Traveling Tips: Use Credit Cards When Possible

Use Credit Cards When Possible

You will get the best exchange rate for foreign currency from an ATM. If you must have local money on arrival, exchange only as much as you will need at the airport on departure or arrival, then use ATMs while you are in the country. (There are some exceptions - for example, it is almost impossible to obtain Hungarian currency anywhere but in Hungary, but they will gladly take dollars). Use credit cards as much as possible for a good exchange rate. If you are a business traveler, you will have a much more accurate accounting of your expenses. Learn the exchange rate as soon as possible - for example if there are 6 Francs to an American dollar, memorize the value of 20, 50, 75, 100, and 500 francs. This will help a great deal when trying to figure out how much something really costs.