money

Re: money

Hello Ballu,

Only ten days to go.....you must be so excited!!

I always ensure I have some local money on me prior to arrival. But this is just my own personal preference & I don't suggest that this is a must do, just something I like to do.

However upon my arrival in Dubai 2 years ago I exchanged some Australian $ for Dubai Dirhams at the airport as I was dying for a coffee fix!! This was very easy to do. I have also exchanged Australian $ for Egyptian Pounds in Egypt, again a very easy process.

I have used a cirrus card in Egpyt, but you may have to try more than 1 ATM.

Hoping this has been of use, wishing a wonderful holiday. As always, I wish I were going too Kind regards.....Debbie.

Re: money

Hey Ballu,

Thanks for your post.

Like Debbie says, always have some dollars before arrival as well as a bit of Egyptian money as you do not want to spend those precious first moments in Cairo hunting around for a cashpoint. For for information, when I went to Egypt, the visa place is on your right as you queue for Immigration, but your Imaginative Traveller representative will help you with the process should you get stuck. The visa cost me $15, but this may have changed.

In regards to tipping, whilst it is usually expected, the amount is entirely up to your own discretion. Have a look at the exchange rate to see what is what, but do remember that the annual earnings of the average Egyptian are low and tip accordingly. One thing about tipping is that whilst the tour tipping kitty covers guides etc. try to have a bundle of 1 Egyptian pound notes on you as there will often be someone at public toilets and the like asking for a donation.

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate in contacting me should you require further assistance. If not have an excellent time and be sure to let us all know how you get on upon your return and share your snaps.

All the best wishes,

Robert

Re: money

I'm going to be on the Istanbul to Cairo tour in August/September and wondered what The Imaginative Traveller recommends when it comes to money. I'm concerned that i will be carrying large amounts of money with me if I change my cash into currency to take out with me. I'm aware that travellers cheques are becoming increasingly hard to cash in the coutries I will be visiting. What do you recommend? Taking all the money I will need in currency or taking travellers cheques or a travellers cheque card like those recently introduced by American Express or taking out a small amount of cash and using a Visa debit card to withdraw cash every so often (although I know sometimes cash machines may be hard to find)? Ordinarily while abroad I'd just store money in a hotel safe but as we'll be travelling every couple of days this doesn't seem possible.

Re: money

Hi Pip.
I can only talk about the Egypt trip that I did, but I didn't take any travellers cheques (we were there for over 3 weeks), and found that there were plenty of places to get money through ATMs except out in the Western Desert area. But in places like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Dahab, there's plenty of them around.
Have a great trip.

Re: money

Hey Pip!

Thanks for your post and to Nicky for your advice for Egypt.

There will be plenty of opportunities to withdraw cash on this tour. However when the occasion arises that you perhaps will not be able to get to one, your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on how much to have on you. They are the best people to ask for this as they live in these countries and so know about daily expenses etc. Also having a decent amount on you is a good idea as always being on the hunt for an ATM is not the best way to experience another country and missing out on buying things you see as you have no money would be a shame. With this comes all of the usual precautions you would take in its safekeeping, and you can be assured of the safety of the places that we use and the transport when at the sites.

I hope this has helped and if anybody else has any advice of any of the countries this tour travels through, let Pip know.

All the best,

Robert

Re: money

Hello Pip,

I can only speak of Egypt as I haven't been to Turkey...yet.

I took some Egyptian pounds with me, along with some Aussie $. But the vast bulk of my money was in travellers cheques in US$. I found these very easy to cash. Just ensure you have the paperwork you get with them at time of purchase & your passport.

I have been known to carry quite large amounts of money on me at times. I found this wasn't a huge problem in Egypt, once again, can't say anything about Turkey.....it's on the to do list!!

Hope this helps. Kind regards.......Debbie.