TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Never just assume that your various credit, bank or debit cards will function at your destination if you are leaving your own country. Even traveler's checks are no longer a guaranteed currency option, as several developing nations don't accept them.

Even if a city claims to have certain kinds of banking machine services, you can get stuck if that turns out to mean there is one single machine in the business district, 50 blocks from your hotel. You really just shouldn't rely on banking machines anyway. Banking networks can be complicated, and service can be spotty. Credit cards can be a safer bet, but only large restaurants, hotels and stores may accept them.

Major cards like Visa and MasterCard are your best choice, but be prepared to pay some extra fees to use them. Smaller cards issued by your local banks are not likely be be accepted.