Always important!

You got to decide how much you (want to) can spend then work out where you can travel to. If you go the other way it may not turn out too well since my travel wishlist can be endless! Calculating expenses is not easy, prices vary according to countries and time of year. Use a lonely planet guide!

Some hints

• Transport (Air/Rail etc)
• Hostels/Hotels
• Visa Fees (can be quite high)
• Shopping/Souvenirs
• Monument Entry fees (they can be very high)
• Food
• Fun

How to Pay

• Cash/Traveller's Cheques:Well its easier if you get the local currency before you leave your country cos then you can explore and get a good rate.
• Credit/Debit Mastercard/Visa: Must have but dont use to withdraw cash at a foreign ATM cos the charges are killing! Use to pay where shops/restaurants accept cards (99% do), then you dont have to bear the charges and the exchange rate given by banks is pretty ok (there is always some hidden service charge though that I still havent figured out) and cards are definately safer to carry than cash. Cant say about other cards though American Express should be fine?

Dont forget to get a money pouch - ones you wear under your shirt

British - All the coins I happened to find, getting rid of coins is a big problem! You cant throw them away and I'm no coin collector so best way I found was to buy anything from vending machines before you left that country!