Originally Posted by
hserus
Nice trip report. Though you really neednt have bothered to use the thomas cook counter. Especially if you have airport transfer to your hotel already arranged, you dont need INR cash at that time of the night. Tip the driver a dollar bill if you want .. and change money in the city.
I agree.
When leaving a foreign country:
Since I usually use airport transfer arranged by the hotel (and charged to my room), I would take all my left over currency at my last stop in a particular country and use it to pay part of my hotel bill. I will however leave a bit of cash just enough to tip the baggage porter etc.
When arriving in a foreign country:
I would make sure I get about USD 100 (equivalent in the foreign country) either through an ATM (I would check the Visa and AMEX websites to see if the airport has an ATM) or at the foreign exchange counter (in countries such as India where ATMS cannot be found in an airport) before leaving the airport.
In some countries, some hotels even allow you to get a "cash advance" and have it charged to the room (which you then pay by credit card when checking out).