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Many Vietnamese banks won’t allow you to withdraw more than two million dong (just under £60) in one transaction. This is bad if you’re getting charged a set fee by your UK bank for each withdrawal you make.
In Hanoi, the main branch of ANZ Bank allows larger withdrawals. I got out out 10 million (around £295) and was told by another traveller that you can get up to 12 million.
From the large Highlands Coffee next to Hoan Kiem Lake (south-west of the old quarter), take Le Thai To Street with the lake on your left and walk for about five minutes. You will see AZM’s blue sign on the right after about five minutes.
ANZ Bank
14 Le Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
+84(0)4 825 8190
Google map: bit.ly/iketTp
From the large Highlands Coffee next to Hoan Kiem Lake (south-west of the old quarter), take Le Thai To Street with the lake on your left and walk for about five minutes. You will see AZM’s blue sign on the right after about five minutes.
When changing pounds sterling or dollars to Tanzanian shillings in a exchange bureau, large denominations get a better exchange rates. This is not so in banks, but banks take ages! (two hours in Bagamoyo)
Cuba is great and part of the fun is discovering places to stay by yourself - we stayed in many casas particulares (private homes) - some better (and friendlier) than others, but none were dire. A great way to meet locals, especially if you find ones where you can communicate with the owner (ie if you speak Spanish, or they speak English).
When travelling around, taxi drivers (some licensed, some not) hang around bus stations to offer shared rides - which can be cheaper and get you to your destination much quicker.
Remember to take cash - cards don't work in ATMs and changing money on a card, or buying anything on a card is punitively expensive - around 12% charge.
Avoid Varadero if you can - you may as well go to the Costa Del Sol.
Recent airline failures such as Eos and MaxJet serve to remind us that cyclical industries such as airlines are subject to huge pressures when a slowdown in the economy occurs. Make sure you protect yourself from being caught short by paying by credit (not debit) card. Airline failures should be covered under section 75 of the 1974 consumer credit act and thus a refund can be obtained for services not received.
Check with your credit card provider for details.
The hasslers at the airport don't look at the notes you give them (to get rid of them). In Egypt you can get notes that are as little as 5p in the UK (though hard to find). Particularly satisfying to give to the real bothersome hasslers.
Outside of Nairobi it is almost impossible to use either a Maestro, Mastercard or travellers' cheques if you are not in a four or five-star lodge.
You really need US dollars in high ($50 or $100) new (post-2003) bills or a visa debit or credit card to use the ATMs. Even Barclays bank outside of Nairobi won't accept Mastercard.
Remembering enough foreign currency to get in to the country is important.
Arriving at Mombasa after an 11-hour flight and then realising you've neglected to bring enough cash (70USD, or about £40) to get past immigration can be a slightly fraught beginning to a holiday, particularly on a Sunday, and when the cash machines in the airport are broken.
Trust me, make sure you know what the tourist immigration fee will be and that you have enough spare cash on you for this.
You have to tip frequently in Delhi but only small amounts like 20 or 10 rupees. But these bills seem to be hard to find, so whenever you get a chance, get hold of these bills because you will need them.
There's an excellent video which talks about a few other travel tips in Delhi: www.geobeats.com/videoclips/india/new-delhi/traveling-tips
When visiting a city like Delhi, I found travel preparation even more important than usual.
All around Delhi
Don’t rely just on travellers checks in any currency - they are too much hassle. I have witnessed a friend being refused. Bring ATM and/or credit cards. - check fees and tell your bank your are going abroad. Bring very little cash – you tend to get a better rate of exchange here than any home country. Just enough to get you out of the airport to somewhere nice for the first night - avoid carrying large amounts of cash...you’ll lose it when drunk or get it nicked.
Beware! - The 1000 baht note looks very similar to a 20baht note. You might give an overlarge tip!
They are honest, fast and give a good rate. Forget the banks who limit the amount, may charge commission, and take ages. These guys are straight, fast and, I guess, regulated.
The money changers in Kowloon and other areas are not, in my experience, as good.
It'a small street between two main roads near the Macau Ferry Terminal, the tram runs down it in one direction.
When you come to Prague bring Bank of England notes, because the exchange rate for Scottish notes is 25% less than for the English equivalent.
Money saving tip: To avoid rip-off taxis when you arrive at the airport, hop up to Departures and get a meter taxi from there. Should cost around 200 baht to get into central Bangkok.
The currency in Latvia is the Lat. You can't buy Lats from your local and so, beacuse of this, they will tell you that the preferred currency is dollars - but don't listen to them. Try to get some Lats in the departure lounge but even if you don't it's not a major disaster because the airport has cash machines which aren't a rip off. Having said that, once you're in Riga itself, I recommend using Hansa Bank ATMs ...
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