Travelling to London - what's the best way to pay? Cash / Credit card / Laser?

B

billy.k

Guest
Hi guys,

I'll be travelling to London soon and I was wondering if you have any advice for the best way to pay for food and shopping.

I am a newbye on this and I am concerned that credit card / banks will rip me off with their charges/rates.

Thanks a lot!
 
If you've got it then cash is king.

P.S. Are you a relative of mine?
 
If you are travelling to a juristiction with a different currency, you will be charged by someone, somewhere for a currency conversion. You cant avoid paying a bank,
even if you consider this a "rip-off"

Laser does not work abroad for POS purchases, but can be used in ATM if it is a Maestro or Cirrus card also.

If you get cash converted in Ireland, you will be charged a fee via the conversion rate
If you withdraw cash using your CC or ATM card in London , you will be charged a fee and be subject to the conversion rate they apply
If you use your CC for purchases, you will be subject to the conversion rate they apply

You need to find out what these fees and conversion rates are, and decide which suits you.
I would suggest asking your card provider for this information.

I think the safest and cheapest way to spend money abroad is to use CC for all purchases where possible and use cash for small items like publoic transport / taxis / snacks etc.
 
Make sure any Sterling you bring is Bank of England, they don't like the Northern Irish, Scotish notes in London.
 
Thanks guys for the replies, they helped me with some misunderstanding I had.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For public transport, get an Oyster card at the first tube station you go to. Top this up at a station using your credit card - not in a newsagent. Tubes, buses, trams, overland trains and boats work on this on a pay as you go basis. You can only pay a certain maximum amount each day - usually about £6.
 
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