$ to Euros - now or later

Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:09 AM
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$ to Euros - now or later

Leaving for Madrid and Rome soon. I've never traveled abroad.
Is there an advantage to getting my euros here in the US rather than waiting till I get to the other countries?
I've been reading on this site that many places in Italy want cash instead of taking credit cards for shops and gelato, etc.
To the experienced travelers, what are you thoughts?
Also, how do I book my train from Rome to Florence while I'm still here?
Thanks so much!
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:18 AM
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You can wait until you arrive and get some cash at one of the ATMs in the airport, "walking around money", so to speak. You'll save between 7 & 12% from what your bank would charge.

Be sure your bank is aware that you will be using your ATM and credit cards in Spain and Italy, or they will be blocked.

Yes, you should buy you train tickets ahead of time.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:41 AM
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Search ATM's or money for travel and you will find many threads on this subject.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:42 AM
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I always arrive with about 100 euros in my hand.. I can buy it easily at my local bank, but Americans seem to have a harder time getting foreign currencies..seems they often have to order it?

I then use my ATM card and withdraw money as I need it.. and yes, I mostly use cash..keeping my credit card for larger things like fancy meals , hotel bills etc.

I cannot imagine bothering to use a credit card to buy an ice cream.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:47 AM
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It depends on how your local country works. In the UK for instance you can order currency to be delivered to an exchange office at the airport and get the money "in the notes of your choice" there is nothing worse than buying a 4 euro gelato with a 50 euro note.

Equally in the UK the deal will be better than or similar to the ATMs in Euro-land. However in the US some banks take "the proverbial", so generally getting Euros from the ATM is in Europe is a good deal.

Don't go mad and get loads of cash, Europe uses card machines a lot but for somethings only cash will do.

But you will not get change, and the first use you will probably have is for a Euro coin at the airport for the luggage trolley, so I'd ask a few friends if they have any spare change before you go.

Yes order trains ahead of time and pick the tickets up at the station (take the card with you that you booked the ticket on as that often is enough to release the ticket but you may also need a code that the website will give you).

But the good news is you don't have walk around with loads of change in your pockets as generally tipping stops in Europe and we tend to merely round up to the Euro if things are very good (or we don't want the clinker).
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:48 AM
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For info on buying European train tickets see seat61.com.

Use an airport ATM on arrival. Try to avoid Travelex machines. Whatever brand of machine, if it asks you whether you want the transaction in euros or dollars, or offers to do a conversion for you, the answers are euros and no.

In Spain, when using a credit card, watch out for the DCC scam I described for ATMs. Tell whoever is processing your card you want the transaction in euros. Italy doesn't seem to be as bad as Spain.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 09:55 AM
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Yes, Americans usually have to order it, banks don't stock foreign currency in typical branches. Why would they, they'd just be keeping it there for no reason in a safe or something. There is no immediate need for it, obviously, so anyone who wants some to take abroad can just plan ahead. Now this varies in huge cities, I'm sure (like NY). But I live in DC and even here, your typical bank doesn't have euro in the drawer. We have exchange places though where you could go, other than the airport. But very bad rates. AAA probably carries a little, but they may even order it if you want it. ANd then, of course, they would never carry currency not in strong demand, like zloty.

Small street vendors in the US want cash, also, nothing surprising about that, so do some small shops--at least where I live. There is no reason you have to arrive with cash to buy somethign from a street vendor, though, you will be going into the city where you can use an ATM.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 10:01 AM
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>>Try to avoid Travelex machinessome of the posts above might be a little confusing. The main thing is DON'T 'exchange' currency either at home or in Italy. If you ise your ATM card in Italy you will get €€ cash out of the machine but US$ will be deducted from your bank account.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 10:34 AM
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The answer to your question is get the money when you arrive in Madrid.

There is no need to buy Euros in the US (which is what you'd be doing) - most banks don't carry them, and the exchange rate you'll receive will be 8% or more against you. Plus, why carry a ton of cash?

Read this: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...chine-atm-tips

Barajas Airport has ATMs. Just WITHDRAW, do not convert and ignore any option that allows you to exchange at whatever rate (1.27 USD to Euro or whatever screw job you're offered). If the ATM presents the "convert" or "exchange" option, decline and go for the straight withdrawal.

When you pay for food, items, etc. by credit card in Italy and Spain you pay in EUROS only, never in dollars. Paying in dollars is called "dynamic currency conversion" and it will be at an exchange rate 5-8% worse than your credit card's rate.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 10:43 AM
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"Yes, Americans usually have to order it, banks don't stock foreign currency in typical branches."

The post office in my English microtown (pop: 3,000) ALWAYS keeps a stock of dollars and euros. Scarcely a day goes by without its selling at least a few hundred of each.

But then, it understands the first principle of marketing ("if you haven't got it, you can't sell it"), and its manager depends entirely on the branch's profit for her income.

Ironic how hard-wired a customer-centric philosophy is in a 400-year old government-controlled institution: but how ignorant of it private enterprise is in the self-appointed "capital of the free world."
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 10:43 AM
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I always get about 300 euros at Wells Fargo and I get them in small amounts, 10's, 20's, 50's. The exchange rate is usually good and the main branch of the bank always has them. I've never had to order and I live in Texas! I just like being prepared when I land. We never check luggage and I like the feeling of going through customs and then catching a ride to the hotel.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 11:15 AM
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I would pick up a $200 worth of euros before I leave. Since this is your first trip to Europe, I can't imagine you wanting to schlep through the airport to find an ATM. By purchasing euros beforehand, you just pick up your bags, grab a taxi and get to your hotel. The extra cost (which really is minuscule in the scheme of things) incurred by getting that small amount of euros at home is more than worth the hassle of finding an ATM at an airport on your first trip abroad. Have fun!!

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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 01:05 PM
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As Flanner points out my Post Office (town 20,000) carries NZ dollars, Oz Dollars, Zloty, Euros, Loons, US Dollars, whenever I ask or them. Had Forints a few years back when I needed them.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 01:07 PM
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I like to arrive with local currency, so I order about $200-300usd-worth from my own home bank in advance.

After that I use my debit card at an ATM cash to withdraw euro directly.

I also carry some 'emergency' USD (another $200-300) to have if I got in a jam. You wouldn't get a great rate but you could find somewhere to exchange cash for cash.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 01:08 PM
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oh and for a simple one time train ride Rome to Florence I would just buy it at the train station after I was there.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 01:14 PM
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Honestly, anyone would think you had to go on a treasure hunt to find an airport ATM. I have never found that to be the case in a European airport. I have even seen one in the baggage claim area in some airports. Provided you are not traveling with the kitchen sink, it is hardly rocket science to put your larger bag in front of you and your carry on on top if it while you access the ATM, which will actually speak English to you. I then head for the nearest restroom, which I probably need anyway, and transfer the ATM card and most of the funds to my money belt.

In the unlikely event of their being no ATM (I think that has only happened to me in Kathmandu and Aleppo), there is bound to be an exchange bureau, where the rate will probably be no worse than it would have been in the US, and, depending on your bank, maybe better.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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As Flanner points out my Post Office (town 20,000) carries NZ dollars, Oz Dollars, Zloty, Euros, Loons, US Dollars, whenever I ask or them. Had Forints a few years back when I needed them.>>

anyone like to bet whether I can get Bulgarian Levs from the PO in my nearest town [pop. 14,000, give or take] without ordering?

my money says no. but they can probably get them in 24 hours or so which will be good enough for me.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 02:12 PM
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"Honestly, anyone would think you had to go on a treasure hunt to find an airport ATM."

It has nothing to do with a treasure hunt. It's their first trip to Europe, which usually causes a little anxiety for anyone when they land in a foreign country. Why hassle with that aspect, when you don't have to...to save five to 10 dollars in currency conversion?

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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 02:18 PM
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thursdaysd, These folks have never traveled internationally before & they aren't going to Kathmandu fer goodness sake!

I think it is less stressful for newbies to arrive with local currency already in your wallet. At least enough for the first few days.
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Old Oct 30th, 2015, 02:29 PM
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I think it is absurd to compare what some post office does in Britain to a bank in the US ansd since the OP is not going to be looking for a post ocfice to change money the usual BASH THE COLONIES mentality prevzils.
we actually arrived at Milan Linate one and the only visible ATM was broken.
To the OP: get enough money to get you to the first working ATM unless you enjoy lousy exvhange rates.
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