Don't rule them out as old fashioned, especially if your travel insurance policy won't cover you for the sort of sums you're likely to be carrying around when going shopping.

They're still a safe way to protect yourself against the hassle and inconvenience of losing your cash.

Hot Tips and Info

Many people have a belt and braces approach to taking money abroad - travellers cheques, cash and credit cards.

HSBC occasionally hold offers of free delivery on travel money of £500 or more.

Remember your Chip and Pin number - a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) known only to you.

Hole in the wall

More and more of us are sidestepping travellers cheques and using ATMs (Cash Machines) to draw out cash around the globe.

It beats the hassle of buying travellers cheques beforehand.

On the other hand losing cash abroad can make you lose time on holiday.

Even more worrying - according to the statistics, at least - every 36 seconds a British traveller abroad is a victim of theft.

Which might make you think twice about opting to use your debit/credit card at the ATM.

Cold Hard Cash

Cash has the significant advantage of being very easy to use and free to hold.

Unfortunately the advantages of cash make it extremely desirable to other people too.

If you carry all your travel money in 'reddies' and one place you could be very vulnerable to theft or street robbery.

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