Planning Money

Surprise surprise, I've done next to nothing about this so far. I have had no idea what currency applies to what country, nor do I know how to obtain said currencies when I arrive in any given destination. I'm basically winging the entire trip and know that this approach will cost me dear in the end.

All part of the fun surely?

I did have some hope that I could turn up with GBP and that would do. The British Empire did stretch pretty far but most of my route traverses areas that were sadly not under our wing. The romantic notion of me in pith helmet, sporting a swagger stick and waving pound notes in the air in anticipation of deity-like adoration, is not likely to endear me to the local populous I suspect.

Ok, so here's the rundown on currencies and some initial research that will no doubt require updating as I go;

Bulgaria - Lev
No problem. Easily obtainable. Have used numerous times. Pegged to the Euro. 

Turkey - Lira
No problem. Will get a small amount of cash before I go. Enough for train fare and some food. 

Georgia - Lari
Seems as though the Lari is a closed currency. I will likely be arriving at the border town of Sarpi and hoping for an exchange bureau to be there - and open when I do - inside the Georgian customs terminal. It isn't 24/7 apparently. USD accepted widely and ATM's everywhere apparently. 

Azerbaijan - Manat More research and updates to come
Turkmenistan - Manat More research and updates to come
Uzbekistan - Som More research and updates to come
Kyrgyzstan - Som More research and updates to come
Kazakhstan - Tenge More research and updates to come
China - Yuan (or Renminbi) More research and updates to come
Burma - Kyat More research and updates to come
Vietnam - Dong More research and updates to come

Update 26/9 - Here's my problem. I'm doing eleven countries in seven or so weeks. So some of these countries will be 2-3 day affairs. That means I'll need enough money for a bottle of water and some dinner, plus bus/train fares. Not enough to warrant a costly ATM withdrawal with my regular card, nor do I want the cost of exchange bureaus etc. Finally, if I can avoid carrying large sums of cash($) with me, I think we'd all agree that would be a good thing. I've just applied for a specialist credit card with no international fees. It sounds safe, it's sounds as though the fees are mild and it's easy to carry. I will be more reliant on ATMs than I'd envisaged but hey, it's a modern world. Money worries over. 

Halifax Clarity Card review

This credit card gives near perfect exchange rates as there's no foreign exchange 'load' fee. It's our top pick because, uniquely, it has no fee for ATM withdrawals either. Pay it off IN FULL and there's no interest on spending, but you will be charged interest (c. £1/mth per £100 withdrawn) on ATM withdrawals (not spending).