I too found people from NYC far less complicated and fearful than in other parts of the USA. Maybe because they've seen enough sh*t already.

Logos, it's quite a stretch to say that people who take cash along with them are "fearful."

I can give an example of why I carry a modest amount of cash: a flight to Brussels had to make an emergency landing due to a passenger having a heart attack en route. By the time the flight finally made it into Brussels, the foreign currency exchange stands were closed. The ATMs were out of order because the armored truck drivers who deliver the cash to the ATMs were on strike. Few taxi drivers were willing/able to take credit cards (I had a full size suitcase and did not live close to any of the 3 main Brussels train stations at the time).

With cash already in my wallet, I jumped into a cab and was home in 20 minutes, instead of standing in a LONG line to buy an airport train ticket with a credit card, then waiting for the train.

Fear had nothing to do with my decision.

As mentioned, how many ATMs were between the airport and your destination. Many possibilities for a short stop. Cab drivers wait and let you draw some cash from the ATM. :-). And you also have cash at home, right.
It's just not an issue in any western town. I wouldn't worry about it.

Taking the fastest, cheapest route: NONE until I was a block from my apartment. And that machine was out of cash as well due to the driver strike.

That IS bad luck ;-)

Logos, having grown up in NYC, I'm far from fearful!

Anyway, you don't have a few hundred bucks in your wallet at all times? ;)

There is no fear factor here either. For me, I just like to be prepared for any situation.

And I'm another one who doesn't like to land after an 11 hour flight and have to find a cash machine. I'm tired, I might be trying to navigate my way around an unfamiliar airport, I have to stand in line at customs. I don't want to stand in line to get cash and then discover I don't have coins needed to pay to use the restroom (been in that situation too, GreenDragon). I just want to get to my hotel as soon as possible.

And another factor I think that some men don't even consider, is that a female, often traveling alone and arriving at a destination without appropriate currency can leave one vulnerable. I also aknowledge there are plenty of solo women travelers who are perfectly comfortable arriving without cash, but I don't happen to be one of them.

My mother always said it only takes one time to be unprepared and have disaster strike. I always listen to my mom.

Yes. I feel better if I have the local currency, USD and extra credit cards. Plus two different ATM cards.

Whoknew 's mother is right.

I think the point made above about traveling solo/female is a valid one. If I'm traveling with a partner, if something goes wrong I can borrow money from them. When you're alone... you need your ducks in a row.

I take a little of EVERY method of currency (USD, euro/franc/whatever, credit cards, ATM cards, Travelers Checks), split up and carried not all together among my purse, carryon, and suitcase.

I've already posted more than once about the inexplicable failure of my ATM card in 2003, in Denmark (although it would have failed anywhere). It turned out to be due to a very low limit the bank had put on the card, for no reason at all. My son's card, on the same account (and I was the principal contributor to this account), worked.

The bank apologized when I got home, but that didn't do me any good when I needed the money.

I don't have any problem getting a good rate on currency before I go, generally 2% over the interbank rate and no fees:
www.vbce.info

I truly can spell acknowledge.

cafegoddess: my mother will be thrilled to know that she was right. And that I admitted it. In public.

I don't want to go to an ATM after a long plane ride either. I want to go out & enjoy. I do boring legwork type stuff before I leave. I make sure I get a good rate, too.

Also when I need cash for an apt I don't want to bother getting my daily ATM limit raised to $600 or whatever. I don't want to go to an ATM in a city known for pickpockets, like Rome and withdraw 1,000 euro while who knows who is watching.

Fearful,, that is so off target. Tired, cranky, impatient to get to hotel, those are the reason why I would not rely on an airport ATM. Where I live those things break down sometimes, and I don't want to look like a twit arriving broke.
Plus I don't take taxis( wimps, LOL) I take the train into the city, and most ticket machines take cash( not my CC's since they are not chipped)and there is not always a manned kiosk open .

I now think( after reading these posts) that taking some cash from home, as some of you do, is not such a bad idea as I used to think. I mean it is emergency cash, and if you don't need it then you can just bring it home without losing by converting it.

If I *need* local currency and the ATM doesn't work, believe me I'm not worried about the exchange rate for change a couple hundred bucks worth to bail me out of whatever unforeseen situation I find myself in!

What is wrong with carrying some cash ?

Works every time any place .

danon, are you asking about local cash, or cash from home?
Local cash does indeed work anyplace and anytime. Your cash from home will only work if you can find a bank or exchange booth.

I had a friend that took $100 bills to France 2 years ago. In Normandy, they would just exchange one style of bills (I think the newer version). They apparently feared counterfeiting of the other version

local cash of course !

Nichel_Paris - it was definitely a Washington Mutual ATM card - I've never used a credit card to get a cash advance. And don't worry - I visit Canada all the time - my daughter is now a college student there. :-)

I have some dollars in my purse for airports at home. I always have left-over Euros from my last trip, too. The nice thing about them is that so far, they've always been worth more on the second trip than when I originally bought them.