Discount Airfare and Flights to Europe

Money and Electricity – Two Challenges of International Travel
Many people choose not to travel internationally because they don’t want to deal with exchanging foreign currency or figuring out how to use personal appliances with foreign electrical current. Fortunately, both have become much easier in recent years.

How to Exchange Your Money
Exchange rates through hotels and airport currency exchange kiosks are notoriously exorbitant. Fortunately, ATMs are nearly everywhere and most credit card companies and banks offer much more favorable exchange rates when you use credit or debit cards to pay for purchases or get cash.

Before you begin your trip, contact your credit card company to find out if they have a foreign currency conversion fee. Some charge 2 or 3% as well as a flat fee to handle foreign purchases while others don’t. Use the card that doesn’t charge an extra fee whenever possible.

Several banks have agreements with specific foreign banks that allow customers to use their ATMs without out-of-network ATM fees. Call your bank before you leave for a list of partners in the cities you’ll be visiting. The clerk at the front desk of your hotel can probably direct you to the nearest branch.

Of course, you’ll also need money before you leave the airport. While you can buy foreign currency before you begin your trip, you’ll receive better rates if you can find an ATM at the airport. If you can’t find one, exchange just enough money to get you to your hotel, and then hit a local ATM for more cash.

How to Convert Electricity
In addition the electrical current varying between 110 and 220 volts, each continent -- and sometimes different countries within a continent -- has different electrical plugs. Both problems are easily resolved with an electrical current converter and foreign plug adapters. Make sure the converter you buy has a high enough wattage to support your electrical devices.

If you’ll be traveling by car, you should buy a car charger for your camera, cell phone, or PDA. While wall socket current varies, the current available through a car’s cigarette lighter is standard in every country. By using your car charger, you can be sure your car is receiving the correct charge without worrying about voltage or plug conversions.