If you plan on traveling to another country, then you’re going to need some different money. The kind that you may have never seen nor dealt with before.
I’ve just published a new page on this website in my travel resources section dealing with the subject. To give you an idea on what’s covered; here are the headings and an extract.
In nearly every town or city there are money exchange stores. Some are nationalized or private banks, others official agents, others semi official, others still are back alley black market stalls. And of course there’s the horde of people found on the street around these establishments. Which one to use though?
If one is not comfortable in dealing with street sellers, or those strange dark little buildings with dollar rates painted on the side: then I would just go to a bank. The rates will be worse, but you will feel more secure.
For me I enjoy the banter of the run down back alley money changers. The rates are usually better than the banks and better than the street dealers.
In West Africa the whole process is quite a sit down affair. Pleasantries are exchanged, and a bit of haggling takes place.
In Iran it’s often done in a Bazaar. I changed money in a gold Market with extreme ease and got a host of great stories from the owners.
In Asia its more of rush in and talk to a person behind an iron grill or glass window.
Either way I choose a money changer I am comfortable with.
