Bravo Larry!

The majority of people posting here plan their own trip, we don't use "travel planners".

I'll speak for myself but I know what the exchange rate is already, certainly there is nothing shocking about it, nor is it more shocking because I have jet-lag.

I think this kind of post brings unnecessary fear in 1st timers, Keeps you in business, Mimi.

I assure you fear is not my business. Planning perfect trips is. From following this thread, most seasoned travelers understand my post and know who it's directed to. Also I'm in business because I offer hints like this.

Given all the recent threads about just plain ATM cards not working and machines eating your ATM card and pins with a leading zero not working, I don't think it's at all unreasonable to go with enough money so that you don't have to hit the first ATM you see.

Apparently your customers are in money exchange shock when they arrive in a foreign country. That doesn't seem like a perfect trip to me. Have you not prepared them?

rib, that's the point. They aren't in shock.

OK - even IF every single ATM in a country is down or out of money -- you simply walk inside the bank and the tellers will do the transaction for you.

sheesh - getting money is not brain surgery . . . .

There are reasons to bring euros from the states. I needed some (more than the ATM would provide) immediatley upon arrival last year.

But...to say that if you don't you'll be under shock trying to figure out foreign ATMs while you are jetlagged is a bit much. 99% of people will do just fine.

janisj,

Is this true? A foreign bank can access your money? I wouldn't be able to go into a bank here at home and withdraw cash if it weren't my own.

I assume they use your ATM card? So if the whole system is down, or you loose your card you are still out of luck, correct?

No sarcasm meant at all here, an honest question!

Yopu can get dosh out on your credit or debit card - and there's loads of places that offer this service - for a fee.

So from reading this string of messages...do you get a better exchange rate over in Europe? My husband and I will be traveling to Europe this March for the first time and are clueless about things like this.

I always thought the shock was when I returned home and went over my credit card and bank account statements. Who knows what I'm spending when I'm there.

"Yopu can get dosh" have you been enjoying the pub already , audere?

&quot;<i>So from reading this string of messages...do you get a better exchange rate over in Europe?</i>&quot;

Yes, much better.

&quot;So from reading this string of messages...do you get a better exchange rate over in Europe?&quot;
No, the same ... if you are Canadian

Yopu can get dosh&quot; have you been enjoying the pub already , audere? &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

Sadly not. I'm working late. I will however enjoy a reviving libation after I have finished.

For Canadians, it depends what bank you use.

If I use an ATM in Europe, the rate for me is 1% over the interbank rate plus a $3 fee, with Toronto-Dominion. There are other banks that have 2.5% over the interbank rate, and a $0 fee. There are banks that have a 2.5% fee, and a $5 fee. I think TD might actually have raised their rates to $5 too.

I can go to an exchange bureau beforehand and buy Euros for a rate of 2% over the interbank rate and no fee. If I buy the Euros from my bank, the rate over the interbank rate is higher than all of the above, although I don't recall it.

Wrong. You get a much worse rate of exchange in the US than you will in europe - so you're wasting money.

And if pulling money from an ATM is a truly traumatic experience for you - you probably shouldn't be leaving the house alone - never mind going to europe.

As a comparison to WillTravel's post, what kind of exchange do those in the US get when they buy Euros at home vs at an ATM?

I've made the exchange so many times with so many different card/machine/currency/bank combinations that the actual cost of the exchange doesn't seem to matter much. It's just nice to have some euro when you arrive.