How
to effectively organise your money, banking
and budget.
To guard against theft, loss of money or
other circumstances travellers should ideally
have several sources of money, for example
they may choose to carry cash money and
foreign currency that can be changed, plus
have a credit card, an ATM card and travellers
cheques. Cards and cash should be stored
in lockers, safety deposit boxes or secured
on your person wherever possible. Keep a
copy of your travellers cheque numbers separate
from the cheques and also leave a copy with
a reliable person at home.
CREDIT CARDS
Most major credit cards can be used for
purchases including accomodation, airtickets,
and purchases in large shops. In smaller
towns the restaurants and shops may prefer
you to pay in cash. It is probably a good
idea to have several money resources.
All major credit cards are accepted, the
most popular being VISA, MASTERCARD, American
Express and DINERS. You may use payment
cards within the networks Cirrus, and Plus.
The UK-based Switch system is not accepted
in Ireland.
Credit cards can be used in hotels, restaurants
and shops. Although smaller establishments
may not accept them. They can also be used
in ATMs or over the counter in major banks.
BANKING
You can exchange currency, travellers cheques,
euro-cheques, personal cheques, obtain credit
card cash advances and arrange money transfers
at all banks, many building societies and
at many branches of An Post - the Irish
Post Offices. Some hotels also exchange
currency but often the best rates are obtained
at ATM (automatic cash dispensing machines).
To open a bank account you need a proof
of idenitity (usually a passport), a letter
of reference from your bank at home, proof
of current address (eg gas bill, phone bill
or letter from your landlord or hostel/hotel
that you are staying at), and proof of employment.
Most employment agencies will give you a
letter to state that you are working for
them and you can present this letter at
the bank. Some banks are more lenient than
other so go to several different banks or
bank branches. Usually the smaller banks
and building societies are more welcoming
to new accounts, but the larger ones can
sometimes offer more services. The major
banks include Lloyds, Midland, Nat West,
Barclays and the Bank of Scotland. It is
hard to get bank accounts that you can access
internationally. Usually ATM cards for foreigners
only work in England even if you have a
passport declaring you as a British citizen.
Banking hours in Ireland are Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.
Thursday banks are open until 5pm. Some
building societies open on Saturdays.
EBS Building Society
30/34 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 ww2.ebs.ie
Bureaux de Change:
Dublin
A large number Bureaux de Change can be
found on Grafton Street and O'Connell Street.
There's also a Bureaux de Change and an
ATM run by Bank of Ireland at the airport.
Foreign Exchange Company of Ireland
12 Ely Place, Dublin 2
Tel. + 353 1 661 1800
American Express Travel Service
116 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Tel. + 353 1 677 2874 www.americanexpress.com
CURRENCY
The Republic of Ireland uses the EURO but
in Northern Ireland, which is still part
of the United Kingdom, you will find the
pound sterling in use. English bank notes
are used and there are also notes from the
Sterling Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Northern
Bank and Scottish Bank notes all of which
are accepted in general exchange.
Note that the British pound is not legal
tender in the Republic of Ireland. Some
businesses in Northern Ireland may accept
the Euro but it is preferable to carry pounds
stirling.
For up to date and other exchange rates
try the following links:
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Travellers cheques are a good backup if
you lose your credit cards or you can't
use the ATM. They can also be replaced if
they are lost or stolen. Make sure you keep
a record of your travellers cheques in a
safe place (one with you and with someone
else at home). The procedure for using travellers
cheques is to sign them when you purchase
them from a bank or other outlet, and to
countersign them just as you cash them in.
Do not sign them before this. You will also
require identification (eg. passport) to
cash the cheques. The most widely accepted
brands of travellers cheques are American
Express, Thomas Cook and Visa.
All banks in Ireland will change your travellers
cheques.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend all travellers take out personal
travel insurance to cover any equipment
losses, damages or health problems that
may occur.
Insure and Go - has great deals on travel
insurance www.insureandgo.com
Travel budget per day
Budget £30 for basic survival including
£10 for accomodation, £10 for
basic food and £10 for transport.
Any sightseeing or special meals will cost
a lot more. Outside of cities it does drop
but then you may have to factor in transport
getting there.
