Gap year travel tourists should take into account the current exchange rate before getting their foreign currency, one expert has revealed.
Commenting in the Independent, Martyn Hocking of Which? noted that tourists could end up severely out of pocket if they wait until the last minute to change their cash.
He told the newspaper: "Don't wait until the last minute to buy your foreign currency, as exchange rates at airport bureaux de change are generally not as good as those on the high street or online."
But Mr Hocking also warned against using cards abroad, which can carry up to 2.5 per cent "loading fees" for overseas transactions.
Lenders may also cancel cards if they see that it has been used in a remote destination without prior notification because of concerns over identity theft.
Mr Hocking therefore advises travelers to inform their card provider before they go abroad to rule out any blocked transactions in sticky situations, such as when paying for
hostels.
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