Before going on vacation abroad, it is important to find out about the best exchange rate or at least know the current exchange rate to avoid being scammed. western union You need to plan, or at least estimate how much money you want to change based on local spending… For more advice, you can download the free guide to travel more while spending less.

1 TO GET A BETTER EXCHANGE RATE, YOU NEED TO ESTIMATE YOUR BUDGET –

The method is simple … I know my needs, I find out about the cost of living by contacting expatriates, friends who are returning from the country or by reading budget reports on travel blogs for similar destinations:

Once the estimated daily budget, I multiply by the number of days, so i get the total budget for a destination, and to this sum, I add about 15% in extras (because we don’t hide it, there is always extras and activities that we have not planned) and I get the total budget of the trip. This gives a simple equation 😉

estimated daily budget x Number of days on site = estimated budget

15% estimated budget + estimated budget = total estimated budget taking into account extras

To know: Sometimes, there are big extras at the leisure level or, unfortunately, worries that blow up the budget. As an accident and care on the spot. In fact, Always have good travel insurance! Believe me, even if I’m careful with my budget, it’s always when we don’t expect it that we’re happy to have good travel insurance to cover our health costs abroad which can become all the more astronomical if there are also exchange costs to be taken into account related to the amount of sums to be advanced…

– 2 ON SITE, HOW DO I CHANGE MY MONEY? WHAT EXCHANGE RATE APPLIED? –

Once landed on site, after a tiring long-haul flight ( read: how to have a more pleasant long-haul flight ), what do you do? Be aware that most banks act as exchange offices but exchange rates vary from one bank to another. In fact, I send a message to my advisor to find out the pricing policy on site. It takes me 5 min and can save you a lot 😉 With your bank card, there are costs to take into account which depend on the card. Normal credit card, gold, platinum with certain so-called “international” options which limit direct debit taxes abroad (this is what I currently have).

If you are a big traveler outside the euro zone, do not hesitate to contact your bank to find out about your options for the best exchange rates.

Tip: Do not hesitate to negotiate discounts with your bank even if I am not a big saver, as i am loyal to my bank, comparing with the cost of my international option and that of other banks as a welcome, I noticed that it was more advantageous for me to go elsewhere. In fact, I negotiated and obtained a removal of levies over five years 🙂 savings? 150 euros / year or 750 euros over 5 years and nothing forces me to stay with my bank afterwards if the grass is greener elsewhere!