sm2707

Hi, I would like to get local currency for Switzerland (USD to CHF) and Italy (USD to Euro). Is it possible to get it from Switzerland Zurich Airport or I get it from USA.

Do they charge any extra fees on top of conversion rate?
Are thereany ATM vending machines at the zurich airport. I can punch my credit Card or debit card to get local currency. In that way I may not have to pay any extra fees beyond conversion rate

Thanks in advance!

scatcat

I use an ATM card all over Europe. I stop at the first ATM I come across in the airport, unless I have leftover currency from my previous trip which I usually do. I have always been able to find an ATM at all the airports. Coming from Switzerland into Tirano, Italy, I found one just across the street from the train station.

Mimar

Getting your cash from a foreign ATM is the easiest and cheapest way of changing money. All the airports I've been to have ATMs near the arrivals area.

European banks do not charge a transaction fee on ATM withdrawals. One may be charged by your US bank. Similarly the currency conversion fee is charged by your bank. Some banks charge a fee plus 3%. My 2 Visa debit cards from credit unions charge no transaction fee and 1% over the interbank rate for conversion.

Don't use a credit card to get cash -- unless it's an emergency. Interest starts immediately on credit card cash withdrawals.

And warn your bank and your credit card companies that you will be charging/withdrawing from abroad during the time period of your trip. Otherwise they may suspect fraud and block your card.

Christina

yes, there are ATMs at Zurich airport as I've used them. To be honest, I don't remember if you can get euro there or only Swiss francs. I was going to be in Switzerland a while so the issue didn't come up for me.

flanneruk

It's very, very rare for European cash machines to dispense foreign currency. And most that do charge a double conversion rare.This may not be visible as two transparent fees, but will be clear on inspection as two conversion rates (in this case, $:CHF, then CHF:€) that are unfavourable to the buyer.

So even if there are cash machines at Zurich that sell euros, you'd probably be better off (financially, though this might be inconvenient) waiting till Italy to get euros out of a machine. The incremental cost, though, is likely to be trivial.

kybourbon

My credit union charges 1% over the interbank rate. You can find the daily interbank rate on sites like Oanda or XE. You need to notify your bank before traveling and have them flag your account so they don't block it.

At the airport in Switzerland, use your ATM card to get Swiss francs (chf) and when you get to Italy find an ATM to get euro.

If you plan to use credit cards, my credit union issued Visa and Mastercard charge 1% also. You do not want to get a cash advance on a credit card, but if you intend to charge purchases/hotels, you need to notify your credit cards before you travel also.

There are a few ATM's that charge fees in Europe. These are not bank ATM's, but more like ATM's you find in the states in stores like 7/11. Be sure you use a bank designated ATM that is compatible with your card (check the back for Cirrus, Star, etc.).

Remember when getting cash, there is a difference in exchange. If your bank daily limit is $400 you can not get 400€ as that would be $523. You would only be able to get 300€ (about $392).

Christina

I thought there might be some ATMs that gave you a choice of a couple currencies if they were used frequently in the area. I seem to recall seeing one like that somewhere in Europe, but it escapes me where it was (euro or something else). But it is possible it was really more like a machine that was a foreign exchange desk (and thus a markup), not an ATM.

tipsygus

I have used ATMs in Switzerland that have given a choice of CHF or Euro so it is possible that there is one at Zurich Airport.

ira

Hi sm,

You do not want to use your credit card to get money. It is considered a cash advance and you pay interest.

You want an ATM card.

Many people change about $100 into the currency of the first country they will visit at their departure airport. It will cost you an extra $7, or so, but you will have cash upon arrival.

Enjoy your visit.

broncoal06

In Switzerland, the UBS cash machines at airports and train stations pay out in multiple currencies (CHF, EUR, I've even seen GBP and USD as well). I think the CreditSuisse ones do as well, not sure about PostFinance.

If you have BofA in the States, BNL ATMs in Italy charge no fees and give you a good rate.

sm2707

Great! Thank you all for the great advises. I spoke to the BOA and they waived all types of fee associated and now I can use any ATM that do not charge their own fees like Cirrus, Star, etc. I wish I could have exchanged about 50 USD to CHF here USA so I have cash upon arrival but I guess I am too late for it as my departure date is just around the corner.

Thanks again everyone!

suze

Just remember DEBIT card at the ATM machine (not credit card!)

Christina

so I wasn't delusional! maybe it was at Zurich I saw that.