Currency exchange - I know, I know use an ATM, but....
 

What's the best way of converting money back to US dollars, IF we don't spend it all?

Save it for the next trip!

I wouldn't know...we spent every last Euro!

Your bank back home should exchange (or at the airport there will probably be an exchange), but you will pay a commission and they usually only exchange paper bills.

I give out my coins as souveniers to kids and I don't take too much cash out of the ATM at any time while I'm there (goodness knows they are everywhere). I start using the cash the last day or so on my purchases to use it up so I don't have to worry about exchange when I get home.

You can exchange it at the airport, but you will get a lousy exchange rate.

I always keep a small amount of Euro for my next trip (35-40), but since you are leaving from Switzerland, just budget yourself, and spend the remainder at the duty free at the airport. They will usually take a combination of US/Swiss/Euro for your purchases, at least at Shannon airport they did. ((b))

Converting it back is just awful. Spend it at the duty free at the airport.

The problem is I'm going to be in London, Austria, and Switzerland which all use different currencies.

Most international airports have collection boxes for unwanted currency. Proceeds are most often used for third world children's charities.

Far more useful there than lugging back trinkets you don't want bought from the junk stores that crowd out our airport departure areas.

If you'll be paying your hotel bill with credit card, pay part with cash -- all but $80-100 worth, reserving that for ground transport, airport snacking, and seed money for the next trip.

It's too bad we can't set up own little currency exchange here---people returning with currency could sell it to others at an agreed rate, and we'd all bypass the bank fees.

Well, let's see...what might we need to spend on our last day in town (if it isn't prepaid)?

Breakfast
Postcards
Kitschy tourist crap
Transportation to airport
Single-malt scotch at the DF
Probably some chocolate

Sooo - use up your cash before departure day and use plastic for the rest.

Great suggestions, thanks!

It's simple...

Use credit cards for everything anyplace they're taken no matter how small the purchase...

this way you'll need very little cash and so it won't make much of a difference.

If I want to get rid of the currency I usually do just what Robespierre suggestions...I spend it at a small tobacco shop or market on things like postcards, magnets, chocolates, etc. I never have a problem getting rid of it all. However, since we go to Europe a few times a year we usually save it for our next trip.

Tracy

Organize it so you have very little left in euros at the end. Either spend that at the duty free - or save as seed money for your next trip.

It's just a little harder with 3 different currencies. I'll have to plan for it 3 times, which means I'll have to get lots of tourist crap and 3 bottles of single malt scotch. Oh well, life could be worse.