live42day

We are leaving in 5 weeks for our trip to Europe. I like to have some cash on hand to pay for cabs, tips etc until I can get to a cash machine. I know that many dont think it necessary to do so, just get upon arrival, but I always like to have some 'just in case'.

I was going to go to my bank tomorrow to order some local cash, but wanted to ask first what is necessary.

We start in Prague, so we were going to bring $200 worth of Czech Koruna. Then to Poland so was going to have $200 of Polish Zloty. Not sure where we are heading from there, perhaps Hungary, Romania Albania, Macadonia?? Not sure.

We will be in Croatia and Italy and Spain for sure.
I was also going to get a few hundred of Euros.

Will the Euros work in Eastern Europe in a pinch? I know that in Italy and Spain they will be fine,

Thanks for any help.

Michael

We went to Poland and previously to Hungary with no local cash, just found an ATM at the airport.

Italy and Spain's currency is the euro.

John

Agree with Michael. Went to Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and found ATM QUICKLY at the airport and train stations without any hassles.

adrienne

Does your bank actually supply Central/Eastern European currency? GBP and Euros would be a given but the other currencies? I'd call before going to the bank. If you can get currency I think $200 Zloty is a lot of money.

adrienne

Yes - you can use Euros in a pinch, also USD but the exchange rate will be terrible (as will the rate when you order in advance from your bank).

live42day

Thanks for you quick responses. I can usually get any currency at my bank (except for Burmese etc).
Maybe I will get only $50 of each. I am the type of person who likes to be prepared in case of the unexpected. We arrive at 11PM into Prague and will have a driver meet us who will expect cash so I dont want to start the trip with any hic-ups. I know it is not necessary, but it is what I always do.

Christina

I'm surprised you can get those currencies in the US, also, as the aren't that common. If you can get it at your bank easily, go ahead. But otherwise, the airport will have exchange desks, also, you know, if you are thinking you will have ATM issues. But since you are getting there so late at night, might be a good idea of the first one.


I really would not get all those country's currencies in advance before your trip in the US. If you feel you should get koruna, okay, but then I'd wait and get the next country's currency there while on your trip. There are plenty of exchange places in those cities, if you have some cash to exchange (USD or euro). I really can't imagine why you would need US$200 of polish zloty or the other currency, either.

live42day

okay, thanks. I guess I will just get the Koruna and euros. I am from Canada not the US.
I will let you know if I can order them tomorrow just for interest sake.

Delaine

I'm like you, live42day. When I went to Vienna, Prague and Budapest several years ago, I got a bit of each currency, euros, koruna and forint, from my bank (Wells Fargo). It was nice not to have to immediately search for an ATM at the airport.

live42day

thanks Delaine. It is one less thing for me to worry about having a bit of local currency. I am a planner and need to have every thing covered so that I can just relax once I get there.

live42day

As an update, I just came from my bank where I was able to order Czech Korona, Polish Zloty and Hungarian money without any problems. I use HSBC in BC/Canada and they buy from someone in Vancouver. Of course the Euros were not an issue

adrienne

Thanks for letting us know - this is good information.

tomboy

"I like to have some cash on hand to pay for cabs, tips etc until I can get to a cash machine"

So, how many feet from the exit ramp from the plane do you think the first ATM would be? Maybe 50 feet?

And how many within the terminal? Maybe 15?

Fifteen ATMs. Do you REALLY have to tip the flight attendant?

Bobandco

I got to "Eastern" Europe a few times a year. The local currency can be a bit of a hassle but the exchange rates you are going to get in the US are really, really, really bad. Clear it with your bank and then take your ATM card. There isn't a country you listed where you can not use most major bank ATM cards. I use my credit card as much as possible and pull out cash with the ATM as needed. For the leftovers keep an eye open in the airports and train stations for donation boxes for charities.

live42day

Thanks for all your responses. I have ordered the money, that is what I have chosen to do as it makes me feel better to be prepared with a bit of the local currency. Maybe I paid a bit more to do it this way, I dont really care. I am not talking thousands of dollars here. I only got a bit to start me off and then will use ATMS the next day as needed. I think that you are being unnecessarily snarky Tomboy. You can choose to do it your way, I did it mine. Thanks.

sparkchaser

DO NOT buy currency in the U.S. unless you like flushing money down the toilet.

sparkchaser

Oh, wait. I see you already did.

Well then, for anyone in the future that finds this thread during a search: DO NOT order money from a bank. It's fiscally foolish and a newbie mistake that is 100% avoidable.

centraleurope

Hey Live4... If you don't like snarky, this is the wrong place to hang out (I bet you knew that).

I never exchange money in advance and I wing it on ATMs. Recently we took the train to Zagreb, arrived very delayed, and all the ATMs were behind locked door. In Central Euroep, ATMs are not always on every corner as they are in the west.

Arriving at midnight (vs. the planned 7PM) we had no choice but to walk, which was fine. No big deal - it was a few miles. Having a bit of local currency in my pocket would have been nice.

So while not always "smart" or necessary - I can understand why you do this. And given it is both your trip and your money, who am I to judge?

I hope you have a wonderful vacation. You will see some great new places, no doubt.

sparkchaser

Well, they're starting in Prague and there are ATMs pretty much everywhere there to support the hordes of Germans and U.S. servicemen coming to Prague to party.

The smartest thing for OP to have done was to have about 50 Euro in tens, taken from an ATM as soon as they landed in Europe. That would have been plenty to tide them over if they ended up somewhere where it was inconvenient to get to an ATM because shopkeepers and the like are more likely to accept Euros than US dollars.

adrienne

<< The smartest thing for OP to have done was to have about 50 Euro in tens, taken from an ATM as soon as they landed in Europe. >>

Can you get Euros from an ATM at the Prague airport?