Currency
 

In May, our family of 5 adults will be in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. We will have a rental car for the first 4 countries. As we are purchasing meals, gas, paying for toll roads, etc, will we need the currency of each country? Will all these countries accept Euros? How many of these countries will accept an American credit card? Many thanks!

Credit cards are acceptable in all these countries, to the degree that the business accepts them. I had the embarrassing experience of wanting to pay for a meal in Switzerland and the establishment did not take credit cards; my Swiss relative had to pay.

Each country accepts the currency that it uses. The euro for Germany and Austria, the Swiss franc for Switzerland and the krone for the Czech Republic.

>>will we need the currency of each country?<<

Yes.

Use www.oanda.com to tell you what the value of each currency is.

You may need local currency for toll roads in France. I could never get a credit card to work, so I stocked up on Euros and went to the cash line.

No problems in petrol stations or any of the countries in the past.

You might check with your bank(s) to see if they have a pin and chip ATM or credit card available.

The "trick" is to leave each country with as little currency as possible, as going to the local version of a Bureau de Change might end up being expensive.

In the Czech Republic, I had problems with US dollars at restaurants, and many of them are cash only. Make sure you have enough local currency with you when you dine.

>>In the Czech Republic, I had problems with US dollars at restaurants<<

And you were surprised by that? Would it be OK to try and pay a restaurant in California with Czech koruna?

And you were surprised by that? Would it be OK to try and pay a restaurant in California with Czech koruna?

Always found dollar was popular in Russia and China and most other countries. The Euro was also popular but not UK sterling. That was my experience.

The Czech is not as far as I am aware a international currency. The dollar is popular as I have said.

<< Will all these countries accept Euros? >>

You might find some merchants in Switzerland and Czech Republic who will accept Euros but they get to set the exchange rate and it will be hugely in their favor - not at all the standard exchange rate.

I urge everyone in your party to have their own cash (in local currency) for small purchases.

Many years later I fondly remember the American women in France who carried no cash because they depended on their husbands to carry the money. It think it was a bit embarrassing for them that they couldn't get into the restroom as they had no money for the matron!

The Swiss Franc and the Czech Koruna are two strong currencies, not some banana republic's kauri shells, and both countries are rightfully proud of them. There is absolutely no reason why another country's currency (there is no such thing as an "international" currency) should be used in their daily life. Better get used to that thought...

1) as stated you use the currency of the country. If you get desperate you can try US dollars or Euros but you will be carved on the exchange rate
2) American credit cards should be all right though American Express is not big everywhere.
3) Do check that the you are paying in the local credit card currency, the system is set up to give you the best exchange rate, however some traders may change your credit card transaction to US Dollars, this will give you a terrible exchange rate, you will see it happening on the screen in front of you and it is offered "as a service" like a bull "services" a cow.

Do not assume everywhere takes credit cards. They don't. If in doubt ask before you eat/sleep/buy.
As stated American Express will not do nicely as it is not widely accepted in Europe. Visa and Mastercard are the norm here.
Get your local currency at an ATM machine. Don't get out more than you are likely to need during your stay, as changing that currency into another will cost a lot.

AmEx is widely acccepted in europe - but quite often not in the more basic or local shops. Almost all places accept visa or MC - but do check - since some places are cash only (as in the US), An don;t expect to pay with a CC for modest amounts - less than $20 or so.

Czech currency is perfectly stable and necessary if you don;t want to lose a lot in an awful exchange if you insist on paying in $ (for the limited umber of places that will take them).

Agree - liked trying to buy something with koruna in New York.

Ads Switz uses the franc - and lots of them - only.

<i>AmEx is widely acccepted in europe </i>

The conflicting opinions on AmEx probably reflect different styles of travel. I have yet to walk into an establishment, with the possible exception of a Michelin starred restaurant that would accept AmEx.

A famous American politician would have answered the question as to the acceptance of Amex with it depends on your definition of widely accepted. Let's just say and I think we can all agree on this, mastercard and visa are much more widely accepted than Amex throughout most of Europe.

Also the question of small purchases with credit cards, a lot depends on the country and the culture of plastic acceptance. For the most part ccentral and eastern Europe are late to the plastic game and likely many places will not accept credit cards for small purchases (say under €10 or even more.

However there are other countries, say those with large grocery and convenience store chains where they will take credit cards for small purchases so it's hard to generalize on any of this.

I saw a few places in the Czech Republic that would accept euros (usually they had a sign indicating that), but I wouldn't count on it. I don't remember using euros in Switzerland anywhere.

Also,unless you have a credit card that doesn't charge a transaction fee (like my Capital One), you are better off using cash, even if credit cards are accepted.

When I went to Budapest, Vienna and Prague in one trip, I got a small amount of each currency ahead of time from my bank, just so I wouldn't have to make a bee-line for the atm upon arrival or crossing the border. When I needed more cash, I went to an ATM, only getting as much as I thought I could spend before leaving the country.

<Ads Switz uses the franc - and lots of them - only.>

Not true. I've seen plenty of places in Switzerland where prices were posted in CHF and euro. I think it's a lot easier to just go with CHF, but to say no one will take euro is not correct.

Gordon_R,

My first night in the Czech Republic, traveling with my 86 year old mother.

She barreled past the ATM machines, so I couldn't stop to exchange. She gets lost easily, so it was better to try to keep up with her.

Local restaurant took no credit cards.

I normally make sure I have the equivalent of at least $200 US in local currency before I leave the airport, but couldn't this time.

Suze - Agree, I've used Euros in Switzerland when I was out of Swiss francs. It's never been a problem.

Many merchants in Switzerland take euro and return euro change. The rates seem just about right.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice. I will go to my bank and get Swiss franks and Czech crowns. I will also check with my Visa card company about foreign transaction fees. I have learned so much from you- thank you for taking the time to respond.

Don't go to your bank for foreign money, use your ATM card when you get there.

We currently live in Vienna, and have experienced varying availabilities to pay for purchases or services when we travel about with Euros or local currency. We traveled to Prague over winter break, and it was hit-or-miss whether we could use small Euro notes or Czech currency, and we were always given Czech change. We have found this to be the same in Hungary, not just in cities near the Austrian border, but even in Budapest.

Here in Vienna do not assume your credit card (or bank card) will be accepted at smaller restaurants and stores. Central Europe is still very much cash-based.