Let's Talk Money

Let’s Talk Money!

Many questions are swirling regarding money for the trip. Here are a few final details before our “Rules of the Road” meeting.

Spending Money: It is up to each traveler and his or her parents as to how much spending money to take on the 23 day adventure. Remember, students will be purchasing lunch, waters, snacks, gifts, mementos, and extras as the trip progresses. Taking $800-$1000 spending money would not be unreasonable but each students needs to decide what his or her budget is going to be.

Traveler’s Checks: We are advising students to carry their spending money in the form of traveler’s checks. We will be making stops along the trip for students to exchange money and traveler’s checks are accepted everywhere along our journey. Be sure to purchase US dollar traveler’s checks not Euro. Making copies of the traveler’s checks and keeping the copies in a separate area of your large suitcase is important. Bank/Debit/Credit cards will be no problem in large cities but no guarantees can be made in our smaller destinations. A bank/debit/credit card is a great idea if a student has a major purchase but be sure to contact your bank/credit card company to give a list of the planned stops where purchases may appear. This will avoid holds or declines along the way.

Working Cash: It is a wonderful idea to have a small amount of “working cash” for each country we plan on visiting. This can be purchased at the downtown branch of Intrust Bank. Downstairs in the International Currency department, Euros, Swiss Francs, and British Pounds are available. Mr. Smith just purchased a “working cash” pack and the breakdown was as follows:


GBP (British)

Foreign Currency: 15

Exchange Rate (Varies Daily): 2.0786

USD Equivalent: $31.18

EUR (Euro)

Foreign Currency: 20

Exchange Rate (Varies Daily): 1.4107

USD Equivalent: $28.21

CHF (Swiss)

Foreign Currency: 30

Exchange Rate (Varies Daily): 1.1717

USD Equivalent: $25.60

Total $ Spent: $84.99

For roughly $85, Mr. Smith now has a small amount of “working cash” for each country we visit. This money will hold him over as we exchange traveler’s checks.

Keep in mind, that having $30 or so in US money will be valuable as we come and go through airports.

Tips: Each will students will need to bring roughly $125 in traveler’s checks for tips that will come up along the way. For group tours, it is customary to tip the bus driver, tour manager, and cruise personnel. Money will be collected at the end of the trip and cruise and distributed as one lump sum.