Backpacking Packing List Money
and Travel Documents
"Backpacking Packing List Money and Travel Documents" was last updated on Jan 08, 2011
First, some general info on money and documents:
The obvious part:
Don`t leave your money and travel documents at home!
And of course, put it in your hand-luggage.
This tip may sound
obvious to someone. But when you're in a rush, even this can go wrong!
I've actually seen travelers locking up their backpack by the check-in
counter at the airport, cause they accidentally packed documents in there.
How to store your travel documents while traveling:
Use a travel document holder. I've used mine each time I travel, and it's a terrific way of organizing your important documents.
What's worse than losing your passport, and run around Asia to find the nearest embassy?
-- A waste of your precious time if you ask me.
Travel document holders usually contain several card pockets, a pocket for your flight ticket and passport.
I'm an owner of a REI travel document holder and I'm very satisfied with it :-)
In this travel document holder I keep electronic tickets (flights), train e-tickets, passport, accommodation bookings,
vaccination card, insurance card and passport photos.
Shop around for exchange rates. Before departure and when you're abroad,
check the rates at your local bank first. It is common that exchange booths at the airport charge you a larger fee. So, try to find a bank in
town!
Want to know the exchange rate? Click into XE`s Currency Converter.
When you're at the counter to exchange, ask for small bills
as well! This will save you time and money.
Small bills are practical when taking the local transport in Asia, buying stuff at small family-shops,
at the market etc.
If you try to pay
with a large bill, they will often ask if you have anything smaller (like in India).
If you don't have anything smaller, they will tell you to exchange it into
smaller bills. And THAT can take you some time!
A bank is not always at close range.
When you`re new in a country:
The worst case scenario is exchanging money with a local in the street. That person will likely take
an advantage of your temporary ignorance. You will likely get less value for the money compared to
what a bank would have given you.
Backpacking Packing List Money and Travel Documents:
Pre-departure, USD dollars are most likely the best allround currency you can bring, because it's
easily exchanged into local currency.
Example: In Laos, immigration officials at the borders prefer payment with $ rather than Lao kip because the rate is better with $.
$-dollars are also accepted as payment, at least in small bills.
When using ATMs in Cambodia, you'll get $ and not Cambodian riel.
Here are the currencies for each country:
Thailand -- Baht
Laos -- Kip
Cambodia -- Riel
India -- Rupies
Malaysia -- Ringgit
Philippines -- Pesos
South Korea -- Won
Find an appropriate amount you are comfortable carrying, and can afford to lose. Then exchange it into the right currency.
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Backpacking Packing List Money and Travel Documents:
You must bring:
- Passport
and visas
- Tickets (electronic)
- Money (cash, credit cards, travel cheques)
- Travel insurance card
- Vaccination card
In case of accidents,
the nurses or doctor can take a look at what vaccines you have taken.
And in cases where you
have traveled directly from country with yellow fever (example Africa), you will have to show papers to the officials
that you have been vaccinated for this.
- Photocopies of all the above
- Passport photographs for visas (like in Cambodia, Laos and India where it's required)
When you take
a photograph, make sure your whole head, face and top
of your shoulders is clearly visible and don't cover your eyes with your hair. If you use glasses, the lenses must be clear and not coloured.
- Address book (for sending postcards)
- Extra money purse (to keep different currencies separated)
How to store your cash while traveling:
Use a money belt!
I prefer the smaller version of monely belts made of silk because:
- They take less space
- More invisible under your shirt than the ones made of cotton
- More gentle on the skin (silk money belts are soft and don't scratch)
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Backpacking Packing List Money and Travel Documents:
Additionals to consider:
- International Driving Permit (if you consider driving at all)
You can drive in Thailand, India, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos.
But the real question is: Do you really want to?
Driving in Asia is not a piece of cake. They hardly follow traffic rules and most of them don't have any driving education.
And on top of this, there are cows, goats, camels, people walking in the middle of a driving road, unfinished roads, bikes, bicycles
etc.
You have to expect that people can park in the walking streets and they will park around your car, if they have to!
It's literally a driving h***!
If you're driving in Malaysia, you have to drive on the left side of the road (as Britain and Australia). For more information on
driving in Malaysia, click here.
But if you still want to drive in Thailand, you can check out this link:
Wanna know about Driving and Traffic Rules in Thailand, click here.
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You're done with Backpacking Packing List Money and Travel Documents, where do you want to go next?
Want to know more about money safety? Go to my money safety article.
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Backpacking Packing List Gear and Electronics
Backpacking Packing List How to Pack
Backpacking Packing List Toiletries and Medical Supplies
Backpacking Packing List Clothes Accessories Other Essentials
Backpacking Packing List Footwear
How to pack light? (Lightweight backpacking)
About Osprey, Lowe Alpine, Eagle Creek and other backpacking backpacks
About choosing the right travel cameras and various camera brands
How to choose the right travel guide books
How to find the best and cheap backpackers travel insurance
Backpacking for beginners: How to travel safe
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