What's best cash or card

Legends


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:27

Comming over in a couple of weeks and will change money when we are over in TRNC.



do you get a better exchange rate changing sterling in the banks in TRNC or using a debit card (nationwide) in the ATMs?



Cheers



Ian

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:30

If you go into the bank to change money you will be stuck in there for ages.

Exchange places all over the place giving good rates.

Green valley car hire always have a good rate. Where are you staying?

Legends


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:34

Hi Vidal



We are staying in Lapta.

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:35

Used to take travellers cheques but now just use ATM but depends on what bank you are with and what, if anything, they charge for withdrawals. I withdraw sufficient for each week and of course that means carrying a fair amount of cash around. On balance T/Cs are probably the safest bet but ATMs more convenient. Hope this helps - and enjoy TRNC while you still can.

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:41

You will be fine changing your money with Green Valley if you are not going into town.



Its a little wooden Hut in a car park on the right hand side as you head on the main rd towards Girne. There is a small parade of shops. DVD shop, Indian restaurant, Shutter/screen suppliers.



Really good car hire too!!

arrry



Joined: 19/08/2008
Posts: 1235

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:47

Bring the cash and change it here . When i left England three weeks ago the rate was 2.43 yesterday i got 2.53. You know it makes sense !

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:55

Would definitely recommend as per message 5. Good rates and saves you going into town. We use them all the time and, yes, they're good for car hire (although we prefer Bird).



J

david161


Joined: 25/09/2008
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
30/06/2009 23:58

Take cash. Rate changes every day.

The hut is in the complex with the DVD shop, Aluminium Ali, hair dresser, Goeff,s Taj Mahal etc about 2 miles from Lapta centre on the main road, right hand side going towards Girne. There are no charges- what he quotes on the board outside is what you get.

michelle3012


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 578

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 02:03

I would say card, if you have a Nationwide account they dont charge for drawing cash out of the ATM'S in TRNC, also they give you business rates and not tourist rates, so you should be better off!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 05:31

Best way is to draw Sterling out of HSBC ATM and change in Girne the exchange shop half way down the High Street usually gives the best rate. But there is a small exchange hut in Alsancak on the main Lapta Girne road just acrss from Capitano restaurant (shaped like a boat) which gives excellent rates as well.

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 07:24

Why bother messing about changing cash here if you are with Nationwide? All my recent transactions have been at better rates than available here from the cash exchanges. Just use an ATM

michelle3012


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 578

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 15:39

Nostradamus...wrote 'Why bother messing about changing cash here if you are with Nationwide? All my recent transactions have been at better rates than available here from the cash exchanges. Just use an ATM'





I totally agree, waste of time and as i said in previous posting, business rates not tourist rates are given by Nationwide!

Legends


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 16:11

Thanks for all your replies - most helpful.



Card and a bit of cash me thinks is the answer.



See you all in two weeks - mines a cold one!



Cheers



Ian.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 19:54

so if i used a Nationwide card today as an example what rate would i get cheers

millzer


Joined: 12/04/2007
Posts: 978

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 23:12

Nationwide debit (not credit) card at an ATM every time. Always got a better rate than expected, why bother with tiffling about taking ££'s over, just put your card in the hole in the wall.

Legends


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
01/07/2009 23:20

Yep we have a Nationwide debit card so that's what we will do - thanks everyone for the info.



Cheers



ian

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
02/07/2009 00:54

Ok keep your money safe at home till you use it

Use your nationwide debit card for your petty cash

Use your Nationwide credit card for your spends meals shopping car hire and settle up in 56 days at the same exchange rate intrepid free

DO NOT USE THE NATIONWIDE CREDIT CARD IN THE ATM

I worked for another bank but always used Nationwide when on holiday I know what the others charge

Your insurance only covers you for limited amounts of cash

Also there does not appear to be charges on the ATM's in the North as in some in the UK

Legends


Joined: 02/06/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 18:50

Thanks for all your replies - we will take our cards and use them as suggested.



If any of you see a guy with glasses - say hello - if its me I'll buy you a beer!



Cheers



Ian