Could use some help with my trip. (June '08)

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nao

Sorry that you seem to misunderstand, but I don't have much in the way of laid out plans. I'm a relatively laid back individual. I'm only worrying about a few things - getting there, getting back, having a place to crash, and having nothing go wrong financially/physically while I'm there. Other than that, I'm just taking some essential information along (Embassy locations, bank locations, transportation information, etc). The rest I'm leaving up to chance. I have no carefully planned itinerary; I don't like that sort of thing. I can't have fun if I have to get up to meet some goal every day. I'm just going to chill and go with the flow. However, it's hard reality that I will have to watch my budget carefully. If I overspend too much it could mean my going without meals, etc, which would really suck.

I wasn't worried about traveler's insurance throwing off my finances. It's not that expensive. I was just worried about the amount of time it takes to collect on any claims.

I am glad, because a trip like this won't be good for uptight people.

Plane tickets
Hotels booked
Transportation info/embassy info/banks...you can find all that online.

I think the thing you really need to worry about is budget. I always tell people to make your budget and then add 20%

[Nao]

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[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nao

I can't recall exact figures right now... but the way I figured things with my money, I can afford to take care of the essentials and still have 40-50 USD left every day for whatever. If I spend less, it will compound, etc. I believe that will be enough.

(This is on figures of 30/day avg for food (extra comes out of the above amount), 15/day avg transportation (+30 each way narita->tokyo tokyo->narita airport), and after lodging/plane/phone/possible insurance costs are subtracted)

Note that this is all averages, so of course it will fluctuate. I've also made note of total daily limits that I shouldn't cross without extra financial planning, so that should be fine as well. I'm pretty good with numbers (programmer), so if I play my cards right I think I'll be fine. Still makes me worry a bit, though. I guess it's just the fear of getting stranded, as I don't have many I can count on in the States to back me up financially if I'm in trouble.

Then I would recommend getting a VISA card for emergencies only. Get it, activate it, and stick it in the bottom of your suitcase with your dirty socks, only to be used in an actual emergency, that way, at least, you won't be stranded.

[Nao]

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[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nao

I have a VISA debit/checking card, but no credit card. Getting one for this is an idea I'll have to ponder, but I doubt I will - I don't have a steady income.

Debit/Checking card is only useful at CITIBANK or other machine that accepts American bank cards (very rare).

If you are worried about getting stranded, a credit card is the safest way. It doesn't cost anything to get, and you can cut it in two when you get home.

I would fly to the depths of Africa without traveller's insurance, but I wouldn't go over state lines without a credit card. Your credit card IS your traveller's insurance, but you only have to pay if you really need it.

[Nao]

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[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nao

Yeah, I know they're only useful at the Citibank machines and a select few others. Luckily, Citibank isn't rare, according to their locations information. I plan to land with about ￥20,000 in local currency for fees until I can get to a machine.

I don't know too much about credit cards. Really cost no establishment fee, huh? Would I have to pay any fees at all if it goes unused? Wouldn't it negatively effect my credit somehow if I got the card and then canceled it a month later? Come to think of it, I think my bank (Bank of America) offers a special deal for students for a VISA credit card. My checking account is also a special student deal; I pay 0 fees, and can even overdraw once and not have to pay an overdraw fee. I'll definitely look into this. Thanks.

If you are paying someone to allow you to borrow money, you are nuts. They give credit cards away for free. If you never use it, then you never need to pay them anything. Cutting your card in two and cancelling your account are two different things. You don't need to cancel your account when you get home, but if there is no card to use, your account will be idle. That doesn't hurt your credit one bit.

[Nao]

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[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nao

Yeah you have a point there. I'll just make sure to double check with my bank and read and reread over the policies before I do anything of the sort. Credit is definitely not something to be trifled with. Anyhow, thanks for the idea. It's a good one.

Good luck, looking forward to hearing about it.

[GhostBlade]

You should think of getting this book called The Little Tokyo Subway Guide. I just got it in the mail and looked through it. The book is pocket sized but not too small and it's packed with info. You can get it for slightly less than $10 on Amazon and it's a worthy investment. I'll be going to Japan in late-May so I bought this book and I'm glad I did. You can read about this book online and see if you want to buy it. It not only has info on all of the 13 subway lines in Tokyo, but also info on ticketing, getting to and from Narita, landmark finder, exit finder on where to go when you get off the train, full-color maps of the entire Tokyo system as well as lines that connect outside of Tokyo to Yokohoma or other areas, useful words and phrases, etc. It's jam-packed with info that was compiled under the supervision of Tokyo Metro Co., & Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation. This book was even printed in Japan and is of high quality. It's a worthy investment for your trip. You should look into it.

Amazon.com: The Little Tokyo Subway Guidebook: Everything You Need to Know to Get Around the City and Beyond: IBC Publishing: Books

The $30+ each way to and from Narita seems like one of the pricier fares. You can ride the Keisei Express train for cheaper and it will still get you to your destination nearly around the same time as some of the more expensive options so paying the extra cash doesn't seem to be worth it. Some of the more expensive options can even take longer than the cheap Keisei Express train.

You should open a credit card just so you have some credit history in the U.S. Credit cards are only a bad thing if you're a spendaholic and don't know how to manage your money. Get a credit card that doesn't have an annual fee. Some BoA credit cards have small annual fees so try to get a credit card that doesn't have annual fees like from CitiBank or others. If you want a credit card with BoA then ask them if they have an credit cards without annual fees. If you're responsible with your spending habits then a credit card is nothing to fear. It's only dangerous in the hands of irresponsible individuals.

Make sure there's plenty of money on your debit card and you should search for ATM machines at the post office from what I've read since they accept foregin cards while other ATM machines in Tokyo do not. I read that you're charged $5 for each Bank of America debit card withdrawal so you should just take out a lot of cash at once to last you a while so you don't have to keep paying the $5 fee withdrawing small amounts every time. I also have a BoA debit card that I will be using. Be aware that banks can also freeze your account if you withdraw your money in a foreign country. You could call you bank and tell them that you'll be in Japan at this time so they don't freeze your account thinking that maybe your card was stolen and used overseas. This is what I read when doing my research. I think you should also bring some cash with you on top of your debit card just in case.