My trip has most of the sights included, all dinners except 2. Is it necessary for us to change money in euros? Can we give the tour director, bus driver, etc. US money. If they allow us to bring home cheese, can we charge that as well as delft and other gifts. Thanks for your help.

Yes you'll need Euros. Just go to an ATM and take out what you'll need.

Tipping some one in currency other than their own means that they then need to get it changed (and pay an exchange fee). I'd suggest using your ATM card to get a some Euros for tips, small purchases, etc.

If the country you are going to uses the Euro as the currency why would you try to use US Dollars.

If somebody came into your store back home and tried to pay you in Euros would you accept that as payment???

Exchange your money and pay them in proper currency.

I'm not sure where you are going, to Delft? YOu mention it. Well, I've been there and think if you buy enough, you can charge it to a credit card, is that what you want to know? I don't carry cheese around unrefrigerated for long, so am not sure what you are asking, but I imagine some places might take credit cards for expensive cheese.

If you don't plan to spend any money in cash, you wouldn't need to change money to euro. But you aren't talking about one day, but an entire trip of many days? I don't think that would be possible. What if you want to buy a bottle of water or something?

I don't know about the bus driver, etc., if this is an American tour, I imagine they are used to getting some tips in USD and if that truly were you only place to use cash, I wouldn't worry that much about that. Yeah, they will have to change it for local currency where they live, but a tip is excess money, so build in a little extra for them to do that, if you want.

Get some Euro. Who knows, you might want to buy an ice cream from a street vendor or grab a beer from a local pub.

Hi iris,

Unfortunately, since about 1950, dollars aren't all that useful in Europe.

I suggest that you get some Euro at an ATM machine. They give the best exchange rates, and the only charge is from your home bank.

If you are going to bring back cheese, be sure that it is vacuum packed.

Yes, definitely change money. There is a bank fee for changing cash, so if you give a tour director, bus driver, or waiter US dollars, they'll have to pay to exchange them - expensive and inconvenient!
Regarding cheese, you can buy whole rounds of cheese in the Netherlands (and some other countries)which are covered with a layer of soft plastic. These rounds vary from about the size of a softball (about one pound) to the size of large round pillow (about 15 pounds), and they do not need to be refrigerated as long as they have not been cut open. I always take a few 1-pound/half-kilo rounds to give as presents when I travel abroad. You can buy these rounds in most cheese shops and markets, and also at the delicatessen at Schiphol airport (lower quality there, though). "Jonge" (young) cheese is fairly mild, "belegen" (rested a bit; somewhat ripened) has more of a bite to it, and "oud" (old; well-ripened) is the tangiest, preferred by many because it's got the most taste. Enjoy!

In Europe, Euros are money: US$ are not money there: just interesting pieces of paper worth slightly less than their US face value.

Any ATM will give you the Euros you need.
Do as the europeans...use euros..

This must be your first trip out of North America, otherwise this question would not be asked. As you know, the US$ is widely accepted in Mexico, Canada, and the Carribbean. But once you get away from North America that will not be the case. It is positively imperative that you get €s for your trip. As mentioned above, use your ATM card for the best rates and the lowest fees.

If you tip in US$ I'm sure it will be accepted, however they would much prefer their own currency. If you were a tour guide, bus driver, etc. would you like to get a tip in a foreign currency? Probably not.

iris, I clicked your name and I was surprised to learn this is not your first trip to Europe, as you posted a very similar question for your Ireland trip in 2003. iris, please be advised for all future trips outside N. America that you absolutely MUST use the local currency. Have a great trip.

Thank you everyone for your response. I think I will buy $50 in euros when I get to the aiport and get more as time goes on. Is that enough for tips, ice cream, soda, etc. or should I get more?

How in the world can we know? How much soda and ice cream do you plan to drink/eat

Get out some Euros and if you need more then get some more. Some banks charge a $5 atm fee plus currency exchange fee so it may be better to pull out a bit more money and have fewer ATM transactions.

its enough for liquids to hydrate yourselves for that week,
but not much more.

$50=40 eur

3scoops ice cream =5eur
small soda = 2.5 eur
large coffee = 3 eur