Currency tips

How not to lose money on exchange abroad

General tips

• Always choose payment in local currency (not in your home currency)

• Tell your bank about the trip so your card is not blocked

• Have a backup card from another bank

• Check your bank fees for cash withdrawals abroad

• Keep a small amount of cash for places that don’t accept cards

🇵🇱 PolandPLN

Tips:
  • •Exchange in banks or exchange offices, not at stations
  • •Cards are accepted almost everywhere
  • •Avoid exchanging at the border — the rate is worse
Warning

Be careful with Dynamic Currency Conversion — always pay in PLN

Tipping:10% in restaurants, not mandatory

🇩🇪 GermanyEUR

Tips:
  • •Many places still prefer cash — keep some with you
  • •Some venues do not accept cards
  • •ATMs marked EC often have better rates
Tipping:5–10% in restaurants, rounding up

🇹🇷 TurkeyTRY

Tips:
  • •Use official exchange offices and ask for a receipt
  • •Bargaining at markets is normal
  • •USD and EUR are accepted in tourist areas
Warning

The exchange rate is volatile — don’t exchange too much in advance

Tipping:10–15% in restaurants

🇪🇬 EgyptEGP

Tips:
  • •Cash is king, especially for small tips
  • •Official and black-market rates may differ
  • •Exchange at banks (often available in hotels)
Warning

Baksheesh (tips) are expected in many places

Tipping:10–15%, often included in the bill

🇦🇪 United Arab EmiratesAED

Tips:
  • •The currency is pegged to the USD, so it’s stable
  • •Cards are accepted almost everywhere
  • •Cash can be useful for markets
Tipping:Service charge is often included, add ~10% if you want

🇬🇪 GeorgiaGEL

Tips:
  • •Cards are accepted in cities
  • •In villages you may need cash
  • •ATMs are available but may charge fees
Tipping:5–10% in restaurants, not mandatory

🇨🇿 CzechiaCZK

Tips:
  • •Avoid exchanging in tourist hotspots — rates can be terrible
  • •Look for exchange offices with 0% commission
  • •Always confirm the rate before you exchange
Warning

Some exchange offices hide an unfavorable ‘buy’ rate in fine print

Tipping:10% in restaurants

🇬🇧 United KingdomGBP

Tips:
  • •Contactless payments work almost everywhere
  • •You rarely need cash
  • •Avoid exchanging at airports
Tipping:10–12.5% in restaurants, often included