Asia trip - what cash to take?

[ScoobertDoo]

Going on a 16 day trip next Feb/Mar covering Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, looking for advice on whether we need to get some cash beforehand, or whether it is better to just withdraw cash via ATM’s as needed, but then how much?
Assuming that most places will take credit cards, but expect that smaller places, markets, food stalls, and maybe taxis will want to be paid with cash.
Anybody have experience of similar trips? How did you deal with the cash/card split?

SD

[carreauchompeur]

Just take card. Withdraw a bit in each place for incidentals but don’t go mad, card is very, very widely used across Asia. Particularly in built up areas ATMs are common but most have quite hefty fees per withdrawal.

[Mark V GTD]

As above. I take only about £50 in foreign cash and just use the ATM’s as required - they are everywhere! Don’t accept the machines exchange rate though.

[ScoobertDoo]

Thanks both, obviously will use the card in most cases as you say, as for the ATM’s I have used these a number of times previously abroad and as you say always use the local currency rather than there conversion rates. Already use a Halifax clarity credit card and Chase for a debit card, both having a zero conversion rate for foreign use.

[Mark V GTD]

Sounds like you are all set!

[flight147z]

I didn't use cash at all in the first 3 when I visited. Imagine it's also easy to not use cash in HK

[Philplop]

Singapore is card or contactless everywhere, even hawker centres and food courts.

Thailand I use cash absolutely everywhere.

I just withdraw cash using my Halifax Clarity or Chase card, so sounds like you’re sorted.

[nikaiyo2]

Be careful with ATMs in Thailand in particular they give you the cash then return the card, so it’s really easy to leave your card in.

[Griffith4ever]

Philplop said:

Singapore is card or contactless everywhere, even hawker centres and food courts.

Thailand I use cash absolutely everywhere.

I just withdraw cash using my Halifax Clarity or Chase card, so sounds like you’re sorted.

Aye , cash is king in Thailand. You can use your card all over the place, but once you are in beach cafes etc, less so, unless you don't venture far from pattya.....

ATMs all charge 250 baht to use the machine. So draw out a chunk or you'll not dilute the fee. As always with Clarity card, don't accept the conversion they will always offer.

[djc206]

Depending on what card you have might also be worth taking £ cash and changing them at a Bureau de change. Tend to get pretty good rates across Asia for foreign currencies such as $/£/€ just make sure the notes are a) larger denomination and b) in good condition, no pen marks or tears.

[Aunty Pasty]

In HK, credit cards will be accepted in most touristy areas. If you venture into the New Territories you are more likely to come across places that don't take the western credit cards but are geared up more towards Octopus cards, AliPay and Weibo.

[Griffith4ever]

djc206 said:

Depending on what card you have might also be worth taking £ cash and changing them at a Bureau de change. Tend to get pretty good rates across Asia for foreign currencies such as $/£/€ just make sure the notes are a) larger denomination and b) in good condition, no pen marks or tears.

Bureau de changes wont touch the rates offered by fee-free cards - cards get the daily "Visa exchange rate" which is always significantly better than what you can get a money exchange. Of course, if you don't have a fee-free card then your mileage may vary, but the Halifax Clarity for example, always uses the daily "Visa" rate. (not to be confused with your own Visa card's rate, its the official "Visa" supplied exchange rate.

For example, today, M&S BDC rate is 42THB to GBP. The Visa rate is 43.7.

[djc206]

Griffith4ever said:

djc206 said:

Depending on what card you have might also be worth taking £ cash and changing them at a Bureau de change. Tend to get pretty good rates across Asia for foreign currencies such as $/£/€ just make sure the notes are a) larger denomination and b) in good condition, no pen marks or tears.

Bureau de changes wont touch the rates offered by fee-free cards - cards get the daily "Visa exchange rate" which is always significantly better than what you can get a money exchange. Of course, if you don't have a fee-free card then your mileage may vary, but the Halifax Clarity for example, always uses the daily "Visa" rate. (not to be confused with your own Visa card's rate, its the official "Visa" supplied exchange rate.

For example, today, M&S BDC rate is 42THB to GBP. The Visa rate is 43.7.

I could have been clearer but I said take £ with you and change them in country, not using a BdC here. Across much of Asia you get excellent rates on hard currency.

[ScoobertDoo]

Thanks for all the advice, feeling a lot more comfortable with what we need to do. Interesting that Thailand prefers cash, but that will not be an issue as long as we draw out what we need.

Guess the next question is what is a reasonable amount per day?

[Mark V GTD]

I wouldn’t say that Thailand particularly favours cash any more than anywhere else in Asia if you are talking about bricks and mortar type establishments. Cards are accepted widely but they may add a small service charge on to you’re bill.

[Griffith4ever]

ScoobertDoo said:

Thanks for all the advice, feeling a lot more comfortable with what we need to do. Interesting that Thailand prefers cash, but that will not be an issue as long as we draw out what we need.

Guess the next question is what is a reasonable amount per day?

Depends what you eat and drink and how western you do or don't go. Phuket, or Koh Lanta? Koh Phangnang or Koh Jum.

Pad Thai comes in around £2 or less. You can have fabulous Aussie sliced beef steak for £5 on Koh Chang st the "U Turn" restaurant, and £40 in Phuket.

A long Island Iced tea in Jum is 200Baht during happy hour, and you can havea Mohito for 60 Baht in Koh Chang. A hotel in Phuket might charge you £10 (500 ish Baht). Thailand can be very cheap. A large beer is arouns 100 Baht outside of rip off joints (£2 a pint basically).

As for cash not being king (above) - that's true for paying hotel bills, and paying at hotel bars, but go exploring and you'll get stuck without cash. Most of the really charming places on the beaches are cash only, but this is coming from a traveller, not a two week holiday maker where you might well never need cash. I am there most winters, and could never get by without cash. And we move about a fair bit.

[Slow.Patrol]

Have a look at the Post Office

They now do a preloaded credit card for a number of currencies.

A bit safer than taking your personal credit card.

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money/card

[craig1912]

Use a debit card for cash rather than a credit card. Even though a Clarity card is free if all fees, you pay interest on a cash withdrawal from the time of the transaction to the time you pay it off .

[chip*]

Griffith4ever said:

As for cash not being king (above) - that's true for paying hotel bills, and paying at hotel bars, but go exploring and you'll get stuck without cash. Most of the really charming places on the beaches are cash only, but this is coming from a traveller, not a two week holiday maker where you might well never need cash. I am there most winters, and could never get by without cash. And we move about a fair bit.

Nail on head. Always have cash for the small stalls, shops or out of town eateries etc..

For HK, grab some cash from the cash points in the arrival hall, then buy a tourist Octopus card. Further spend can be topped up through the Octopus App or Apple pay with your credit card. Any excess cash left on the card can be redeemed at the same place on your departure flight. You can survive with just an Octopus card in HK, but always useful to have a cash reserve as explained above.

[peter tdci]

Griffith4ever said:

Aye , cash is king in Thailand. You can use your card all over the place, but once you are in beach cafes etc, less so, unless you don't venture far from pattya.....

ATMs all charge 250 baht to use the machine. So draw out a chunk or you'll not dilute the fee. As always with Clarity card, don't accept the conversion they will always offer.

A Krungsi ATM charged me 220 baht last week when I took some cash out with my Clarity card. I always clear any statement balance before I travel and then transfer some sterling into the Clarity account after cash withdrawals to keep interest charges down (payments into the account will go towards the statement balance first, and then cash withdrawals).