martyharly

Besides using my credit card, I always like having cash on hand for small purchases. Many people suggest obtaining Euros at the ATM's at airports in Europe to obtain the best exchange rate. We are flying LAX to Vienna, so I can obtain Euros at the airport there. The difficulty may be that after that, our motorcycle tour crosses several boarders including Hungary where I will also need another currency, then Slovenia, and possibly Croatia. My tour company has recommended having some cash for the more remote areas we will be traveling which do not always accept credit cards. I know I can obtain all different currencies in Los Angeles at local coin/exchange shops. Is there really a huge difference between the exchange rate here as opposed to obtaining it at an ATM in say, Hungary?

PalenQ

Hungary is on the euro i believe.

every country you'll be in has plenty of ATMs and also exchange kiosks to exchange hard currency like euros or dollars (well dollar not so hard anymore but still qualified) with low fees.

You'll lose tons IMO by say getting Croatian currency in LAX if it is possible.

euros are always magic in those countries as are dollars, Swiss francs or even British pounds.

martyharly

Hungary is still not on Euro, and may not be for quite some time. I did find that as of January, Slovenia is using Euros. One less currency to obtain.

PalenQ

but euros or dollars are the only currencies you'll need.

I was in Bratislava in Jan and their Slovak crown rules - yet there were kiosks everywhere changing euros or dollars for crowns with seemingly very little formality or commissions - at least significant.

xyz123

I of course don't think it necessary to exchange any currency before a trip..ATM's in the 21st century work very well thank you.

When crossing a border into a country not yet using euro, you will find exchange places at the border or you can wait till the first town and get the local currency.

You will find in Hungary that many merchants, even in the backest of backwoods accept euro, price everything in forints and in euro and give change in euro (not all but many)...I wouldn't sweat it and I certainly wouldn't get these currencies in advance.

kerouac

Very small quantities of the non euro currencies should be sufficient, as many things are priced in euros already in preparation of the changeover, even when it is years away.

nytraveler

Don;t bother with getting all thse currencies in advance. At evrery boarder crossing there will be ATM machines and you can pull however much of the local currencies you need. Simpler, safer and saves you money.

And it's a VERY bad idea to try to use euros or $ throughout - some tourist places may take them - but you will lose a tremendous amount on the exchange rate (they don;t charge "fees" - just give you 10 or 15% less than the dollar or euro is worth).

hopscotch

I bring a good supply of US dollars to eastern Europe. There are Forex offices and banks everywhere willing to change to the local currency. Rates are decent. Bring the dollars in 20s, 10s, and 5s so you don't get more of the local than you will spend. Use your CC for most purchases like hotels, restaurants, etc. V/MC/Amex stickers are on the windows of many many stores.