Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By PanEuropean

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: warrington uk
Posts: 33
changing money

Wots the best cash to take to change in to rubles
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: warrington uk
Posts: 33
I guess you mean dollars
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
don't agree at all. Euro is king. You can change dollars but the euro is more widely accepted and you will get better rates.

You don't say which country, I presume Russia but other countries use their own ruble currency. Be careful how much you change as, depending on the country, changing back again can be difficult. It was almost impossible to change rubles to euros (or dollars!) last time I went to Belarus, you had to know someone who was willing to do it on the black market for you and the rate was awful, and that was despite having family there!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 May 2013
Simon_100's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Spain
Posts: 107
Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
don't agree at all. Euro is king. You can change dollars but the euro is more widely accepted and you will get better rates.

You don't say which country, I presume Russia but other countries use their own ruble currency. Be careful how much you change as, depending on the country, changing back again can be difficult. It was almost impossible to change rubles to euros (or dollars!) last time I went to Belarus, you had to know someone who was willing to do it on the black market for you and the rate was awful, and that was despite having family there!
I agree entirely, but don't take 200 or 500 notes, even 100's can be a problem. If you tote a suitcase full of 500 notes you'll find yourself in deep s***

Regs

Simon
__________________
The Spanish Biker - the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain.

The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denmark - Copenhagen
Posts: 305
Bring 100 euros, in assorted small and big bills. Put them in your boot and put your visa card in your pocket and enjoy the 21 century :-)
__________________
Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Bring 100 euros, in assorted small and big bills. Put them in your boot and put your visa card in your pocket and enjoy the 21 century :-)
great advice for a package tour to the costas, not so useful on an extended trip out in the boonies, you will find many places take neither visa nor mastercard. You may also find it a very expensive way to pay for stuff abroad. 100E won't go far. Cards have their uses and are a safe way to make larger purchases but you will also need a decent amount of cash. I usually carry £500-1000 worth, and withdraw more in local currency if I start getting short, the threshold varies depending on how long I have to go for and where I am.

try to carry nothing bigger than a 20E note. Counterfeit notes is a real problem, 50s being the most popular, although smaller denominations are also faked. There's lots of advice online about how to spot fake notes. Passing a counterfeit note is a criminal offence in most of Europe, and you will be jailed. The fact you didn't know it was a fake is no defence. Your only defence, if your lucky, is if you can prove you got the notes through a legitimate source, so keep all your money exchange receipts.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...e-in-jail.html

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/n...ake-euros.html
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
spread your money around different locations for security and so you don't get out large amounts at once in front of people.

when your driving keep a small amount of money, say 20E in small denominations in a separate pocket, this is for 'fines'. No matter what they first ask for, make sure they think this is all you have. (the rozzers don't take MasterCard by the way!)

I also carry a wallet with old credit and debit cards in, along with the 20E above. It's a product of living in Moss Side, Manchester! It's your mugging money! enough to keep them happy so you don't get a worse shoeing, not so much it's a disaster!

Carry a spare card stashed somewhere secure on the vehicle. This is your back up if your main cards are nicked.

Use an email that can be accessed anywhere (like Hotmail) then email yourself the phone numbers and account numbers so you can cancel your cards if necessary. Use a code for the numbers if it makes you more comfortable.

probably the wrong thread but just some things I've picked up along the way.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by moggy 1968 View Post
spread your money around different locations for security and so you don't get out large amounts at once in front of people.

when your driving keep a small amount of money, say 20E in small denominations in a separate pocket, this is for 'fines'. No matter what they first ask for, make sure they think this is all you have. (the rozzers don't take MasterCard by the way!)

I also carry a wallet with old credit and debit cards in, along with the 20E above. It's a product of living in Moss Side, Manchester! It's your mugging money! enough to keep them happy so you don't get a worse shoeing, not so much it's a disaster!

Carry a spare card stashed somewhere secure on the vehicle. This is your back up if your main cards are nicked.

Use an email that can be accessed anywhere (like Hotmail) then email yourself the phone numbers and account numbers so you can cancel your cards if necessary. Use a code for the numbers if it makes you more comfortable.

probably the wrong thread but just some things I've picked up along the way.
Sound advice, I have two pre-paid cards which cost me nothing if initially loaded with £500 and keep one with nothing on it with my mugging money so it is a current card incase your friendly neighbourhood thief checks.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 9 May 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Mike, my experience has been that there are ATMs all over Russia that accept North American and European bank cards (Maestro, etc.) - my suggestion is that you just take along a bank card, and use ATMs when you need cash.

It might be a good idea to let your bank know (ahead of time) that you will be travelling in Russia.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denmark - Copenhagen
Posts: 305
Obviously, people who dont belive in plastic cards havent been anywhere in the world...

North America, Check!
Central America, Check!
South America, Check!
South East Asia, Check!
Western Europ, Check!
Eastern Europe, Check!
Africa, Check!
Russia, Check!

Using travellers checks and carrying a big waddle of dollars is just a time gone by. Carry enough to get you to the next town.
__________________
Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10 May 2013
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 973
Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
carrying a big waddle of dollars is just a time gone by. Carry enough to get you to the next town.
I would say dont relay too much on the plastic cards. A friend used his in Nigeria and weeks after he left the country someone took money from his account.

My Credit Card suddenly did not work anymore when i was in Africa. I contacted the bank. They told me oh we have send you a new one to your home adress a few weeks ago. I replyed "but im in africa and the old card should be still valied more then two months". They said sorry but we cant help you...

The ATM took my Visa+ cardwhen in was in Southamerica. Even i had my passport i did not get it back. The card was send to the bank in my home country...

Also paypal is not an option: If you log in from too many different countrys while traveling they block your acound for security reasons.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Obviously, people who dont belive in plastic cards havent been anywhere in the world...

North America, Check!
Central America, Check!
South America, Check!
South East Asia, Check!
Western Europ, Check!
Eastern Europe, Check!
Africa, Check!
Russia, Check!

Using travellers checks and carrying a big waddle of dollars is just a time gone by. Carry enough to get you to the next town.
NO, haven't been anywhere, only eastern Europe, western Europe, India, west Africa, north America, But this isn't a dick measuring competition! In all those places a good supply of cash, assuming you venture out of the cities and tourist hot spots, is essential. The actual amount depends on the actual country, what I am doing and where I am going.

Sure I use cards, but wouldn't be so stupid as to rely entirely on cards and not have a good backup of cash. I'm not saying take all the cash you need for the whole of your trip, just make sure you have a sizeable amount available in case you can't get to a cash machine or they aren't working.

As discussed above, if you don't carry a float and rely entirely on cards you could come very unstuck. Cards break, they get stopped by your bank and they get cloned (welcome to the 21st century!) Last time I travelled through West Africa you could use mastercard in some places, not others and vice versa with visa, so you needed both, and in Mauritania nowhere took cards of any description. That's was 5 years ago so the situation may have changed in the big towns by now, but don't rely on the machines either being there or functioning.

We very nearly got caught out and had to pool the money of all four of us to be able to get fuel to get out.

And, as I said above, not everyone takes cards. roadside cafes, bush mechanics, police and customs for starters. That's why even paris Dakar racers carry a very large amount of cash on them.

relying on modern technology is great, right until the moment it doesn't work

Somewhere between jumping on your sportbike with nothing more than a pair of swimming trunks and a mastercard and loading up your fully prepped 7ton truck and carrying thousands of pounds lies a happy medium. what that is depends on who you are and where you are going but is, I would suggest, a long way from either of those extremes.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11 May 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
I think that the general gist of this thread can kind of be summed up this way:

Have multiple methods of accessing cash, and don't rely exclusively on any one method.

I've visited over 60 countries in the last 12 months, just as part of my 'day job'. My primary method of getting cash in any country (no matter how primitive a country) is to use a bank card (not a credit card, but a bank card, such as one with the Cirrus, Maestro, or Interac logos on the back of it) to withdraw cash from a bank-operated ATM in the center of a city. I never use privately operated ATMs, only ATMs that are operated by a bank.

But - having said that - unless I know the place I am going to very well and have been there before, I won't arrive in a country without any local money at all. I usually try to arrive with sufficient local money for a couple of days worth of expenses.

Credit cards can be very useful if you are staying in hotels, buying airline tickets, or eating in upscale restaurants. They are less useful for downscale (more economic) lodging and food. But - for sure, bring one along, because if your bank card (ATM card) gets lost or captured by a local ATM, you can then fall back on cash advances from the credit card to keep you going.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11 May 2013
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Quote:
Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
I would say dont relay too much on the plastic cards.

My Credit Card suddenly did not work anymore when i was in Africa. I contacted the bank. They told me oh we have send you a new one to your home adress a few weeks ago. I replyed "but im in africa and the old card should be still valied more then two months". They said sorry but we cant help you...
Exactly this happened to me with my cash card, during a 5-month stay in Guatemala. It left me in a bad situation. Just lucky I had a credit card that I could draw cash on.

The expiry date on my cash card was nearly a month after the end of my trip.
But take note, banks will switch off your card once they have sent a new card to your home, which may be many weeks before the expiry of the card in your pocket.

And they claim they have no way of switching your card back on.
And when you explain that all their records must show you've been in a foreign country for months, well all you get are excuses.

So take care that the expiry dates of the cards you're taking are at least 2 months (or maybe more) after the date you return home. Unless you have some way of having cards that are sent to your home posted out to wherever you are.
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11 Jun 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,232
Quote:
Originally Posted by peter-denmark View Post
Obviously, people who dont belive in plastic cards havent been anywhere in the world...

North America, Check!
Central America, Check!
South America, Check!
South East Asia, Check!
Western Europ, Check!
Eastern Europe, Check!
Africa, Check!
Russia, Check!

Using travellers checks and carrying a big waddle of dollars is just a time gone by. Carry enough to get you to the next town.

I think this thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...668#post425568
amply demonstrates the foolishness of relying on cards and not carrying an adequate supply of cash, even in France!! Let alone more remote countries/locations.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Changing oil intervall on modern Landcruisers Surfy Equipping the Overland Vehicle 14 5 Sep 2013 17:00
About travel money.!! darksyk1 Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 5 12 Mar 2013 16:19
RTW-traveller running out of money in Turkey - looking for a job very urgent dakaralex Europe 0 1 Nov 2012 17:44
Spending the Money Well pete3 Which Bike? 22 19 Apr 2012 20:18
Seasonal work opportunity - save money and travel dob90210 The HUBB PUB 1 8 Jan 2012 00:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:37.