As a traveller, knowing how to carry and handle currency safely while travelling abroad can save you from scams, payment errors, and theft. 

In this guide, we will walk you through 9 simple yet effective tips to help you protect your travel money and avoid costly mistakes while abroad.

Also Read: How to Avoid Hidden Fees When Exchanging Currency for Travel

1. Count Your Currency Notes Loudly

• Always count your money loudly when receiving it from the currency exchange providers. 

• By doing so, you signal to the vendor that you are aware of the number of notes received.

• This reduces the chances of shortchanging and ensures transparency, reducing the chances of disputes later.
  
  
• Even though it is awkward to do so, while travelling, your financial safety is more important than a slight discomfort. Also, remember that the locals shall never see you again in life. So there is no need to feel embarrassed. Counting your money audibly is a smart and responsible habit.

2. Always Count Your Change When Making Purchases

• When buying something, count your change immediately and preferably aloud.
  
  
• Your brain is used to recognising Indian currency instantly, but with unfamiliar foreign currency, mistakes are easier to miss.
  
  
• Counting carefully ensures you receive the correct amount and avoids accidental losses.

3. Verify the Denominations Clearly

• As you are not acquainted with foreign currency notes, it might be difficult to differentiate between the currency denominations, especially in colour and size. 

• Always read and confirm the denominations of each note once you receive the exchanged currency.
  
  
• Go through the images of currency denominations of the country you are travelling beforehand and keep them in mind. 

• This prevents situations where you receive lower-value currencies instead of higher-value ones.

4. Be Careful with Similar-Looking Notes 

• Many countries have currencies that resemble those of other countries.
  
  
• Be careful not to pay the wrong currency if you are carrying currencies of multiple countries.
  
  
• For instance, travellers visiting Egypt purchase US Dollars from India and usually exchange them on arrival for cheap exchange rates. So, while carrying both US Dollars and Egyptian Dollars in your wallet, there are high chances that you mix them up and pay the wrong currency. That is, if you pay 100 US Dollars instead of 100 Egyptian Dollars, it is equivalent to paying roughly Rs 9000 instead of Rs 200!

5. Check and Fix Mistakes at the Counter

• If you realise that a mistake happened during a payment or currency exchange, clear it at once.
  

• Verifying later is not helpful because, without immediate verification, proving such errors is extremely difficult.

• The Egypt example mentioned earlier did happen in real life to a family. By the time they returned to the shop 30 minutes later, the shopkeeper denied receiving US Dollars.

6. Keep Your Wallet in Your Front Pocket

• Pickpockets usually target back pockets as they are easy to access, and the travellers rarely notice the theft immediately. 
  

• Keeping your wallet in the front pocket makes you more cautious.
  
  
• As it is visible to you, it becomes harder for someone to steal.

7. Never Keep All Your Money in One Place

• One of the biggest travel mistakes is keeping all cash, cards, and foreign currency in a single wallet.

• Always split it and store in different locations, like your wallet, backpack, hotel safe, and with your travel partner.

• Even if one set of cash is lost or stolen, you still have access to other funds.

8. Carry Your Daily Budget while Sightseeing

• Avoid taking your entire travel budget while stepping out.
  
  
• Take only the amount required for the day and keep the rest of the amount safe in the hotel locker.
  

9. Load Currency in a Forex Card 

• Forex cards are prepaid cards on which you can load your desired amount of foreign currency before your travel and lock the exchange rate, safeguarding you from further exchange rate fluctuations.
  
  
• Load 70% of your total travel budget in a forex card and withdraw it as local currency at ATMs when required or make payments at POS machines safely.
  
  
• These cards are protected by PIN and an EMV chip, and round the clock fraud-monitoring, making them secure.
  
  
• If your card is lost, you can block it using the Forex card app or by contacting the service provider.
  
  
• Most forex card kits come with a secondary card, which you can use in case the primary card is lost or stolen.
  
  
• If the forex card gets stolen or lost, forex card service providers often offer emergency cash services.

Also Read: How to Use Forex Card – A to Z Guide for Indian Travellers

Remember, most money-related travel mistakes happen due to hurry, distraction, or overconfidence. Slowing down for a few extra seconds while giving or receiving cash can make a huge difference. With the right precautions, smart currency practices, and a forex card in hand, you can focus on enjoying your international trip without worrying about avoidable losses.

Also Read: Don’t Bring Foreign Coins Back to India – What to Do Instead?

Comments