Talk to me like a 2nd-Grader: International Travel Basics (Slovenia)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, please do some traveling internationally. It's important. And to more places than Slovenia. Nothing wrong with Slovenia, but please get a broader international education. Whatever work you are in, it will do you good.

Spoken like a true rich person. Never change, DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, please do some traveling internationally. It's important. And to more places than Slovenia. Nothing wrong with Slovenia, but please get a broader international education. Whatever work you are in, it will do you good.

Very nice! You have truly brought "bitch" to an art form!

[Anonymous]

Back to the money: depending on how soon you're going and if it works for you, consider getting a credit card that doesn't charge exchange fees. The United and American Airlines-affiliated cards have this feature and are free for the first year.

Otherwise--you'll just have to compare which option for payment is least costly. One surprise to me: I was traveling recently, and another member of my group had gotten a very reasonable rate by just getting 1,000 euros in cash.

Of course, a lot will depend on what expenses you'll need to cover. (Is it a work trip? How is hotel being covered?)

Laundry: I'm also a fan of washing the small items often and carrying less, though I'll admit that my current preferred solution is to seek out an AirBnB with a washer.

Enjoy!

I would second the suggestion to try to travel more, but with a different angle: it's often not much (or any!) more costly than some US destinations--it's more about getting used to international travel. I hope you love your trip and it encourages you to travel more!

[Anonymous]

You got advice on logistics covered, but will you be sightseeing as well? If so, I can give ton of advice, I love Slovenia, been there many times. It is gorgeous if you are into nature and there are some castles. Let me know if you need this kind of advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, please do some traveling internationally. It's important. And to more places than Slovenia. Nothing wrong with Slovenia, but please get a broader international education. Whatever work you are in, it will do you good.

This. My 7 year old has done more international traveling and could answer these questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, please do some traveling internationally. It's important. And to more places than Slovenia. Nothing wrong with Slovenia, but please get a broader international education. Whatever work you are in, it will do you good.

Spoken like a true rich person. Never change, DCUM.

Untrue. I spent a year traveling throughout South America with very little money. Just my backpack and working a few jobs as I went.

But your response is small minded, that you need money to travel. Very...american.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the money: depending on how soon you're going and if it works for you, consider getting a credit card that doesn't charge exchange fees. The United and American Airlines-affiliated cards have this feature and are free for the first year.

Otherwise--you'll just have to compare which option for payment is least costly. One surprise to me: I was traveling recently, and another member of my group had gotten a very reasonable rate by just getting 1,000 euros in cash.

Of course, a lot will depend on what expenses you'll need to cover. (Is it a work trip? How is hotel being covered?)

Laundry: I'm also a fan of washing the small items often and carrying less, though I'll admit that my current preferred solution is to seek out an AirBnB with a washer.

Enjoy!

I would second the suggestion to try to travel more, but with a different angle: it's often not much (or any!) more costly than some US destinations--it's more about getting used to international travel. I hope you love your trip and it encourages you to travel more!

Op said she has a target mc

Q: Is there a fee for using the Target MasterCard outside the United States?
A: No, Target will not charge an International Service Assessment fee for purchases made outside of the United States.

Cash Advance (Target MasterCard only)

Q: How can I take out a cash advance on my card?
A: You can take out a cash advance at an ATM or in person at a bank, money transfer service or casino. You'll need a PIN to use an ATM.


TD Bank USA, N.A.

Q: Who is TD Bank USA, N.A.?
TD Bank USA, N.A. is the issuer of the Target Credit Card and the Target MasterCard. This change was made in March of 2013, and we notified cardholders of this change in February and March of 2013. If you have questions about your card please call Target Card Services at 1-800-424-6888 or write to Target Card Services, PO Box 673, Minneapolis, MN 55440



So. No fees. But will of course need a PIN

Keep in mind op-this is a cash advance. That is NOT the same as taking money from your own bank account. You get charged a substantial interest rate.

[Anonymous]

I think you got the logistics pretty much figured out. I'm from that part of the world and you will be able to do laundry in the hotel. Slovenia is in many ways like Austria (more advanced than Italy). It is also one of the most beautiful place in Europe so you should do some exploring. I assume you are going to Ljubljana so that's a great start.

[Anonymous]

How long is this trip? I have only done laundry on trips of 2 weeks or longer. Please make sure your bank knows exactly when you are gone so that you can use your ATM card there to get euros. You do not need to get any before you leave, but if you can, that's great and means you don't have to find an ATM right away when you arrive. That being said, every airport will have at least one ATM and if you have US dollars, you can always change them but only do that as a last resort as you'll lose money in the process.

[Anonymous]

All this advice is very helpful and appreciated.

The trip's related to my education, so the destination was chosen for me. I won't have time to sight-see on my own, though I'll be going to certain tourist attractions with a group during the week.

On the topic of traveling more, I'm minoring in Spanish and hope to be fluent upon graduation, so travel will be a priority for me in the near future - but my budget is pretty tight at the moment & I can't really get away other than this trip. The next educational trip I take will be to a Spanish-speaking country, but not until next year at least.

I had a nice thing happen today. Based on DCUM advice, I asked a few people I know if I could buy any Euros they might have. (I doubted anyone I knew would even have Euros.) Anyway, a casual acquaintance is giving her Euros to me! She won't take payment & is dropping them off. No idea how much I'm getting, but I'll have something and then I'll get more at the airport.

I'm taking notes, so keep the tips coming. Even the most basic advice is helpful.

[Anonymous]

20:34 PP, I didn't realize this, so thanks for that good advice. I called Target & the rep told me I wouldn't be charged an exchange fee by Target - but I did not know I'd be charged a cash-advance fee!

I also have a Chase Visa with a 3% fee to get Euros, and I need to call them back to see if there's a cash-advance fee on that, too. Or I can look it up online to see if I can find the info.

Bottom-line, it sounds like withdrawing Euros at the airport, using my bank ATM card, is the best way to get currency. I have to call my bank on Monday to put an international travel alert on my bank account and I'll ask them about ATM fees then.

[Anonymous]

Do not take out euros using a credit card. That's just like going to an ATM here in the US and taking out dollars - plus you'll be changed the international fee.

[Anonymous]

One more thing about laundry: It is common in many euro countries to have heated towel drying racks affixed to the bathroom wall. You can string your clothes up on this & crank it to the highest heat to dry much more quickly.

Also, there are often bidets in bathrooms. They are for rinsing your privates off after using the toilet. Not for washing clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20:34 PP, I didn't realize this, so thanks for that good advice. I called Target & the rep told me I wouldn't be charged an exchange fee by Target - but I did not know I'd be charged a cash-advance fee!

I also have a Chase Visa with a 3% fee to get Euros, and I need to call them back to see if there's a cash-advance fee on that, too. Or I can look it up online to see if I can find the info.

Bottom-line, it sounds like withdrawing Euros at the airport, using my bank ATM card, is the best way to get currency. I have to call my bank on Monday to put an international travel alert on my bank account and I'll ask them about ATM fees then.

Any time you use a ccard to get cash you will be charged as a cash advance.

[Anonymous]

Call your bank and find how how much it will cost to get euros here. It may not be too bad.