Overview

• An Opinium survey of 2,000 UK travellers for Be Clever With Your Cash found 39% encountered unexpected situations overseas where cash was required.
• Tipping, taxi fares and purchases at local or independent retailers were the most common cash-only expenses, especially outside major cities in rural or remote areas.
• Emergency ATM withdrawals and last-minute airport exchange desks often incur high fees or poor exchange rates when holidaymakers run out of cash.
• Experts recommend using prepaid specialist travel cards and packing a modest local currency "cash cushion" for tipping, transport and unforeseen needs.
• Travellers should confirm their travel insurance cash cover limits—typically between £200 and £399—and understand their card’s fee and currency conversion policies before departure.