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| Carrying Money |  Travelers carry several various forms of money, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing how much to bring, and in what form, can be a challenge. Below are some advantages and disadvantages of the different forms:
Traveler's Checks. Traveler's checks are the safest way to bring currency abroad, though somewhat outdated; if checks are stolen, they can be canceled and no one else can use them. Try to order checks from a bank back home that waives the fee (anywhere from 1 to 5%), or contact organizations that offer discounts to their members. Depending on where you are going, special kinds of checks (MasterCard, AmEx vs., Thomas Cook vs. etc.) will be more useful than others.
It's not recommended to carry wads of cash - instead, you should carry traveler's checks in U.S. dollars or Euros and convert them little by little into the currency of your locale, usually at a post office (which normally proposes the lowest fees). Bring a list of the check numbers with you - you'll need these numbers to cancel unused checks, should they be lost or stolen.
ATM/Debit Cards. If your ATM card works in your destination region - contact the network carrier if you're not sure - this may provide a fascinating alternative to traveler's checks. ATMs and credit cards frequently yield better exchange rates (by about 5%) than what you'll get over the counter at a bank. Ask your bank what its surcharge policy is when you withdraw money in other states or overseas: in most cases, charges range anywhere from $1 to 20% of your withdrawal amount.
Credit Cards. If you have a credit card, think over bringing it along to charge all major purchases (for instance, rail passes and ferry tickets). Credit cards let you save your more readily depleted resources, like traveler's checks and cash. Nevertheless, remember that all major credit card companies charge a flat foreign transaction fee (usually 2-4%). If you call ahead and ask your card company to appoint you a PIN number, you can employ your card at most ATMs (with the same rate). You might leave a signed, blank check behind, if you don't have online account access, and ask a friend or relation to pay your card's bill when it comes at your mailbox, lest you accrue large interest payments while you're away. In Europe, if a place accepts any cards, they will most likely accept MasterCard and Visa. AmEx may well be the card to carry in other areas of the world.
Cash. All of these surrogates are well and good, but it is sweet, sweet cash that truly greases the wheels of commerce. You will prefer to bring enough local currency to get you out of the airport and to a post office or an open bank, perhaps even with a telephone call, snack, or bus ride along the way. You may need to bring more cash, if you're coming on a weekend, as post offices and banks may be closed. The point is to avoid having to change money at the airport, where rates will make even the most highly priced banks look dirt cheap.
Remember that in some countries, customers exchange more than one type of cash: some establishments accept U.S. dollars or Euros and may even fix prices to one of these currencies. Nevertheless, normally, the prices are lower in local coinage.
If you select to carry cash in any amount, be sure to divide it into small amounts and keep them in separate places. That way, you won't lose your entire stash, if you get pick pocketed. Be sure to bring enough cash so that you don't get stranded, if you're heading to remote areas. You don't want to get stuck begging for lodging in a remote village because the local postal hut doesn't change traveler's checks and the only unoccupied place in town doesn't take plastic.
Wired Money. Money can be wired to you in a pinch in almost all major cities in the world and in many secondary cities and towns as well. Western Union is a reputable company with offices that span the globe.
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