Beka:

Your ATM cards should work almost everywhere in the world these days.

Certainly in Berlin in Prague.

I had to go as far as Sudan before I found a place without ATMs.

I would suggest carrying some traveler's check's for emergencies, some cash, and your atm card. If your card gets lost or stolen, its almost impossible to get it replaced abroad. Also, keep an emergency stash of cash somewhere besides where you normally keep your money. I always keep at least a little bit in each of my bags, and in a money belt or pouch.
Good Luck, have fun!

I would definitely not carry a wad of cash, nor would I be totally dependent on finding ATMs. I'd take some cash, stashed away with your travelers checks in a belt wallet or something similar. I also agree that it's good to separate some of your money stash.

I think travelers checks are definitely worth the small amount of hassle they entail. If you get travelers checks, be sure to separate the receipts (one for each check) from the checks themselves, and stash in one of your bags. If you lose your checks, or goddess forbid they are stolen, your receipts will get you replacements.

"I don't have (or like) credit cards."

Yer definitively awesome.

Though not good for the international banking system...

Anyways, I'm hoping this thread continues to unfold, because I also could use some good advice on this very subject.

Never owned a credit card either, and never will. Somebody told me recently that Citibank offers a Debit card that is FREE to use everywhere on the planet and certain areas of Mars...

My ATM card orked in Central and South America. In places where I could not find an ATM, I was able to use my credit card at a bank for a cash advance.

in my opinion from experience as of today....!
1. call your bank, if it is Wells Fargo or Bank of America they have deals with banks abroad, meaning they will not charge a fee for international transaction nor another fee for exchange transaction with a foriegn bank's atm. yes they do do 2 different charges for withdrawing money abroad. Doing so they will give you the names of the banks that they work with. Yes, you can use your debit card if it is those 2 banks mentioned.

2. cash is always good. I always carry a couple of 50's or 100's bills in my bra. It is easier to carry $300 to $500.

3. I don't care for traveler's checks, because, trying to find the offices and the fee and the exchange fee adds up. If you do. A lot of banks don't deal with them because they are privately owned. American Express was the best deal and they have their own offices normally in the center near the train stations. But during certain times of the day, there are lines in these small offices. I didn't like wasting my time or the people there in line watching me. I lived abroad too long to see how thieves work.

4. Use ATM's that are attached to open working banks, because if the your card does get eaten by the machine, they retrieve it for you. And if does happen try not panic and be rude to them. I've seen that, did not turn out good.

5. when you call your bank in the US let them know when date wise were you will be, so they do not do a freeze on your account, thinking it has been stolen. I normally will call when I enter a different country. The back of your Debit card will show 2 numbers to call collect, again if it is those 2 banks I've mentioned.

6. Now swiping your card, please pay attention, since there has been a big scam for the 5 years. When I worked in Holland we would let our customers swipe their card. Some will swipe in front of you and then you have to use your codes on another machine. With restaruants, that's kind of hard to see. We had this US customer who got mad when we told him he had swipe it himself, keep in mind this
5 years ago. We then explained about the scam started in Russia, were the evil doer would swipe the card in one machine and then another. He then was happy about the info.

7. next scam to be aware of: when using a bank atm abroad, before sticking in your card make sure there are no flyers or notices posted next to the machine. if so don't use them. You will notice people stopping to read them and then putting away their cards. This is happening in France this last 3 months.The new scam is that it will eat your card or just take your info, and not give you money. While some one by distance or camera will get your info and make a dummy. The bigger banks are now safe gaurding this problem. When about to stick in your card, the slot will have a green light flashing around the entrance slot. Those are safe to use. Again, that is why it's smart to use the atm's with an open operating office.

8. if you get in a jam you can always have money wired to you. Yes the fee sucks with that to. Again what comes in handy are the bank connections of your bank to the ones abroad.

But the best part is to have fun and relax!

That's all for now, if I can think of more I'll add it.