Backpacking is a popular holiday choice for those of us who want to get out there and see the world. With such a variety of destinations in all four corners of the world, there is no end of choice for the adventurous traveller.
When preparing for a backpacking trip, it is important to ensure that you have a number of aspects in place - ranging from medical to monetary - and one of the most crucial of these is making sure you have money available during your trip.
For many backpackers, carrying money is one of the main worries of their journey. Being in an unfamiliar environment can be quite daunting, but not having the money to get by is a scary thought should you run into any trouble. Because of these risks, many backpackers choose to take cards with them on their trips in order to minimise the chances of losing money on their excursions.
Credit cards offer the chance to spread payments over a period of time, and can come in very handy for emergency situations, whilst debit cards allow the chance to set yourself a budget through the use of a balance - usually accumulated during employment before travelling.
Research is key when it comes to deciding the financial route you want to take while you travel, not just about the best deal on a card before you go but also your limits for using the card abroad. There are a number of things you should check about the card before you go:- Is it covered for use abroad? Check for the Mastercard or Visa logo before you apply, as these are globally recognised brands and the most likely to be accepted in many establishments around the world.
- Is there a pre-pay option on the card? Debit cards can be useful for short holidays as they provide you with a budget, so you can prioritise payments and also think about just how much you want to spend on souvenirs.
- If you're taking a debit card issued by a bank, do they have outlets in the country you are visiting? If not, you must ensure that they allow you to withdraw money at cash machines in other countries, and how much would you be charged for such a service.
As well as ensuring that you find out as much as you can about the cards and what they offer before you travel, it is important to inform your bank or credit card company that the card will be used abroad in order to ensure that any balance transfer that you put through won't be halted due to suspicion of fraud.
By taking the time to research the options available to you before your travels, and by watching your spending limits during your travels, you can ensure that you get the most out of your backpacking experience, remaining financially safe along the way.
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