Money & costs

Cash still useful

Traditional markets, street food, small restaurants, older vendors, rural areas, and transit top-ups can require cash.

Exchange a starting amount

A reasonable starting point is exchanging about ₩130,000–₩260,000 (roughly US$100–200) in cash.

Don't rely on mobile wallets

Apple Pay and other mobile wallets have patchy acceptance for tourists.

Carry cash buffer

Carry about ¥20,000-30,000 as a buffer, lead with cards, and top up from a 7-Eleven ATM when low.

Use reliable ATMs

Seven Bank ATMs (7-Eleven) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign cards and have English menus; many ordinary bank ATMs reject foreign cards.

ATM limits and hours

Seven Bank allows up to ¥100,000 per withdrawal, nearly 24 hours; Japan Post caps at ¥50,000 and runs roughly 7:00-23:00 (7:00-21:00 Sundays/holidays).

No tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan and can feel awkward, since service charges are usually included in the bill.

Cash still needed

Markets, street food, and transport often require cash; contactless is less common on islands and rural areas.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion

Always choose to be charged in baht at ATMs, not your home currency.

Pick cheaper ATMs

Aeon-branded ATMs are usually cheapest at roughly 150 baht per withdrawal; some ATMs charge 250-350 baht.

Withdraw larger amounts less often

A single 10,000 baht withdrawal could cost around 520 to 670 baht once fees are added.

Carry cash and a backup card

Cash is king for street food, markets, motorbike taxis and small guesthouses; carry a mix of dong and a backup international card.

Plan multiple ATM withdrawals

Most Vietnamese banks charge a withdrawal fee and cap single withdrawals, so plan for a few transactions rather than one large one.

Prices spike during peak weeks

A Hoi An hotel room around $70 off-season can climb to roughly $140 in late December; Ha Long Bay cruises rise from about $125 to $215.

Tet raises prices sharply

Around Tet, domestic flights double and many family-run businesses close for about a week.

Use major bank ATMs

ATMs from BCA and Mandiri are most reliable for international cards, charging ~IDR 30,000–50,000 per withdrawal.

Watch for skimming

Bali's Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian are hotspots for ATM skimming; use ATMs inside bank branches and cover the keypad.

Plan multiple withdrawals

Withdrawal limits are often capped around 2 to 3 million rupiah per transaction.

Always choose rupiah

When paying by card, choose rupiah over home currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion markup.

Carry some cash

Hawker Centers and small shops often require cash or local QR codes; keep about $50 to $100 SGD in small denominations.

No tipping culture

Tipping is not part of Singapore's culture, and many restaurants already include a 10% service charge plus GST.

Use ATMs over exchange counters

It is generally cheaper to withdraw cash from ATMs with a travel-friendly card than to use airport exchange counters, though some ATMs charge a fee of approximately 5 SGD.

Typical meal costs

A McDonald's meal costs around S$7; an average restaurant meal costs S$20 to S$40 per person.

Carry some cash

Souks, some independent taxis, small shops and street vendors may prefer or only accept cash.

Choose local currency

When paying by card or using an ATM, choose to be charged in dirhams, not your home currency.

Costs are seasonal

Hotels can be 40 to 50 percent cheaper between June and September versus peak winter rates.

Carry cash for small buys

Mini roadside cafes, street food stalls, tea houses and the Grand Bazaar are usually cash-only.

Choose lira at ATMs

Always decline dynamic currency conversion and choose to be billed in lira, not your home currency.

Watch ATM fees

Every bank charges its own handling fee, often 1 to 3 percent.

No mandatory service charges

Mandatory service charges, table fees and cover charges (kuver) are banned; you don't have to pay if billed.

Foreign cash not usable

US dollars and China renminbi are not accepted at most merchants.

Cash vs cards split

Department stores and chain restaurants take cards; night markets and local shops want cash.

Carry small bills

Night market stalls tend to run small prices, at NT$30-150 per item.

Choose local currency at ATMs

Always choose TWD, since home currency selection applies Dynamic Currency Conversion with poor rates and extra fees.

Cash still rules

Cards work in cities and malls, but pesos are needed outside the urban grid or at beach shacks.

ATMs can run dry

Machines are everywhere in cities but can be flaky in smaller towns and islands; bring a backup card.

Cheap street food

Street food and simple meals can run well under a few hundred pesos.

Train fares modest

Metro Manila rail fares range from roughly ₱13 to ₱35 depending on distance.

Cash still needed

Cash is king at hawker centres, night markets, small shops, rural areas, and especially East Malaysia.

Money changers beat airports

Licensed money changers in shopping districts almost always offer better exchange rates than airport counters or hotel desks.

Cash declaration limit

You may carry ringgit cash only up to the equivalent of USD 10,000 in or out of the country; foreign currency above that must be declared.

Transport costs

Getting around by rail and bus can cost roughly MYR 6 to 12 a day.

Carry some cash

Contactless cards are widely accepted, but keep cash for small cafés, markets and tips.

High VAT rate

Standard IVA rate is 22%, among the highest in the EU.

VAT refund for non-EU residents

Spend at least 70 Euros in one store on one day to be eligible for a partial sales tax refund.

Budget for tourist tax

Overnight tourist tax is charged per person per night, e.g. Rome ranges from €10 in five-star hotels to €3 in campsites, up to 10 consecutive nights.

Carry some cash

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, but carry cash for small rural vendors, markets, or public toilets.

Choose euros at terminal

Choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency, since dynamic currency conversion is usually a worse rate.

Use bank ATMs

ATMs are widely available; using your bank or a fee-free travel card typically beats currency exchange bureaus.

Costs vary by region

Lower costs outside Madrid and Barcelona and in the interior versus the coast; peak summer and festivals push up accommodation prices everywhere.

Carry some cash

Smaller shops, street markets, or rural bakeries may be cash-only.

Avoid standalone ATMs

Choose ATMs attached to a major French bank; avoid Euronet and standalone machines in tourist zones.

Tipping is modest

Service is included in the bill; round up at cafés or leave 5 to 10 percent for great service.

Book ahead to save

Booking trains and popular museum tickets in advance can save money and avoid queues.

Carry two card networks

Bring two different payment cards (Visa/Mastercard, not American Express only) in case one is declined.

Get cash on arrival

Get some cash at the airport for immediate needs, then withdraw a larger amount from an ATM on day one for better rates.

Notify your bank

Tell your bank you're travelling to India to prevent card blocks, and note their customer service number separately.

Tipping is expected

15-20% at sit-down restaurants, $1-2 per drink at a bar, $2-5 per day for housekeeping, 10-15% for taxis/rideshares.

Sales tax added at checkout

Varies by state and city, ranging from 0% to over 10%, so sticker prices are never final.

Use a no-foreign-fee card

Use a card with no foreign transaction fees where possible.

Buy travel insurance

Medical costs in the USA can be very high and even minor injuries may lead to huge bills.

Link a foreign card

Alipay and WeChat Pay allow linking a Visa or Mastercard without a Chinese bank account or phone number.

Watch transaction fees

Transactions of 200 RMB or less have a 0% cross-border fee; over 200 RMB incurs a fixed 3% fee.

Carry some cash

Keep 100 to 300 RMB in cash for small stalls, taxi edge cases, or network failures.

Cards work less locally

International cards are usually accepted at high-end hotels/restaurants but far less at small local places.

Cards widely accepted

American Express, Visa, and Mastercard are widely used at hotels, shops, and restaurants.

Carry some cash

Smaller or traditional establishments may not accept cards or mobile payments.

Cash declaration threshold

You can bring up to HK$120,000 or equivalent into Hong Kong without declaration.

Tell your bank

Notify your bank you're travelling to avoid your card being blocked for unusual activity.

ATM withdrawal fees

All ATMs charge a withdrawal fee between 1% and 3%, with 1.5% most common.

Carry cash backup

Cash is still widely used for markets, taxis, small cafés, local transport and smaller towns.

Declare large cash

Cash above the equivalent of 100 million soʻm must be declared to customs.

Bring clean, newer notes

You cannot use coins, $2 banknotes, old dollars issued before 2009, or banknotes with any damage.

ATM fees and availability

ATMs charge $4 to $6 per withdrawal and dispense $100 bills; they are rare in rural areas and on islands.

ABA Bank gives riel option

ABA Bank lets you withdraw in dollars or riel, often dispensed in the 50,000 denomination note.

Don't go fully cashless

In rural areas cash is still required, and tuk-tuks and market stalls still run largely on cash.

Carry some cash

Useful for small purchases, local markets and remote areas.

Withdraw from ATMs

Use a travel card at ATMs rather than airport exchange booths, which may offer lower rates.

Tipping optional

No service charges added; around 10% is common in upmarket restaurants for good service.

GST refund available

Claim GST back on purchases of AUD$300+ from one business within 60 days of departure via the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Carry only small cash

Contactless is accepted almost everywhere; carry a small amount of cash for emergencies or cash-only vendors.

Book ahead to save

Booking accommodation and transport three months ahead typically saves 20-30% compared with last-minute bookings.

Costs vary by city and season

London runs notably higher than the rest of the country for hotels, dining and attractions.

Tipping is optional

Rounding up or adding around 10% in restaurants is common, but not expected in pubs, cafes or taxis.

Cash still needed

Carry cash for small shops, bakeries, markets, and rural areas, though cards are widely accepted in cities.

Card acceptance

Visa and Mastercard work at most ATMs and larger retailers; American Express is accepted less widely.

Lost or stolen cards

Call 116 116, the universal European blocking hotline, to block a lost or stolen card.

City cost differences

Expect higher costs in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin compared with smaller towns.

Use bank ATMs

Stick to bank-affiliated machines like Citibanamex, HSBC, BBVA, Banorte, or Santander, ideally during the day and attached to a branch.

Pay in pesos

Selecting your home currency lets the ATM's bank choose the exchange rate, which increases fees; always pay in MXN for better rates.

Carry cash

Smaller shops, markets, taxis, and rural areas still run largely on cash, so keep pesos on hand.

Cards have limits

Debit cards are widely accepted in urban/tourist areas, but American Express is accepted noticeably less than Visa or Mastercard.

HKD accepted 1:1

Hong Kong Dollar widely accepted at a 1:1 rate, though change usually given in MOP.

Cards vary by venue

Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay accepted in hotels, casinos and large retailers; smaller shops may need cash.

Watch for surcharges

Foreign card transactions may incur a 1–3% surcharge, and ATM withdrawals may carry extra fees.

Declare large cash amounts

Cash import or export over roughly MOP 120,000 (about USD 15,000) must be declared to customs.

Only tugrik accepted

No other currency is officially accepted in Mongolia besides the Mongolian tugrik.

Carry cash outside UB

Cash remains the most widely used payment method, especially outside major cities.

Use Visa or Mastercard at ATMs

ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, and Cirrus; Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Diners, Discover, Rupay are not accepted.

Decline ATM conversion

Declining the 'accept conversion' option uses your own bank's rate without a markup.

Decline dynamic currency conversion

At ATMs and terminals, it's usually better to pay or withdraw in GEL and let your own bank handle conversion.

Carry cash outside Tbilisi

Credit cards may not be widely accepted in rural areas; cards work well in cities.

Declare large sums

You must declare anything over 30,000 GEL or equivalent in foreign currency on entry and exit.

Carry some cash

Budget 100–200 NZD for small-town stalls or rural spots.

Choose NZD at terminals

Always pick to be charged in NZD to avoid poor dynamic-currency-conversion rates.

Watch foreign transaction fees

Your own bank may charge fees; a low-fee travel card can save money.

Tipping not expected

Tipping is not customary, though rounding up for great service is appreciated.