Local currency
Every destination has its own currency and price level — a coffee that’s a few dollars in one country is a fraction of that in another. Check a live exchange rate before you go rather than trusting airport boards, and learn the rough value of the local notes so prices sanity-check at a glance. Each country guide names the currency and typical costs.
Cards vs cash
Card and contactless acceptance varies enormously: some countries (Korea, Sweden, Singapore) are effectively cashless, while others still lean on cash for markets, taxis, temples, and small family-run places. The safe approach almost everywhere is a contactless card for shops and restaurants plus a modest cash buffer for the places that don’t take plastic.
ATMs & exchange
Withdraw local cash from bank ATMs or ones marked for foreign/“Global” cards, which usually offer an English menu. The big money-saver: when an ATM or card terminal offers to bill you in your home currency, decline and choose the local currency — the “convenience” conversion bakes in a poor rate. A card with no foreign-transaction fee helps most.
Tipping & tax refunds
Tipping is cultural, not universal — generous in the US, light in much of Europe, and simply not done in Korea or Japan. Many countries also offer tax-free shopping: keep receipts above the threshold and claim the VAT/GST refund at the airport before departure. The per-country guide spells out both.
Money & costs, by country
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Frequently asked questions
Cards or cash abroad?
It varies a lot by country. Korea, Northern Europe and Singapore are almost cashless, while parts of Japan, Germany and Southeast Asian markets still run on cash. A good rule: carry a contactless card plus modest local cash for markets, small eateries and rural areas. Each country guide below says how card-friendly your destination is.
How do I avoid bad exchange rates and ATM fees?
Use bank ATMs (or ones labelled for foreign/"Global" cards), and when a machine or terminal offers to charge you in your HOME currency, always decline and choose the LOCAL currency — "dynamic currency conversion" hides a poor rate. A no-foreign-fee debit/credit card saves the most.
Do I need to tip?
Tipping norms differ sharply: expected (15–20%) in the US, small rounding-up in much of Europe, and not customary at all in Korea and Japan where the marked price is what you pay. Check the per-country guide so you neither under- nor over-tip.
Exchange rates, tipping norms, and tax-refund thresholds vary by country and change over time — the country guides above give each destination's specifics. Check current rates before you travel.