What's the safe amount of money to travel with?

Question

I'm going travelling in a few weeks & I'm trying to sort out the money I'm taking. I'm going to be gone for 6 months, but there's no way I'm carrying all my money in cash! So I'm already taking my credit & debit card, but was wondering how much cash it is reasonable to carry on your person?

I'm going to be in places like thailand, vietnam & china, and I'm a bit worried about all of the currency changes (is it worth taking any significant amount of cash with me, or should I just stick to my cards & only take some cash for emergency?).

Also I've read in lots of guides that for vietnam it's a good idea to dress down etc, as foreigners are all considered 'rich' by the locals, so now I'm getting a bit worried about being mugged. :s

Feeling a bit stressed, so any help is appreciated! lol

Answer 1

Ok so if I were you I'd cary with me as little amout as possible. When you withdraw cash; take out as much you need for one week and don't carry it all with you when you go out: take with you just as much as you need for that night for example.

When it comes to your fear of being mugged I would advise you to, as you yourself describe it; not flaunt that you're a tourist, which means dress down a bit, don't stand in a big street with you sunglasses and a huge map and look confused, then yes you could get robed. Use common sense, be streetsmart and keep track of your belongings and you're gonna be just fine!

Have a good backup plan if the s***t hits the fan: make an extra copy of your passport and store your creditcard in a safe place, other than that CHILL! vacations are all about having fun.

Peace

Answer 2

too much - better to take to much than too little,

just remember - you are on ur hols - sp u do spend more than u normally do...  (drink, food, days out etc)

i tend 2 take a card that wrks around the wrld , so it is just on my debit card/overdraft.

Answer 3

Being pickpocketed is more likely than being mugged.

Thieves don't want to work any harder than anyone else.

The basic strategy is this:

use ATM card to withdraw money as you need it,

(but avoid making too many small withdrawals as

each one carries a $3-5 fee).

Take out enough for 3-4 days spending at a time.

It's the most convenient way to change money,

and you get a good rate of exchange.

Take an emergency backup amount in cash or

traveler's checks.

For whatever money or cards you are carrying

which is beyond your immediate spending needs,

use a pouch under your clothing.

These are readily available in travel shops, or

you can make one yourself if you're handy with

a needle and thread.

Stick to well traveled areas and be aware of your surroundings.

Answer 4

I am vietnamese myself and what you read about the guides for vietnam is really true. You shouldn't bring lots of money, just enough because the currency for vietnam is low and about the mugging part, most likely you won't get mug AS LONG AS YOU GO WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE OF HAVIN A GUIDE WITH YOU, but becarful where you put your money vietnam thieves are very slic. They pretend to bump into you and say sorry and by the time they left u notice that your purse is gone so when you got bump into check your important belongings right away. you should have a guide or else you'll get ripped off. you should bring about 50 dollars and change it into vietnam money. i now live in america though

Answer 5

well you might need enough to buy your ways to buy a drink and stuff but dont start carring round 6049045839058305835 of whatever the currency is out there

have a lovely trip