How to Carry Cash When Travelling

The question most people ask me on my travelling adventures is how to take money when travelling. How to avoid paying abusive or over-invoiced fees, or how to value the conversion and get more out of exchanging currencies.

In this post, I'll show you the best options for carrying cash safely and how to save money when changing money internationally.

So read to the end, the order of the recommendations is according to my experiences and communication with other nomads and travellers in general. From the most luxurious style of travelling to the most economical way of taking money on your trip.

Cash

The most common way, and the one that people do the most, is to take cash when travelling. You can't go wrong with this option: just go to a currency exchange centre and change into the currency of your choice. The dollar and the euro are the most popular currencies for travellers because of their worldwide acceptance.

However, in particular, I take a small amount of cash for places that are not yet so familiar with international cards, such as in Chiang Mai in Thailandfor example. And for security reasons I also prefer to carry an international card, which I'll explain later.

 

Exchange bureaus that "turn" cash into prepaid cards

A note here for those who are going to use bureaux de change: you can do it yourself in your own city, i.e. you don't need to change currency at airport bureaux de change or in the country you want to go to. Simply go to the nearest bureau de change in your city and ask for a prepaid card. They then give you a slip with the amount and currency you want to use and recharge a prepaid card for you to use on your trip.

 

 

International Credit Card (Cash in Digital Bank)

Another option that is quite common and less well known is the digital bank credit card. In other words, banks like Nubank, C6, Nomad offer the facility to use in other countries.

Because it has a low annual fee, many don't even have one, it's a great and widely used way of taking money when travelling. Personally speaking, I only travel this way: I take a few dollars and only use the card.

Here comes the question: how do I withdraw paper money, since many establishments don't accept cards? Super easy! You can withdraw money from any ATM: from the ATM to the ATMs inside banks. And an extra tip: ATMs inside banks are always cheaper when it comes to currency conversion! That's the tip 😉

Earn bonuses at Nomad

E como eu não poderia deixar de citar, o banco Nomad além de facilitar nossas vidas no uso de cartões em quase todos os países do mundo, ainda tem um espaço super amplo e confortável em Guarulhos. Em outras palavras podemos esperar nosso voo lindamente e digno de conforto para quem é cliente Nomad. Eu já sou cliente e indico bastante, e com meu cupom você também pode ser cliente e usufruir dessa regalia é só click here or use my code QVB2LI8Q5Q and register.

 

Prepaid card (bureaux de change)

A lesser-used and lesser-known alternative are prepaid cards taken out at bureaux de change. This is a very practical way of doing things, but it is more expensive, as the conversion is taxed at a higher rate. But it's easy to get one: just go to a bureau de change, ask for the card and pay the amount you'd like to spend on your trip. They then generate a boleto and you keep the credit on your card.

It's a very simple way too and you top up in the currency you want to use, whether it's dollars, pounds sterling, euros or any other currency you choose.

 

 

Western Union

Although it's only now becoming known among Brazilians, Western Union is a very old and well-used company, especially in Europe.

Their way of sending money works as follows: you deposit the amount in your own currency at a branch, or via the Western Union website or app. You then send it to the recipient, who will receive it in the local currency of the country you transferred it to. WU has many points for sending and withdrawing money, such as banks, lottery shops and businesses.

Great news: this option allows us to send money to ourselves! All you have to do is enter your details as the recipient, and when you pick it up you'll be asked for the order number and some form of ID.

 

> See more on our Partners to earn bonuses at Wise, Nomad, and other options to make your trip more economical and enjoyable <

 

Multimoeda Digital Account - Wise

One way that I particularly like is the Wise Digital Account. Just like an international credit card and a top-up card through a foreign exchange bureau, you transfer money into this account and it can be used in any destination country.

The account also has bank details and can be sent in any currency, as it converts when you use the card in the country. One benefit: you can use either the physical or digital card on your mobile phone, but I recommend getting the physical one. Not many countries accept proximity payments.

So the cheapest way is the mutimoeda digital account Wise, which is accepted in over 160 countries and gives you the freedom to enjoy your chosen destination without worrying about conversions. By using the link here on the blog, you can help me keep the site up to date and full of tips for your travels!

 

 

International Physical Bank Card

Last but not least is an international card from a bank such as Itaú, Sicredi and others. This is the simplest and most common way to take money when travelling. In other words, all you have to do is check with your manager if your card is allowed to be used internationally and voila. I don't particularly recommend it because of the high IOF tax, but it's also an option you can take advantage of.

 

 Conclusion

I bet that after learning about all these options on how to carry cash when travelling, you felt much safer and more secure, as well as more excited about travelling, didn't you?

Whether it's the ease of multi-currency cards, digital banks, or if you're a more traditional person who prefers to go to bureaux de change, you've discovered that there are several simple and easy ways to spend in your desired destination.

And following the same reasoning, for you who LOVE traveling spending almost nothing, I developed the Mentorship for Traveling Spending Little, a course in which I teach step-by-step everything you need to know to be able to travel to various places in the world without having to spend a fortune. I've traveled to more than 30 countries, and I want to help you achieve your dream trip.

So, to find out more about mentoring click here, questions and suggestions are always very welcome and you can leave it here in the comment or go there in our Instagram @oursweettrip stay on top of destinations or curiosities of places!

Oh, we also have a channel on Youtube, subscribe in there!! Kisses!!!