If you're talking your bank debit card, that's basically an ATM. If you're talking a Visa debit card that's tied to your credit card, run don't walk away from that idea unless you're the type that pays off the balance every month, because it's considered a credit card cash transaction which has a higher interest rate than just charging things.

Use your bank ATM card when you arrive in UK to get cash & then use your Visa (which is accepted almost everywhere) for purchases, etc. If you're the traveler cheque type, get those but I don't bother anymore in the UK. Cash & Visa work fine. Have a bit of US in your pocket as a back-up in case an ATM is out of order, although normally there are plenty around so that shouldn't be an issue.

Ps - don't forget the currency rate when buying things - right now it's about $1.61US to the GPB (ie, things are 61% more expensive).

Edited to add: PSS - if you're using your bank debit card, check w/ them before going over to see what the limit is - my local ATM is $200/day, although w/ the exchange rate it's come out a bit more & went through so not sure if there's a limit overseas or if it was just close enough it was ok.

If you're using a debit card tied to your credit card, check your account for cash available & that's the limit - although that's also based on the credit card co - some allow you to pull it all out up to the limit, others limit you to $500/day.
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Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 05-17-2003).]

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited 05-17-2003).]