What best to take to visit Europe from the US?
1. Traveler's Cheques?
2. Some cash?
3. Debit card to use at the ATM machine?
Also, is the bank the best place for currency exchange because they have better rate and fee?

This has been answered lots of times before. The best is a debit card to use at ATMs and a credit card.
Get some Euros upon arrival at the airport in Europe, or if you feel happier having some before you arrive, buy a small amount from a bank, or possibly the AAA.
Travellers cheques are not accepted in the same way as they are in the US - you would need to find a bank to change them, and I believe the rate given on them, plus the commission involved makes them expensive.

What countries do you plan to visit?
1. Check with your bank as to your least expensive options.
2. Re: Bank? Your bank or an European one? Many American banks have no facilities or experience with foreign currency.
3. Once in Europe, you can check 'currency exchanges' for daily rates. Learn the difference between 'buy' and 'sell' rates.
4. Avoid airport and hotel exchanges, they usual have the most costly rates.
5. If you plan to use a debit/check card, set limits on both cash and purchase limits.

I keep some cash for necessities, but try not to use it.

I use a debit card to get cash out of the ATM machines.

I use a credit card for most purchases.

I guess I should have check the site first for this topic.
I am visiting Amsterdam and Frankfurt
Bank- I meant bank in the above European cities, not the bank in the US.
hetismij: What is AAA (do you the Auto Club?)
Yeah, I did have travellers cheques last time and I was surprised how high the commission was. They ate up my $$$.
Thanks all.

I had traveller's cheques in '95 and ended up not using them because even then, there were ATMs all over the place in Italy. My last trip in Spring last year, all bank card for any cash requirements; otherwise, credit cards

Any problem with buying Euros with cash upon arrival, whether at the airport, a train station or bank?

flsd

The problem with cash is that you

1) Have to bring the cash--how much do you plan to carry?

2) May not be able to exchange every type of bill.
In 2001, my friend brought a few $100 bills to Italy and tried to exchange them. The banks would only exchange the new Big Ben bills. A few of hers were still the smaller format.

If you are going to Amsterdam and Frankfurt, just use ATMs. No other option will be nearly as convenient or cost-effective.

ditto tg

travelanytime
I you are ever in London, believe or not, the best exchange rate I got for cash dollars was at Marks and Spencer Department stores exchange booths.

Well, it looks like the majority said the ATM is thebest way to go.
A little cash not for use but just iin case.
ATM for getting money for small and regular sending.
Use credit card for purchase, dinner etc.

Thansk for all of the tips. They really helps. I am getting a few ATM cards ready.

We're taking a 12-year-old niece on the upcoming trip to France. She doesn't have an ATM card. I'm thinking of just having her "bank" her money in our account, where we'll access it via our ATM card for her or, in the alternative, have her carry a few hundred in 20s to purchase Euros.

I think it would really be best for your niece to have her deposit her funds in your bank account, as long as you are going to be together all the time. And since she's only 12, I imagine so.

Buying euro with foreign cash in Europe is expensive, she'll lose maybe 5-10 pct of the value that way.

Thanks for that advice, Christina.

BTW, I just called one of my debit card providers about our upcoming trip to France to check on the daily withdrawal limit, and the bank rep said there is a list of countries where you may and may not use their cards. France is okay, she said, but suggested having a "backup" source of funds in case the card doesn't work.

Although we didn't have any trouble using a debit card at ATMs on our most recent trips to England and France, I guess it doesn't hurt to plan for the possibility that a card could malfunction.

Alert for everyone traveling overseas

I am spending my last night in London, after time in Ireland, France and 14 days here.
The new scam is: in the lower class eating places and bars when you give someone your credit card and they are using the carry around card machine, they will swipe the card and say it did not read. Then they pretend to wipe on the front of their shirt, but under the shirt is a hidden credit card reader. Also, some pretend to drop your card and as they pick it up they swipe it against a reader strapped to their leg. Pay cash in those places and use your card in better places. Never let your card out of your sight ANYWHERE.

egailc,

Ot happened to you or you read about it?

no offence but just sounds like an urban legend to me.

I know this has been addressed in the past.... but has anyone recently had problems using a U.S. Debit Card in an ATM in Western Europe. Europe is changing to the chip Debit/Credit cards. I know this hasn't been a problem in the past but has it changed recently?

3.
2.
1.
in order of my personal preference