Best currency while travelling
 

We will be in Europe for 2 weeks in October. Starting in Venice, then going to Dubrovnik, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. I'm looking for recommendations about currency - should we take euros and change them as needed. Are ATMs reliable for local currency?

Take nothing - use ATMs to get cash as you need it. The "best' Currency is always the local currency - which you'll get out of cash machines.

Exchanging currencies costs more and multiple exchanges from currency to currency etc will cost even more.

Meant to add if you just was a LITTLE cash on landing you can exchange $100 or so at your home bank or at the airport (but I never do)

imf54,

As you may know, you should call your bank and let them know you plan to use your ATM at these various locations throughout Europe. Also, alert your credit card companies before you depart.

<i>Are ATMs reliable for local currency?</i>

They are more reliable than for foreign currency.

You will need Euros, Czech Koruna, Hungarian Forints and Croatian Kunas. While some places may accept Euros in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Croatia, I wouldn't count on it.

If you want to get a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting first, you could, or you could just wait til you get to an ATM at the airport.

I'm not sure what you meant by "Are ATMs reliable for local currency?" but when you use an ATM in a country, it will give you the currency of that country. I have used ATMs in Euro countries, plus all of the other countries you are visiting and never had a problem of any sort with an ATM. Just make sure you only take what you need so you don't end up with lots of leftover Kuna when you get to Budapest, for example.

Some airports in Europe (Prague for example) have Euro and Koruna ATMs so make sure you have the right machine (it will be written on the side in big BIG letters)

Use the local currency but if in trouble use Euro and though you will get bitten on the exchange at least you will not be offering dollars.

Thank you everyone!