Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Avoiding Bank Fees
Remember that each time you withdraw cash from an ATM,
your bank will likely slap you with a fee of between $4 and
$8 (check how much your bank charges before leaving
home). Rather than taking out small denominations again
and again, it makes sense to take out larger amounts every 2
to 3 days. Not only will this keep you from racking up fees,
but you won't waste time in lines waiting for a free machine.
Tips
Most ATMs accept PINs of four to six digits. One hiccup, how-
ever, is that they often don't have alphanumeric keypads. So to with-
draw cash using your bank card, your PIN must be made up of just
numbers. If your PIN features letters (STAN37), use a telephone
dial to figure out the numeric equivalents (or better yet, memorize
it before you get to Ireland).
TRAVELER'S CHECKS
Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days
before the ATM made cash accessible at any time, but some travel-
ers still like the perceived security of the tried-and-true. You can get
them at almost any bank for a small service charge. American
Express traveler's checks are also available over the phone by calling
&
800/221-7282
or 800/721-9768, or you can purchase checks
online at
www.americanexpress.com
. In Ireland, American Express
has an office at 61-63 S. William St. in Dublin (
&
01/617-5555
).
Amex gold or platinum cardholders can avoid paying the fee by
ordering over the telephone; platinum cardholders can also purchase
checks fee-free in person at Amex Travel Service locations. American
Automobile Association members can obtain checks with no fee at
most AAA offices.
4 When to Go
CLIMATE
To get a feel for just how hilarious Irish weather is, just tune into
one of the TV or radio weather forecasts. Nowhere else will you hear
the phrase, “Today we can expect showers, followed by periods of
rain.” Categorizing rain is an art form in Ireland. First you have “soft
rain,” which is like being spritzed by a spray bottle. Then you have
“spitting,” just a few random drops that don't even leave the ground
wet. Next come “showers,” brief intervals of rain that last only a few
