Cheapest way to use ATMs abroad? HELP!

Curlyhatescurls

Hello,

I am travelling around SE Asia for six months and I'm trying to work out the cheapest and best way to access my money abroad. I currently have a Graduate Bank of Ireland Account. It seems to cost quite a lot to use ATMs abroad - does anyone know which is the cheapest bank to use? Should I get a credit card? What are my options?

I would appreciate any help as the more I look into it the more negative information there seems to be:( I will obviously try to limit my use of ATMS but I can't be carrying wads of cash around in my backpack.

I also have online banking if that helps?

keithclancy

For a start, I would recommend that you are super vigilant in Asia, don't just use your card to pay in Restaurants/Cafes etc, pay in Cash if possible. Keep the cards separate if you can.

Maybe a Moneybookers card that you can load from your account at home, that way if you lose it your potential loses will be limited.
https://www.skrill.com/en/vip/mastercard/

BOI Charge interest from the moment you withdraw cash from an ATM on their Credit Card Product so don't use it for that, unless you put on the money first, however if you get scammed on your CC this will not be covered by the bank, even if its not your fault.

I would recommend you do bring a credit card though for emergencies, or use it when the trust factor is high (e.g. in a Bank) if the worst happens and you lose your cards Visa will have a new card out to you the next day via courier.

Also if you want to use your Debit card outside the Eurozone you may have to inform your bank.

Also I'm probably a bit of a freak but I always kept the amount for a Taxi ride back to the hotel + a bit more in my shoe :pac:

ardmacha

I believe the EBS debit card has a less outrageous commission than many banks.

Atlantic Dawn

One big problem is most Irish banks only allow you withdraw around €150 a day so the fees to withdraw adds up.

Curlyhatescurls

Thanks for all the advice everyone, it is much appreciated and has given me a lot of food for thought.

keithclancy - if I got a BOI credit card, used online banking to transfer just enough funds each week to keep the account in credit (and not risk losing loads of money as it's only a weeks worth) Could that be the best option? How does a credit card differ from a debit card when using ATMs?

Also, I wonder would a credit card allow me to withdraw more money than an ATM?

berger89

Best card ever is the O2 visa card.
It's prepaid, so you can never overdraw. I would have been lost without it on my travels in south america; it was a real life saver coz my Irish bank card didn't work sometimes.
So I would get that, and top it up by as much as possible I think 500eurpo is the max, but not entirely sure)

Limit your withdrawals to once a week with your bank card. Put money in your bra (no joke) (and I'm assuming you're female!), and use a bumbag. If you feel you MAY get into a spot of bother, just carry some coins in your pockets, no notes. I had the unfortunate incident of having someone stick their hand in my pocket in a train station. All they got was a snotty tissue though,

And as for being charged using your card..it depends on the (Asian) bank too, not just the Irish one