Wikitravel:Currency
From Wikitravel
There are many different currencies in the world. In order to ensure consistency, certain style codes should be recognized.
[edit] Currency symbols
Prices should be listed with the currency symbol that travellers will encounter, specifically the local formatting. The currency symbol should always be prefixed. Travellers should be able to assume that symbols used for multiple currencies (like $ or £) apply to the local currency. Do not use currency codes like "USD", "EUR", or "GBP".
- $100 in Detroit , not US$100, 100 USD or 100 dollars
- $100 in Vancouver, not CAD$100, 100 CAD or 100 dollars
- £100 in London, not 100 GBP, UK£100 or 100 pounds
- €100 in Paris, not EUR 100, 100 EUR or 100 euros
- ¥100 in Beijing, not RMB 100, 100 yuan or 100元
If the currency name is short enough to be spelled out in full and/or lacks a commonly recognized symbol, it should come after the amount.
If the country uses multiple currencies, including foreign ones, use the shortest unambiguous form for each. For US dollars, this is US$. For euros, it's €.
[edit] Price ranges
Write price ranges using a single currency symbol and a single dash.
- Dinner $10-20
- Double room ¥5000-8000
[edit] Decimal
Use a "." to mark decimals, and use a "," to separate thousands groups.
- Right: $100,000,000.00
- Wrong: $1000000000,00
- Wrong: $1000000000.00
- Wrong: $100 000 000.00
[edit] Number words
A billion is a thousand million (American style), not a million million (Commonwealth style).
[edit] Consistency
When talking about the cost of an item in a country, stick to that country's currency. Do not switch between currencies. Doing so causes confusion and frustration. If you only know the price in dollars or euros, go to a currency conversion site and convert the number. Round off to nearest whole unit.
Wrong:
You can purchase a gift for Rs. 100. A taxi ride costs $10.
Right:
You can purchase a gift for Rs. 100. A taxi ride costs Rs. 450.
[edit] Exceptions
In some countries such as Cambodia and much of Africa, the local currency is so weak or unstable that any larger prices (like, say, hotel rooms) are quoted and paid for in a foreign currency. If this is the case, follow local convention and list those prices in the foreign currency.
In some countries such as Myanmar, foreign nationals pay a US$ price for some things (hotels, air and train tickets, entrance fees), but in local currency for other things (food, shopping, buses, pickups, taxis). In this case, it is best to list the price in the currency that the foreign traveler will use even if it means switching currencies in the body of the page.
