How much "extra" money for vacation?

[FairestOfThemAll37]

how do you decide how much extra money to bring on vacation? I'm headed on vacation (overseas) and am really struggling with how much money to get.

I'll put major things on cc so not worried about that. Part of my problem, I think, is that I don't really have any plans other than eating and shopping lol.

I don't really have a budget per se either so it's not like I'll bring x amount and that's it. I'd like to avoid to much exchange back and forth.

Any ideas on how to logically approach this? This isn't my first overseas trip but it's been awhile since I've done anything other than beaches and crushing abroad which is pretty easy.

I'm just so flighty on this one >.<
TIA!

 

[Minniesgal]

I fly all over the world and never take money anywhere. I pay for food and hotels on my credit card and if I need cash I use the bank machines. No real need to worry about how much to take anymore cash is instant access pretty much anywhere.

 

[Marionnette]

I fly all over the world and never take money anywhere. I pay for food and hotels on my credit card and if I need cash I use the bank machines. No real need to worry about how much to take anymore cash is instant access pretty much anywhere.

Agreed! The automated tellers are a great way to access cash when you need it. It's just a matter of being able to find them. Make sure that you check with your bank about fees and let them know that you will be traveling abroad so that they don't freeze your card.

 

[AnnaS]

We don't carry much cash. Maybe a 1/4 of what I estimate my trip (dinners, etc.) might cost. We always need a few dollars for tipping, paying for small purchases, water, ice cream, flea market/type vendor and once in a blue moon we might come across a place where I feel more comfortable just paying cash. Sometimes an ATM is not within reach/place, time wise, etc. Have a great trip!!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I fly all over the world and never take money anywhere. I pay for food and hotels on my credit card and if I need cash I use the bank machines. No real need to worry about how much to take anymore cash is instant access pretty much anywhere.

Have you traveled to Japan recently by chance? If I were going anywhere else I wouldn't be particularly concerned but when I lived there 7ish years ago most ATMs didn't accept "foreign" cards and you'd have to track down a main post office branch. Plus many places didn't accept credit cards outside of hotels, larger restaurants and now taxis. From what I hear it has gotten a little better but still very much a place where you need cash.

I think maybe I'll bring less and hope to find a foreign ATM if I need one.

When I lived there I usually carried around $600-800 cash with me on a daily basis, which was normal and probably on the low end for most Japansese. Here, I don't have cash unless it's for a specific purpose.