You can’t cash in old pre-euro currency in the country in which it was issued? That seems odd.
I have a travel wallet in which I keep stuff that I want to have when I travel, but don’t need to carry with me every day…international insurance stuff, airline/hotel loyalty program cards, pass for the Bangkok Skytrain…what have you. When COVID hit, I just kind threw a whatever I had in there, thinking I’d be using everything again soon. That ain’t gonna happen, so decided to clean it out. Not sure if any of it is worthless…other than me probably not being able to spend it any time soon.
1 Like
Many countries’ currency expires, for varying reasons.
1 Like
I’m sure I could have years ago. I could still get the Asian and ME converted, but there’s no “Bureau de Change” nearby.
1 Like
No you can’t but I believe you can still cash in coins.
I recommend these guys:
3 Likes
They weren’t able to change my pounds into dollars, but they did give me schillings and two pence
2 Likes
As long as they didn’t give you two thousand nickels.
2 Likes
I had heard that you were “willing for a schilling”.
Mandatory post on this topic:
Yes – I used the same system. BTS Skytrain ticket; London Oyster Card, a dozen or so Budapest subway tickets and currency from a bunch of countries. Only the Euro have enough value to wish I had dome something else. The various Rubles, Lira, Bhat, etc. are just souvenirs.
I was pleasantly surprised when, landing back in London for the first time in 5 years, my Oyster card still had £17 of credit on it. It was like finding money on the floor.
Hell that’s damn near enough for a single tube ride.
The card in Thailand is called the “Rabbit” card. Mrs Hawk saw it and wondered just what the hell I was doing in Thailand that required a card with a stylized bunny and the word “adult” on it. I explained it was for public transportation, not the Bangkok Playboy Club. I still got a sideways look.
3 Likes
This is the thing: a single tube ride is priced deliberately to fleece tourists. If you have an Oyster card, it’s a fraction of the cost.
1 Like
My Dad did his military service in the Middle East. He had convinced my Mum that the “Gaza Strip” was a nightclub. It was years before she found out otherwise.
Yet, she probably wouldn’t bat an eye if you said you attended a ping pong show!
1 Like
There is a “Rabbit Card” and another less “interesting” card that is more expensive and more flexible. I’m beginning to feel good about having chosen the other one.
Continuing the travel theme into 2022, I’m looking at a long weekend in Vancouver/British Columbia late spring/early summer. Any recommendations? I’ve not spent any time western Canada before.
Vancouver is just another big city, imo, and you’ll love Victoria if you go. Stay at The Empress Hotel. I also loved the small towns in Western Canada: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and wherever the glaciers are on the way.