cash withdrawals

[doogied]

What would you suggest is the cheapest way to withdraw money and make purchases in Australia? I'm wondering about transferring money from a bank here to a bank in Australia, and then withdraw it when I get there, but can't find a website that gives any information on this either.

[jno]

if you've got the right symbol on your cash card (ask your bank what it is) you should be able to withdraw money direct from your UK account while abroad without having to set up an Australian account. Your bank manager should be able to tell you if this is possible.

[ladyalex]

Have a look at CAXTON FX
It's a kind of a credit card that you load with currency, in your case Australian Dollars, then as long as the money lasts out you can use it as a credit card or to withdraw cash from an ATM
Worked for us in the US.

Have a look.

http://www.caxtonfx.c...ds/currency_cards.asp

[Panic Button]

Don't know, but Martin might be able to help

http://www.moneysavin...el/cheap-travel-money

[tamborine]

Lloyds, Nat West, HSBC have all got branches in Aussie - just withdraw as monies there as you would here. You may have to produce ID etc.

[KARL]

Regarding whether to transfer to an account abroad, you are likely to find serious obstacles to setting up an account in most countries other than where you live due to requirements for documentation, etc. and also, you might easily find that you can only draw money from that account over the counter and in person. Were it not for this it would be by far the easiest way to handle the matter of travel money (I wish it were easier). There are also rules set by governments for their own people to obey and, for example, I believe it may be illegal for individual British subjects resident in Britain to have bank accounts abroad without British permission and specific processing. You can of course transfer to a relative\'s or friend\'s account in the destination country and have them draw money for you. The beauty of this is that, provided the person is both helpful and reliable, the money is safe and accessible - it is also almost certainly the very cheapest option, but you need to ensure the amount is adequate for your needs or else arrange to top up by remote control. You can also send an amount that should do and plan to use plastic if you have an expenses overrun.

[doogied]

Thanks everybody, plenty of options there for me to think about