Trip to Europe, money matters
- Thread starter roaringflamer
- Start date
solasido
Senior Member
OOT:
Just an input to be careful of crimes as Europe is not as safe as Singapore.
It will be good to find out Singapore embassy/consulate's address in the countries you will be visiting.
When i was in Holland, my friend lost an atm card (it was after withdrawing some money) an apparently the pick pocket was behind and could somehow see the pin. Right after realizing the lost of the card several hours later, she called the bank to report the lost of card. But some money had been withdrawn from the card.
At another time, when in Paris, my friend lost his bag that contains his SLR and wallet. There was a guy that pretend to be nice and friendly and suggesting to take pictures facing certain building with lot of doves. When he was helping to take picture for another friend and didn't pay attention to his belongings, and his bag was stolen. He lost his SLR and passport and he had to find the embassy there to get a temporary passport (first he had to make a police report).
There was another friend who lost his wallet in Switzerland.
so, be vigilant and prepare a contingency plan while enjoying the holiday.
Just an input to be careful of crimes as Europe is not as safe as Singapore.
It will be good to find out Singapore embassy/consulate's address in the countries you will be visiting.
When i was in Holland, my friend lost an atm card (it was after withdrawing some money) an apparently the pick pocket was behind and could somehow see the pin. Right after realizing the lost of the card several hours later, she called the bank to report the lost of card. But some money had been withdrawn from the card.
At another time, when in Paris, my friend lost his bag that contains his SLR and wallet. There was a guy that pretend to be nice and friendly and suggesting to take pictures facing certain building with lot of doves. When he was helping to take picture for another friend and didn't pay attention to his belongings, and his bag was stolen. He lost his SLR and passport and he had to find the embassy there to get a temporary passport (first he had to make a police report).
There was another friend who lost his wallet in Switzerland.
so, be vigilant and prepare a contingency plan while enjoying the holiday.
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roaringflamer
Member
thanks for the advice from the bros so far 
so just wondering should i get a money belt for the trip? and as for camera gears while backpacking, would a pouch style camera bag be more useful being infront?
so just wondering should i get a money belt for the trip? and as for camera gears while backpacking, would a pouch style camera bag be more useful being infront?wildsoyabean
New Member
thanks for the advice from the bros so far
:nono:
put in front pocket...best place in socks underwear. hahaha:bsmilie:
seriously
which part of Europe u gg...different places different prices.
London = exp
east europe cheaper.
cost of expenses for meal...is what ever i spend in SG on a normal meal, x2. =) cheers
What i did was to use my credit cards when i was backpacking Europe. They are generally very accepted in Western Europe countries. Unlike Singapore where many shope have $20 or so min charge for credit cards, such thing do not happen in Europe. Many Small shops also have credit card facilities.
The credit charge exchange isn't really very bad, in fact i would say more convenient than having to worry about finding ATM that accept your card and paying the silly withdrawal charge.
If your're travelling to Eastern Europe though, cash is more important, but also beware of being mugged.
The credit charge exchange isn't really very bad, in fact i would say more convenient than having to worry about finding ATM that accept your card and paying the silly withdrawal charge.
If your're travelling to Eastern Europe though, cash is more important, but also beware of being mugged.
i went there for a month. just use cash. all change in singapore. bout 20k in sgd. then change into pounds and euros. your accomodation and transport try and book before you go over. more convinent and cash-free.
and if you use the atm machine there to withdraw money. there will be an additional of $5sgd being minus of from the amount that you withdraw.
and if you use the atm machine there to withdraw money. there will be an additional of $5sgd being minus of from the amount that you withdraw.
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I m planning for a trip to europe..This info helped me a lot.Thanks to all.
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Dental Negligence
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Dental Negligence
roaringflamer
Member
thanks to all who have replied. sorry havent been online lately due to exams and stuff but the trip is now 1 month away. all airtickets, budget air and hostels have been booked, as well as trains all reserved as well. just wondering, what bag would be good for the camera and as a handcarry while on the trip? can some people recommend? i have a d90 with 3 lenses and a flash gun which i plan to bring, as above, would a pouch type like the inverse 100/200 be an idea choice?
grainpixel
New Member
I use my lowepro slingshot, with approximate the same number of equipments as you.
It is definitely less strength taxing, than a sling shoulder bag.
It is also very convenient as I can swing the bag to my front and take out my gears..
I do not like those waistpouch type...i think quite ugly to carry one around.
Just personal opinion.
What I did was I got a pre-paid debit card (Cash Passport from Travelax Singapore) and I can use it to withdraw cash from European ATMs. Since it's not linked to my bank account, so less worry for me.
I've a blogged regarding this on my travel blog.
I've a blogged regarding this on my travel blog.
Tas Burrfoot
New Member
If I am not mistaken right (and you may double check this...), it is good if you have a local Citibank account as it does not charge anything if you withdraw from a Citi ATM in Europe.
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all about enjoying big adventures on small budget @ My Misadventures...
sshayndell12
New Member
i think almost 20k for a whole month for 2. Obviously going to eastern europe is generally going to cost substantially lesser than western Europe.
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Kerastase Reflection
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Kerastase Reflection
A note on the idea of opening a bank account for a one month trip: forget it.
You need to be a resident of the country in which you plan to open the account. I needed to prove that I reside in Singapore, when I opened my account with DBS. I needed to prove I lived - permanently and legally - in the USA, when I opened my bank account there. And even in the UK, which has less red tape than some other countries (e.g. Italy and France), you will still need to produce a utility bill (gas, electricity, water) as proof of residence, if you want to open a bank account.
Regarding the cost of living there: as small as it may appear compared to China or the USA, Europe is not a country, it is a continent, with large internal variability. Do not expect to spend the same amount for a breakfast in Venice, in Bilbao and in Ulm. Also, do not expect to find people behaving in the same way across the continent: people living in large cities will often appear to be more rude and in a hurry (nothing new here, the same applies to non-European large cities, e.g. NY) than those in smaller cities.
As a rule of thumb, the most expensive place to eat is the high street of large touristic cities: move two streets aside, and you will usually get better food (less touristy) for less money. Beware of islands too: if it takes money to bring food (and other supplies) there, the end-user price will be higher. Remember also that "Chinese", "Indian", "Thai", and other "ethnic foods" there will be considerably different (and blander) from the original versions of those same dishes.
For those afraid of thieves: consider a backpack that opens towards your back. I use a Lowepro Flipside, and while it's a pain in the **** because I have to remove it from my back to open it, it's also reassuring that ... a thief would have to remove it from my back, to take anything from it.
And this brings to a last bit of advice: the safest backpack is the one you have on your back. Put it down, and you might as well put a "Thieves welcome" sign on it. So, keep it light, that will help you carrying it around.
Enjoy Europe.
You need to be a resident of the country in which you plan to open the account. I needed to prove that I reside in Singapore, when I opened my account with DBS. I needed to prove I lived - permanently and legally - in the USA, when I opened my bank account there. And even in the UK, which has less red tape than some other countries (e.g. Italy and France), you will still need to produce a utility bill (gas, electricity, water) as proof of residence, if you want to open a bank account.
Regarding the cost of living there: as small as it may appear compared to China or the USA, Europe is not a country, it is a continent, with large internal variability. Do not expect to spend the same amount for a breakfast in Venice, in Bilbao and in Ulm. Also, do not expect to find people behaving in the same way across the continent: people living in large cities will often appear to be more rude and in a hurry (nothing new here, the same applies to non-European large cities, e.g. NY) than those in smaller cities.
As a rule of thumb, the most expensive place to eat is the high street of large touristic cities: move two streets aside, and you will usually get better food (less touristy) for less money. Beware of islands too: if it takes money to bring food (and other supplies) there, the end-user price will be higher. Remember also that "Chinese", "Indian", "Thai", and other "ethnic foods" there will be considerably different (and blander) from the original versions of those same dishes.
For those afraid of thieves: consider a backpack that opens towards your back. I use a Lowepro Flipside, and while it's a pain in the **** because I have to remove it from my back to open it, it's also reassuring that ... a thief would have to remove it from my back, to take anything from it.
And this brings to a last bit of advice: the safest backpack is the one you have on your back. Put it down, and you might as well put a "Thieves welcome" sign on it. So, keep it light, that will help you carrying it around.
Enjoy Europe.
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