Always use local ATMs, not airport exchange
Airport exchange desks offer the worst rates you'll find anywhere. Withdraw local currency from an ATM on arrival instead. Use machines attached to major banks, not standalone kiosks in tourist areas.
Get a fee-free travel card
Wise, Revolut, and Charles Schwab (in the US) all offer cards with no foreign transaction fees and mid-market exchange rates. Loading these cards with your home currency and spending in local currency is almost always the cheapest way to pay abroad.
Always pay in local currency
When a card machine asks if you want to pay in your home currency (Dynamic Currency Conversion), always decline and pay in local currency. The merchant's exchange rate is typically 3-8% worse than your bank's rate.
Carry some cash - always
Cashless doesn't work everywhere. Markets, small restaurants, taxis, and tips all often require cash. Carry the equivalent of $50-100 in local currency as a backup. Keep it split between your wallet and a hidden money belt.
Notify your bank before you travel
Most modern banks no longer require this, but it's still worth doing. Use your bank's app to set a travel notice. The last thing you need is a blocked card in a country where you don't speak the language.
More travel tips
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Simple rules for finding genuinely great local food in any city - and the red flags that tell you to walk away.
Flight Hacks: How to Get Better Seats, Skip Fees, and Arrive Fresher
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