dollars for euros
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Short answer: maybe in terms of bank here vs. bank there. Banks are usually definitely better than any of those bureaus.
Be sure to ask YOUR bank if they charge a commission for exchanges (the bureaus either charge an outrageous commission while giving you a better exchange rate OR they charge little or no commission and give you a bad exchange rate; in other words, avoid them).
I still think you should bag the whole idea and use an ATM if at all possible for the BEST exchange rate.
Be sure to ask YOUR bank if they charge a commission for exchanges (the bureaus either charge an outrageous commission while giving you a better exchange rate OR they charge little or no commission and give you a bad exchange rate; in other words, avoid them).
I still think you should bag the whole idea and use an ATM if at all possible for the BEST exchange rate.
#6
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Another possible problem--a few years ago a friend traveled to Italy and brought US dollars to exchange. The Italian bank would exchange only $100 bills and only the new ones with the bigger face. I'm not sure if there would be a similar problem in France. People just aren't doing this kind of exchange anymore. . . ATM cards for your bank account are the way to go.
#7
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It really depends on your bank, there is no rule. Generally, I think it is certainly true you would get a better rate in France, of course, that's where euros are used. I've seen rates on here that people quoted from their bank of around 5-15 pct, if I recall. Usually it seems to be around 10 pct, I think. I do remember one post from someone who did get euro at a very low rate from their bank, I was surprised.
Banks in France do not necessarily give you the best rate and many won't do that. I have always found bureaux de change to give the best rates in Paris, for example and they are more convenient in lots of ways. THis does not mean you will get a good rate if you insist on going to ones at the worst tourist points in Paris (like around place de Tertre in Montmartre or around place St-Michel; St-Germain is pretty bad, also). Avoid chain called Chequepoint.
It is very easy to exchange money in Paris, there are many bureaux de change, just don't fixate on banks.
Banks in France do not necessarily give you the best rate and many won't do that. I have always found bureaux de change to give the best rates in Paris, for example and they are more convenient in lots of ways. THis does not mean you will get a good rate if you insist on going to ones at the worst tourist points in Paris (like around place de Tertre in Montmartre or around place St-Michel; St-Germain is pretty bad, also). Avoid chain called Chequepoint.
It is very easy to exchange money in Paris, there are many bureaux de change, just don't fixate on banks.
#8
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A couple of years ago in Italy we went to park and had no change which we needed for the ticket machine. I went into a bank and tried to get change for large euros. They wouldn't do that for me since I wasn't a customer. I then pulled out a $20 US bill and asked them if they would exchange it for euro (cleverly thinking it wouldn't come out even and I'd end up with some change). Again they said they wouldn't do it for me because I wasn't a bank customer. So don't think that banks will necessarily exchange currency for you at all!
#12
Correct, I was just trying to get an answer for the OP (I don't know for sure myself).
Everyone is in agreement that ATMs are the best way to go. But some people, for whatever reason don't want to use this method. Some people don't have charge cards, etc.
So I am curious on the OPs behalf *IF* I must exchange U.S. dollars to Euro, "will I get a better exchange rate" if I do it at home or in France?
I was assuming in France.
Everyone is in agreement that ATMs are the best way to go. But some people, for whatever reason don't want to use this method. Some people don't have charge cards, etc.
So I am curious on the OPs behalf *IF* I must exchange U.S. dollars to Euro, "will I get a better exchange rate" if I do it at home or in France?
I was assuming in France.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Hi suze,
I didn't intend my response to be directed at you, which is why I just quoted the remark.
If one absolutely refuses to take our advice and just has to exchage cash, there will be a slight advantage to doing it in France.
I didn't intend my response to be directed at you, which is why I just quoted the remark.
If one absolutely refuses to take our advice and just has to exchage cash, there will be a slight advantage to doing it in France.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
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We're taking a repositioning cruise at the end of April and our stops includes Funchal and Lisbon Portugal, Villefranche (taking a taxi or local transport to Monaco and Monte Carlo for a couple of hours) France and Malaga and Barcelona Spain. Any input on if all three countries take the Euro, if we should wait to get to Portugal and get enough Euro for all stops, get it in each individual country or what? Hate to sound unsure, but I am. You said to use ATM's - are you saying that when we are in each individual place (or the first place) we should find an ATM, use our US bank card and "withdraw" whatever amount of Euro's we want at the time? Thank you so much for your help.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Portugal, Spain and France all use the euro. It doesn't matter in which country you get them. The euros you get in Portugal will work just as well in Spain, France or any country that takes euros. When you enter a withdrawl amount into the ATM, you are asking for that amount in euros, not dollars.