Money
Spending Money and Currency
SPENDING MONEY
Explorica recommends that each participant budget $30 to $50 in spending money each day for souvenirs and any transportation and meals that are not included in the tour fee.
Participants will also need to budget an additional amount for tipping Tour Directors, bus drivers, and cruise ship staff. Visit the Tipping on Tour page for more information.
RECOMMENDED METHODS
PERSONAL DEBIT AND PREPAID DEBIT, ATM, & GIFT CARDS
Personal Debit Cards and Prepaid Debit, ATM, & Gift Cards are safe and convenient ways to access money while abroad. Using these cards will allow you to make purchases and/ or withdraw local money at a fair rate and with a minimal charge compared to the high fees often charged by money changers. Nonetheless, please note the differences between these cards before selecting which type you would like to take on tour.
Personal Debit Cards: These cards are linked to your personal bank account. They may be used to make purchases from merchants or to withdraw cash from ATM machines. It is important that you contact your bank before you leave to make sure that your debit card and PIN number will work abroad, and also to let your bank know that you are traveling to avoid security flags and frozen accounts.
Prepaid Debit Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may be used to make purchases from merchants or to withdraw cash from card-affiliated ATM machines.
Prepaid ATM Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may only be used to withdraw cash from a affiliated ATM machines. They may not be used to make purchases or obtain cash back from merchants.
Prepaid Gift Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may only be used to make purchases from merchants. They may not be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine or obtain cash back from a merchant.
Please note that some cards are for domestic use only. Make sure your card does not say, "Valid only in the United States" before taking it on tour.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards can also be used abroad but it is important to note that some foreign countries require that credit cards have a PIN number (not required in the US). Speak to your credit provider about the possibility of needing a PIN number, to make sure your credit card will be accepted abroad, and also to inform them of your travel plans to avoid security flags and frozen accounts.
CASH
Explorica recommends that you limit the amount of cash that you carry and instead carry your ATM card or prepaid cash card. Before you leave, exchange enough money to get you through your first day abroad, and after that just withdraw money from the ATM as you need it. This will also help you avoid exchange rate fees if you travel to countries that use different currencies.
TRAVELER’S CHECKS
Traveler’s checks are not recommended as many international vendors no longer accept Traveler’s Check redemptions.
CURRENCY
Because most European countries have joined the European Union and have converted to the Euro, participants of many of our European tours will not have to worry about currency conversions. However, if you would like to find out more information on current exchange rates, visit the XE currency converter site.
SPENDING MONEY
Explorica recommends that each participant budget $30 to $50 in spending money each day for souvenirs and any transportation and meals that are not included in the tour fee.
Participants will also need to budget an additional amount for tipping Tour Directors, bus drivers, and cruise ship staff. Visit the Tipping on Tour page for more information.
RECOMMENDED METHODS
PERSONAL DEBIT AND PREPAID DEBIT, ATM, & GIFT CARDS
Personal Debit Cards and Prepaid Debit, ATM, & Gift Cards are safe and convenient ways to access money while abroad. Using these cards will allow you to make purchases and/ or withdraw local money at a fair rate and with a minimal charge compared to the high fees often charged by money changers. Nonetheless, please note the differences between these cards before selecting which type you would like to take on tour.
Personal Debit Cards: These cards are linked to your personal bank account. They may be used to make purchases from merchants or to withdraw cash from ATM machines. It is important that you contact your bank before you leave to make sure that your debit card and PIN number will work abroad, and also to let your bank know that you are traveling to avoid security flags and frozen accounts.
Prepaid Debit Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may be used to make purchases from merchants or to withdraw cash from card-affiliated ATM machines.
Prepaid ATM Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may only be used to withdraw cash from a affiliated ATM machines. They may not be used to make purchases or obtain cash back from merchants.
Prepaid Gift Cards: The available balance on these cards is dependent on what was prepaid prior to use. They may only be used to make purchases from merchants. They may not be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine or obtain cash back from a merchant.
Please note that some cards are for domestic use only. Make sure your card does not say, "Valid only in the United States" before taking it on tour.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards can also be used abroad but it is important to note that some foreign countries require that credit cards have a PIN number (not required in the US). Speak to your credit provider about the possibility of needing a PIN number, to make sure your credit card will be accepted abroad, and also to inform them of your travel plans to avoid security flags and frozen accounts.
CASH
Explorica recommends that you limit the amount of cash that you carry and instead carry your ATM card or prepaid cash card. Before you leave, exchange enough money to get you through your first day abroad, and after that just withdraw money from the ATM as you need it. This will also help you avoid exchange rate fees if you travel to countries that use different currencies.
TRAVELER’S CHECKS
Traveler’s checks are not recommended as many international vendors no longer accept Traveler’s Check redemptions.
CURRENCY
Because most European countries have joined the European Union and have converted to the Euro, participants of many of our European tours will not have to worry about currency conversions. However, if you would like to find out more information on current exchange rates, visit the XE currency converter site.
Cash, credit card, or ATM card?
Rick Steves' Money Travel Tips
Rick Steves' Cash and Currency Tips
IndependentTraveler.com: The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas
USA Today: The Best Way to Exchange Money While Traveling in Europe
Fodor's Travel: Exchanging Your Money Abroad - 10 Simple Tips
The Saavy Backpacker: Using Money in Europe (this site is very clear for a newbie)
How to Get Cash When Traveling in Europe (step-by-step instructions)
Rick Steves' Cash and Currency Tips
IndependentTraveler.com: The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas
USA Today: The Best Way to Exchange Money While Traveling in Europe
Fodor's Travel: Exchanging Your Money Abroad - 10 Simple Tips
The Saavy Backpacker: Using Money in Europe (this site is very clear for a newbie)
How to Get Cash When Traveling in Europe (step-by-step instructions)
Money Safety Tips
Tipping on Tour
Like any member of the service industry, Tour Directors, bus drivers and local guides depend on tips to make a living. Group Leaders are advised to collect tip money from each participant at the beginning of the tour to avoid confusion and lack of money at the end of the tour.
TOUR DIRECTOR
On international tours, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director a minimum of €4 (or roughly $5) per person, per day. Additional tips are at your discretion; tipping €5 per day is common for outstanding performance. Tips should be presented in the local currency.
BUS DRIVER
On international tours, each participant is expected to tip their bus driver €2 EUR (or roughly $3) per person, per day. Tips should be presented in the local currency.
LOCAL TOUR GUIDES
Tipping for local tour guides is at the discretion of the Group Leader. If you would like to tip your local guide it is advised that tip money be collected in advance as well.
TOUR DIRECTOR
On international tours, it is customary to tip your full-time Tour Director a minimum of €4 (or roughly $5) per person, per day. Additional tips are at your discretion; tipping €5 per day is common for outstanding performance. Tips should be presented in the local currency.
BUS DRIVER
On international tours, each participant is expected to tip their bus driver €2 EUR (or roughly $3) per person, per day. Tips should be presented in the local currency.
LOCAL TOUR GUIDES
Tipping for local tour guides is at the discretion of the Group Leader. If you would like to tip your local guide it is advised that tip money be collected in advance as well.