dazm26
backpacker
Posts: 19

#1 Posted: 31/1/2008 - 00:33


Hi folkes,

Just a quick question but whats best to take, USD or Sterling travellers cheques to change in SE ASIA, im going to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore!

Thankyou

Daz

exacto
som tam seller
Posts: 643

#2 Posted: 31/1/2008 - 10:51


Hi Daz!

I'd just take whichever denomination was easiest to get, which, since I'm guessing you are in the UK, means Sterling. I've typically travelled with USD-denominated TC's, but that is only because they were easier to get where I was at any given time. Even so, from my observations, people typically don't have any trouble exchanging Sterling in the places you'll be travelling.

Since you'll already be losing a bit of money in the exchange from TC's to local currency, I don't see much reason to exchange your money into USD just to change it into something else.

I usually travel with less than 10% of my travel budget in TC's anyway, carrying a bit of cash as well and typically drawing the rest from ATM's during my trip. As long as you have an ATM card with a 4-digit PIN code, you should be able to do the same, particularly since the places you'll be visiting have well-developed ATM networks. (Check with your bank for network availability and fees.)

Hopefully someone with experience travelling with Sterling-denominated checks will chime in here too.

Cheers.