How much cash to take, 7 Days in London Tour

Hi!
Your going to get a wide range of responses as to how much cash to carry, some wait until they get to Heathrow and go to a ATM, others will take some cash with them before they leave the US. I fall into the latter group, I go to my bank and get ~$500 worth of the local currency when I travel so I don't have to go looking for an ATM when trying to get my transportation connection from the airport. The nice thing about a Rick Steves tour is that your lodging & transportation is already paid for along with all your breakfasts and half your suppers, and entrance fees to the sites your seeing. You really only need money for lunch and 1/2 the suppers and whatever souvenirs you want. Your going to love London, if you get a chance take a tour of Downton Abby (Highclere Castle), it's pretty amazing.

I am like Donald, usually have about $500 worth in local currency when we arrive and then use a combo of cash and credit cards as needed. We then also visit the ATMs if needed.
I put as much on credit cards as I can as I find they offer the best exchange rate

I only took about 100 GBP for a 5 day trip (two people) and charged the rest on a credit card that didn't charge exchange fees. I found that worked great. The bills are easy to count, but it's kind of annoying to have to count out change if you aren't familiar with the denominations on sight.

It just depends on if you have credit cards you can use or if your bank has a partner bank in England that will allow you to withdraw money from an ATM without insane fees. I probably could have used an extra 20 GPB, but we could have gone to an ATM and gotten some extra out if we had really needed to.

Be sure to carry some coins though for use of public toilets.

I represent the opposite view. In the last 10 years or so I always wait until I get there and then find an ATM to get cash - the exchange rates through the ATM are better than you'll get at a bank here. I will caveat this by saying my credit cards have no exchange or add on fees.

Last year, I waited till I got to an ATM. I used $100 a day as my ballpark figure for spending money. I did use a credit card at some of the museums, for souvenir buying, but mostly relied on cash. The most confusing cash thing for me was the coins. It took me a while to figure out which were which.

You know, I just got a good idea. I have some coins at home from last year. I ought to sit down and really look them over so they are more familiar when I go this year.

I did that tour last May with Robert as our guide and had a great time!

I wait and get cash from an ATM machine once I arrive. I typically withdraw $300 worth of local currency and refresh as needed. Other than big purchases such as hotels & trains, I pay cash for everything. I think learning and using the local money system is part of the fun! I do try to leave with $100 of the local currency for my next trip back and to show folks back home some foreign money.

On a tour I think Rick suggests a figure of $50/day for incidentals and food. I usually spend less but that is my starting figure. I also get $200-300 of local money to start with. Now I just save some over from my last trip! I want enough to last me my first day so I dont have to deal with an ATP/Cashpoint jet-lagged.

Nancy,
I work for a bank and usually get 500 - 700 in the local currency before a trip to take with me as I get an employee discount on the exchange rate. I just went on the RS 7 Days in Rome tour and allocated myself approx. 70Euros a day for incidentals. I used my credit card for hotel stays before and after the tour and a couple dinners on my own. I came home with 200 Euros in cash to take with me on my next trip in Sept. - the RS Heart of Ireland tour. My goal is to minimize the use of my ATM card - my card was stolen last October, in Rome, actually. So I am gun-shy about using it to get cash or even to purchase things as well. My new rule for myself is: if I have to get cash from an ATM, only use a bank ATM during the work day, Monday - Friday. That way if something happens, I can go immediately into the bank and find the bank manager to take care of any problem.
Judy B

Opinions will vary from person to person because we all spend different amounts.

Pounds can be acquired at ATM's in any arrival airport. But, since I don't want to bother with that, I buy 100 pounds at my departure airport. Yes, I don't get the best possible rate, but I have the cash in hand to get me into town if things go really awry. Also means I don't need to be in a hurry to get cash the next morning.

Don't forget to advise the card issuer of the dates of your travel and consider asking them to bump up your daily withdrawal limit for the duration of the trip. Some cards do not not charge transaction fees and some have relationships with specific UK banks that save you a bit of money if you use their machines.

I like to use cash for ordinary daily expenses like meals, etc., and credit cards for large expenses, like hotels, car rental, etc. Using a card gives you some ability to dispute a charge if necessary.

I am thinking about not bringing my ATM card at all. The less I have to worry about getting stolen or misplaced, the better. Any thoughts on that?

I am thinking about not bringing my ATM card at all. The less I have to worry about getting stolen or misplaced, the better. Any thoughts on that?

Make sure you know your cards daily maximum for cash withdrawls. I arrived at Heathrow and tried to take out too much at once, locking my card. Luckily my bank back home had just opened and was able to unlock the card for me.

I have posted this a hundred and one times -- the cheapest and most convenient way to obtain local currency is an ATM card at a bank owned ATM in country - absolutely. I think taking 500 in is a little excessive. We always try to take 100 to 125 local currency to cover the first day or two before hitting an ATM. Your debit card is something that you should not leave at home.

I am thinking about not bringing my ATM card at all. The less I have to worry about getting stolen or misplaced, the better. Any thoughts on that?

It's 2017 - if you don't carry a debit card that would be seen as weird. A card can be replaced, cash cannot.

I would bring your ATM card. My start up cash lasts me for a couple of days then I need more cash. I don't pay much be CC except my hotel. You will have your hotel covered with the RS tour but you'll have the days after in Bath and maybe a day or two before in London? Have you purchased your train ticket already?

I leave my ATM card in my money belt unless I am going to the ATM/Cashpoint. In London, that is right around the corner from my hotel, so I zip to the ATM, get cash, stuff it in my purse, head back to the hotel and re-arrange with my Debit card and all my cash except the cash I'll need for that day zipped back in the money belt.

One advantage of using cash for small purchases is that you won't get flagged by your cred/debit card company if you have a lot of small purchases. This has happened to me twice, although thankfully never overseas.