Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kissability]

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm probably going to sound really ignorant and uninformed, but I don't have a clue what to do and would appreciate some help!

I am going traveling to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and India. I've saved up enough money, but it's still in my KB* account. Should I carry the money with me and exchange it in each country? For obvious reasons, I'm a bit scared to do that! Or should I exchange it into each currency while I'm still in Korea? Is there another way to do it where I don't have to take a huge amount of money with me?

I welcome any suggestions!
Thanks

[D.D.]

If you have a bank account in another country with an atm card I would send some to that account.

I would exchange the rest and carry it with you in American dollars.

Carry it in 100 bills and put it in different places and when you get to a hotel put most of it in the hotel safe.

[VanIslander]

spend it, silly! ... duh!

[Drew345]

Don't change it into foreign currencies in Korea. Cross out that idea.
Many people travel Asia with ATM cards nowadays. Certainly works in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and probably the other countries (only not Myanmar). Maybe your Korean ATM card is International? Don't count on it, try to use a home account with ATM card.
Other than that, carry US $100 bills. Try to get money with no stamps or not too old (certainly "big face" instead of old style).
For emergency, I like to keep one credit card on me, and one in my bag (locked). If either one were to ever be stolen (not yet), cancel it and use the other. Not sure if Korean credit cards have the "no liability if stolen" benefit though.

[Kissability]

Thanks for the suggestions Drew345, D.D. (and VanIslander I suppose!).

Is it better to exchange it once from Won to Dollars, then from dollars to each currency?

I was thinking of opening a KEB account because they have a visa plus debit card. Does anyone know if this would definitely work outside of Korea?
If there is still money in it when I finish traveling, how would I transfer it to my account at home if I'm not in Korea?

Cheers

[D.D.]

Don't trust a Korean card. Do u have a atm account in another country?

Quite often Canadian bank cards dont work in India ( if u are canadian).

Yes get U.S. currency here at your bank.

[losing_touch]

My KEB Global card works outside of Korea.

[santafly]

ATM card from your home country, some travelers checks ($1000) in case you end up in a place with a bank but no atm machine (also can be replaced by american express anywhere if your robbed), and maybe $400 in cash - as much as you feel wouldn't seriously impact your plans if it happens to get stolen - I would also bring some 20's and 50's cause you might need a smaller denomination in a tight situation, like paying a bribe, etc - everyone in the world wants a nice crisp 20 dollar bill.

you should change all of your money for the trip to USD before you leave

if you have time, you can open a checking account online in your home country (WAMU if your american - I just did that myself).

Do Not carry around lots of cash - there are ATM machines everywhere. I always have my bank lower my daily spending limit on my ATM card to $300 so if I am being robbed at an ATM thats all the money that they can get. Buy a money/passport belt/bag that can be worn around your waist and under your pants or around your thigh. Keep it on you.

Don't let all of this scare you - if you do it you won't be the one with the story about getting robbed - when really you had tons of cash in a bag, you put it down somewhere, and someone picked it up and walked off -I've heard that story many many times.

[santafly]

Cheers = not American

If you can't get an ATM card go with traveler's checks - less convenient but totally reliable (there was a time not long ago when there were no ATM machines in these countries). put them in a ziploc plastic bag so they dont get wet.