money i have USD in cash to take and i guess the resr in my Natiownide account i now have, should i take any travellers cheques???

Thanks guys!!!

Dazza

goo_stewart
tout
Posts: 65

#2 Posted: 28/12/2007 - 11:56


Your money should be enough for your trip, depending on your social past times (drinking etc.).

As for how to take it, TCs are the safest, you can withdraw from ATMs in most countries (Visa is the most popular). Cash is a risk because of theft.

Whenever I go, I carry 400 USD at a time, enough to stop me going to the ATM frequently, no so much that I would be heart broken to lose it to a thief.

In Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam the local currency is the currency of choice, in Cambodia the USD is king.

Jon_Mak_Mak
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 166

Located in:
United Kingdom

#3 Posted: 28/12/2007 - 16:42


Hey, Keep most of it in your Nationwide Account and take some with you in travellers cheques. Nationwide does not charge you for using the cash machines abroad so you can just get your cash out ATM's as and when you need it. I would recommend taking some T/C as a back up. If you lost your card you can fall back on them.

I always keep most in the account (Nationwide) and T/C but also take a couple of hundred cash aswell. Best not to have all your money in one place init. ;)

Have a nice trip.

exacto
som tam seller
Posts: 664

#4 Posted: 28/12/2007 - 22:49


Hi Dazm26,

Since the five countries you mention all have well-developed ATM networks, I'd just use your Nationwide ATM card to withdraw money from ATMs from time to time as needed. That's particularly true since, at Jon_Mak_Mak says, the Nationwide card is very low fee.
The ATMs typically dispense local currency, except in Cambodia where you get US dollars from the ATM, which is what everyone prefers anyway.

I'd keep a small reserve in Travellers Checks (particularly if you can get them for no fee) and a bit of cash on hand too for emergencies.

You'll find lots of other tips and good info about money and travel in SEA in the following Travelfish feature article:

http://www.travelfish.org/feature/103

Have a good trip.