I don't understand what is so difficult about getting cash from an airport ATM. There are usually banks of them as you depart. So many there's little or no line. Sometimes there's one in the baggage collection area, so you can get cash while waiting for your bags.

No matter how tired you are, you have to collect your bags, find your way out of the airport and into the city. Isn't all this stuff equally or more difficult than stopping at an ATM as you pass by it?

"There are usually banks of them as you depart."

Usually. FAR from always. And many smaller airports don't have rows of ATMs to handle multiple users at the same time, just one or two. And just because an airport has an ATM, it's NO guarantee that it will be working.

"Sometimes there's one in the baggage collection area, so you can get cash while waiting for your bags."

And sometimes people will travel with just carry-on. And in most of the airports I've traveled through lately, I have NOT found ATMs in the baggage collection area.

"No matter how tired you are, you have to collect your bags..."

Not if you are traveling with carry-on only.

With all the hassle involved in traveling, why make another stop at the ATM when you can finally be on your way!

I never found this subject to be an issue worth talking about. (And I usually have an opinon on anything :D ). I've got cards and cities got ATMs . Use card with ATM -> get cash. :-). ATM not working? -> use other ATM
I tend to worry about other things. :-)

I always take about $100 in the local currency - but often it's left over from another trip. I also take about $250 in $ (just in case).

But - basically I use credit cards as much as possible and pull cash from ATMs.

Thanks for all the great info! I am using my ATM and credit card, but will pay Euro cash for a discount on hotel rooms.

My question is: In Greece for two people with 'breakfast included' hotel rooms, how many Euros do you allot per day for food and occasional taxi's or buses and tips? We have figured to do self guided or walking tours. We are not big drinkers and this wouldn't include gifts, etc. I am just curious if anybody out there has done a budget. Thanks!

Yes I always do! I've actually had the bad luck of arriving early morning and needed money for a cab - I had to wait until the Xchange opened!

Now, I don't usually exchange back tho, I'm always going back to Europe so I take my chance on the rates.