DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: How Much Cash to Take on Vacation?

  • j2r · 2 years ago
    Depends on where I'm going. If I'm going to a big city with lots of ATMs available, then probably $100.

    But if I'm going to a place in the mountains or more isolated, then probably more. But definitely not more than $300.

    Like you, I try to use my cards as much as possible.
  • Modern Worker · 2 years ago
    Fitting post, being that I'm hitting the road for vacation this week =)
  • Ted · 2 years ago
    I generally bring whatever my budget is minus gas, which would go on a gas card. That way I don't overspend. Its too easy to splurge and lose track of spending when using a card on vacation.
  • Rob · 2 years ago
    I usually take about $60 - $100 in equivalent local currency, but I've really only ever vacationed in areas where ATMs are fairly available.
  • klerg88 · 2 years ago
    It varies for me. My wife & I are going to Miami in two weeks but only for the weekend. We're having a fancy-like dinner at a swanky hotel and that'll be my biggest expense. Counting cabs to and from two different airports, I'll probably take $4-500...that'll pretty much keep me from putting stuff on my credit card.

    Now when we go to Vegas, that's a different story. I usually go out with $1000 and NEVER use a credit card while I'm out there. Mercifully, the last two trips out there, I actually won money so spending-wise, I broke even.

    We recently did a 10 day jaunt to Spain & Morocco and did quite a bit of shopping and drinking. I took $1800 for that one.
  • klerg88 · 2 years ago
    I should actually clarify my statement...

    For both my Vegas and overseas trips, I took $200 in cash with me but the rest was in my bank account. I either got $ from an ATM or from credit/debit card use. While I'm not a big CC fan, I'm not insane enough to carry that many greenbacks with me at once.
  • mapgirl · 2 years ago
    I went to NYC last weekend with about $260 and came home with about $20 or 30 in my pocket. If I had left with $500, I probably would have returned with the same, as I did end up breaking out the credit card a few times to ensure I had enough cash for the whole duration. (You can barter better deals if you carry cash.)
  • Jeremy · 2 years ago
    Rural? Driving? At least $1000 cash, stashed away, put back into the bank when I get home. [expletive] happens.
  • sarah · 2 years ago
    We took about $600 cash to the UK earlier this year and came home with about $400 because getting cash from an ATM was such a better deal than paying the crazy high commissions to exchange cash. For a domestic trip, I would take around $200 tops and charge most things.
  • CGfromTexas · 2 years ago
    I look at what my activities for the day are and pull cash out of the ATM to meet those costs. I only put airline, rental car and hotel on credit. I can keep my family of four fed and happy on about $150 to $200 a day.
  • Tim · 2 years ago
    $100 regardless of where I travel unless I know there are no cash machines or cannot use credit cards.
  • Matt · 2 years ago
    Depending on where I'm travelling I tend to carry between $100-300; I don't like carrying too much cash but when you get to a place you haven't been you don't know what to expect - cash is accepted everywhere, credit cards aren't
  • Heather · 2 years ago
    I bring $15 for each day I'll be away, which covers things like public transportation fare, donations in museums, and the occasional cup of coffee or ice cream cone. I use my credit card for lodging, airfare, car rental, and meals, and then I pay the credit card balance the day after I get home.
  • bk · 2 years ago
    you should pay for your girlfriend instead of making her pay you back.
  • Chris · 2 years ago
    My wife & I just got back from Cozumel, Mexico for a week at an all-inclusive resort & we brought $200 & only used about $120 of cash.
  • jOANN · 1 year ago
    I am planing a trip to California and i will be driving, We will stay with family for the most part but take of and spend one night in a hotel. For Gas and Food and Entertainment for a family of four I plan to take 1700.00 Not planing on using CC.