Explainers
Short guides for travellers: insurance, costs and exchanging money, flights — country by country. Educational content, not a recommendation.
Why the exchange office rate differs from the rate on this site
The rate on the board, the central bank rate and the rate at the counter are three different numbers. Here is where the gap comes from and how to work out what it costs you.
What a money transfer from abroad really costs
“No fee” does not mean free. The main charge is often hidden in the conversion rate — here is how to find it.
Travel insurance for Thailand in 2026: what treatment costs and how to choose a policy
Private clinic prices in baht, what coverage limit you need, why insurers refuse claims after a scooter accident, and what to do if you fall ill on your trip.
What a trip to Thailand costs in 2026 and how to pay there
Prices for food, lodging and transport in baht, a sample 10-day budget for two, how much ATM fees eat up, and which cards work for tourists from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
How to get to Thailand in 2026: visas, direct flights and airport transfers
New entry rules from September 15, 2026 for Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, direct flights and prices, how to get from the Bangkok and Phuket airports and what it costs.
Travel insurance for Vietnam: what the policy should include
Motorbikes, typhoons, travel between regions and treatment: which insurance terms to check before you go to Vietnam.
What a trip to Vietnam costs and how not to get lost in dong
How to plan a budget when you carry millions of dong, where to withdraw cash and when a card or QR payment is better.
Getting to Vietnam: airports, connections and entry
Which city to fly into, how to build an open-jaw route and what to check about the visa before buying a ticket.
Travel insurance for Bali: scooters, surfing and private clinics
Why claims in Bali are refused most often, which activities to check in the policy and why you need evacuation cover.
What a trip to Bali costs and how to exchange money without falling for tricks
The tourist levy, how to count rupiah, and where it is safer to exchange cash and use ATMs.
Getting to Bali: direct flights, connections and season
Which airport serves Bali, when tickets cost more and how to weigh a connection through other Asian cities.
Travel insurance for Turkey: what to check for a resort holiday
Food upsets at all-inclusive hotels, parasailing, jeep safaris and private clinics: which policy terms matter in Turkey.
What a trip to Turkey costs and how to handle the lira
Why prices in lira change quickly, where to exchange cash, how to decline paying "in your own currency" and what all-inclusive leaves out.
Getting to Turkey: resort airports, Istanbul and charter flights
Which airport to pick for a resort, how Istanbul's two airports differ and how to compare prices on seasonal flights.
Travel insurance for Egypt: diving, heat and private clinics
Stomach infections, heatstroke, quad bikes, snorkelling and diving: which policy terms matter on the Red Sea resorts.
What a trip to Egypt costs, how to exchange money and what baksheesh is
Prices in dollars and in pounds, where to exchange cash, why small notes matter and how not to lose money on excursions.
Getting to Egypt: Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Cairo and charter flights
Which airport for the beach and which for the museums, how to compare a charter with a scheduled flight and what to check about entry.
Travel insurance for the UAE: private healthcare, medicines and active holidays
Why treatment in the UAE is expensive, what to check in the policy and why some familiar medicines need a prescription.
What a trip to the UAE costs and how to pay in dirhams
Why the dirham is pegged to the dollar, which fees are added to hotel and restaurant prices, where to exchange cash and when to pay by card.
Getting to the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and choosing an airport
How the emirates' airports differ, when low-cost carriers pay off and how not to overpay for a ticket in high season.
Travel insurance for Sri Lanka: tuk-tuks, surfing and the monsoon
Road injuries, safaris, beach currents, dengue and private hospitals: what to look at in the policy before the trip.
What a trip to Sri Lanka costs, and how to pay for tuk-tuks and entry tickets
How to build a budget in rupees, why some tickets for foreigners are sold in dollars and where to withdraw cash.
Getting to Sri Lanka: Colombo, connections and the electronic permit
The island's main airport, popular connecting hubs, the season and what to check about entry before buying a ticket.
Travel insurance for China: the language barrier, hospitals and what to check
How treatment of foreigners works, why interpreter help matters and which policy terms are important on a long-distance trip.
What a trip to China costs and how to pay: Alipay, WeChat and cash
Why almost nobody pays cash in China, how to link a foreign card to local apps and how much of a reserve to keep.
Getting to China: airports, direct flights and visa-free entry
Which city to enter through, how to plan an open-jaw route and what to check about visas and transit.
Travel insurance for Georgia: mountains, skiing and roads
Trekking in Svaneti and Kazbegi, Gudauri and Bakuriani, mountain serpentines and private clinics: what to check in the policy.
What a trip to Georgia costs and where to exchange lari profitably
How to build a budget, why Georgia has so many exchange offices and how their rates differ, when to pay by card and how not to overpay for a taxi.
Getting to Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi and low-cost carriers
Which of the three airports to pick, when Kutaisi pays off and how to plan arriving in one city and leaving from another.