Simon Calder on importance of cash when travelling

As the summer holiday season gets underway, new research reveals an unexpected source of stress for UK travellers, having holiday cash on hand. While many of us are used to tapping and paying at home, nearly two in five (38%) admit they’ve been caught short without cash while abroad, often just when they needed it most. It’s a helpful reminder that a little preparation can go a long way in making sure your holiday runs as smoothly as possible.

The research from Tesco Travel Money, found Spain, USA, Turkey, Greece, and France are the holiday hotspots where they are most likely to be tripped up by cash-only scenarios. And surprisingly just a third (33%) had researched how cash reliant their destination was before flying, meaning many could end up being caught short while abroad. 

Whether it’s the food stalls of a Spanish market, a souvenir shop in Greece, or a taxi ride in Turkey, many everyday experiences abroad still demand physical currency. It was found that the top situations where cash is needed are, shopping at local markets (61%), tipping (58%), and paying in smaller shops and restaurants (58%), all of which left travellers looking for an ATM.

Aston spoke to travel expert Simon Calder.

Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash