Should I take UK Sterling £ Travellers Cheques?

emmak1 · Aug 18th, 2005, 23:17

I`m going to india on October 5th and i want to know if taking UK Sterling ( pounds ) Travellers Cheques will be better than taking US dollars.

From what I can see - the exchange rate is MUCH stronger for the UK pounds than the US dollar. i think its 78ruppes to the pound !

Am I right in taking UK sterling pound travellers cheques then?

Rob_The_Pom · Aug 18th, 2005, 23:37

If you're from the UK then sterling travellers cheques are perfect!
I used AMEX ones and only ever had a problem in Darjeeling where there is a money changing cartel.
Of course, take a credit card as well for emergencies.

Cheers

Rob

andygoodyear · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:12

or you could always take your debit cards and draw money out while there?

Rob_The_Pom · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:13

Absolutely.
I've always taken a mixture as 'insurance'.
Debit card, Travellers Cheques, and some hidden cash US$ as emergency 'insurance' money.

andygoodyear · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:21

good idea Rob - are you not from UK though? Is there a reason you take US$? Does it get a better exchange rate?

Another good idea if you are not already a customer is to join Nationwide and get a Flex Account. They let you draw out money abroad not only comission free, but also with no transaction fees. So its just like drawing money here, just converted with the exchange rate. I think they are the only bank that do this.

Rob_The_Pom · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:33

I take dollars as the emergency hard currency simply because it is the most well know currency.
I feel more confident showing someone a greenback in case of emergency than a ten lizzy note. I also stick about 500 rupees in there as well (in my hidden stash).

tonylittle · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_The_Pom

I take dollars as the emergency hard currency simply because it is the most well know currency.
I feel more confident showing someone a greenback in case of emergency than a ten lizzy note. I also stick about 500 rupees in there as well (in my hidden stash).

i always take 100 dollars cash becuse the banks

closed at the drop of a hat

tony

Rob_The_Pom · Aug 19th, 2005, 00:48

I take US$100 as well - glad I'm doing the right thing!

Go on Tony make that 100th post!

freenote · Aug 19th, 2005, 01:10

Hidden emergancy stash, nationwide card,a few cheques,the advise is the best ,spot on!!!!!

tonylittle · Aug 19th, 2005, 01:13

I AM 100 POSTS OLD TO DAY so if anyone is in Ross on WYE this week the drinks are on me. And abig thanks to Mike for this great siteand all you folks out in the big I>M world

TONY 100 POST LITTLE

Rob_The_Pom · Aug 19th, 2005, 01:19

Congrats Tony!

Nick-H · Aug 19th, 2005, 01:56

Happy Hundred Tony!

I'cve never had a problem with sterling, but I've never been far from the beaten track.

charlotte · Aug 19th, 2005, 05:31

Nationwide a/c is the best way to go - draw out from ATM - no charges from them or Nationwide and a better rate. As we are a couple we have 2 cards in case of emergency but have had no problems in the last 8 years of using Nationwide.
Used to take TC and cash but now only take a little cash and don't bother with the cheques.

rubytuesday · Aug 20th, 2005, 23:16

Hi everyone*

i've been looking into getting a Nationwide FlexAccount for my trip to india too...i've never been to india before and am thus *completely clueless* to say the least - i just wondered how widespread ATM's are in india?...and how compatible generally is the Nationwide card with ATM's in India??

The main areas I'm planning on visiting are Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and south to Kerala...any help/advice would be hugely and muchly appreciated!!...less than 3 weeks to go and feeling sooooo unorganised!!!

ooooh PS: and would anyone recommend getting a fleece for travelling northwards in sept/nov...what kind of temps will it be? was just going to take a hoodie (minus the ASBO!!) but a friend suggested a fleece - hmmmm decisions decisions...x

shere · Aug 21st, 2005, 03:51

If by north you mean hilly/mountain areas then I would take a fleece for October / November time. I was in Kasauli last October and it was very cold in the evenings. I would even take a hot water bottle for the night, the electric fire in the room was as useful as a chocolate teapot.

In Haryana, Punjab & DElhi the weather was fine and t-shirts could be worn during the day.

Aug 18th, 2005, 23:17	#1
emmak1 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: UK Posts: 13	Should I take UK Sterling £ Travellers Cheques? I`m going to india on October 5th and i want to know if taking UK Sterling ( pounds ) Travellers Cheques will be better than taking US dollars. From what I can see - the exchange rate is MUCH stronger for the UK pounds than the US dollar. i think its 78ruppes to the pound ! Am I right in taking UK sterling pound travellers cheques then?

Aug 18th, 2005, 23:37	#2
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 1,308	If you're from the UK then sterling travellers cheques are perfect! I used AMEX ones and only ever had a problem in Darjeeling where there is a money changing cartel. Of course, take a credit card as well for emergencies. Cheers Rob __________________ There is no God but Dawkins and Hitchens is his prophet.

Aug 19th, 2005, 01:56	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Happy Hundred Tony! I'cve never had a problem with sterling, but I've never been far from the beaten track. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Aug 19th, 2005, 00:12	#3
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	or you could always take your debit cards and draw money out while there?

Aug 19th, 2005, 00:13	#4
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 1,308	Absolutely. I've always taken a mixture as 'insurance'. Debit card, Travellers Cheques, and some hidden cash US$ as emergency 'insurance' money.

Aug 19th, 2005, 00:21	#5
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	good idea Rob - are you not from UK though? Is there a reason you take US$? Does it get a better exchange rate? Another good idea if you are not already a customer is to join Nationwide and get a Flex Account. They let you draw out money abroad not only comission free, but also with no transaction fees. So its just like drawing money here, just converted with the exchange rate. I think they are the only bank that do this.

Aug 19th, 2005, 00:33	#6
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 1,308	I take dollars as the emergency hard currency simply because it is the most well know currency. I feel more confident showing someone a greenback in case of emergency than a ten lizzy note. I also stick about 500 rupees in there as well (in my hidden stash).

Aug 19th, 2005, 00:48	#8
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 1,308	I take US$100 as well - glad I'm doing the right thing! Go on Tony make that 100th post!

Aug 19th, 2005, 01:10	#9
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,599	Hidden emergancy stash, nationwide card,a few cheques,the advise is the best ,spot on!!!!!

Aug 19th, 2005, 01:13	#10
tonylittle Da Da Gee Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ross on wye england Posts: 313	I AM 100 POSTS OLD TO DAY so if anyone is in Ross on WYE this week the drinks are on me. And abig thanks to Mike for this great siteand all you folks out in the big I>M world TONY 100 POST LITTLE

Aug 19th, 2005, 01:19	#11
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 1,308	Congrats Tony!

Aug 19th, 2005, 05:31	#13
charlotte Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Spain/Goa or where I happen to be Posts: 176	Nationwide a/c is the best way to go - draw out from ATM - no charges from them or Nationwide and a better rate. As we are a couple we have 2 cards in case of emergency but have had no problems in the last 8 years of using Nationwide. Used to take TC and cash but now only take a little cash and don't bother with the cheques.

Aug 20th, 2005, 23:16	#14
rubytuesday Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: sunny scotland Posts: 23	Hi everyone* i've been looking into getting a Nationwide FlexAccount for my trip to india too...i've never been to india before and am thus completely clueless to say the least - i just wondered how widespread ATM's are in india?...and how compatible generally is the Nationwide card with ATM's in India?? The main areas I'm planning on visiting are Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and south to Kerala...any help/advice would be hugely and muchly appreciated!!...less than 3 weeks to go and feeling sooooo unorganised!!! ooooh PS: and would anyone recommend getting a fleece for travelling northwards in sept/nov...what kind of temps will it be? was just going to take a hoodie (minus the ASBO!!) but a friend suggested a fleece - hmmmm decisions decisions...x

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Aug 21st, 2005, 03:51	#15
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,124	If by north you mean hilly/mountain areas then I would take a fleece for October / November time. I was in Kasauli last October and it was very cold in the evenings. I would even take a hot water bottle for the night, the electric fire in the room was as useful as a chocolate teapot. In Haryana, Punjab & DElhi the weather was fine and t-shirts could be worn during the day.