Euros
 

I am going to Europe in a week and need some help with the purchase of Euros...Should i get some in the U>S> or wait until I get to Rome, my first stop. Is it easy to use a debit card there? Or is best just to use my credit card?
Thanks, A happy traveler

You are going to get all kinds of responses to this question, but the bottom line, don't use your credit card to buy Euro unless you want to take a cash advance on the card.

Use your credit card for hotel/rental car/purchases. Use the debit card in the ATMs for cash.

You could purchase some at the airport before you depart or wait to get some at an ATM in the airport. It will cost you more to get some before hand. Choice is yours. ((b))

You'll get responses from anal people like me who wouldn't feel entirely comfortable having to rely on an atm machine that is down or temporarily unavailable to dispense cash, and others who fly by the seat of their pants.

It is easy to use a debit card there and cheaper than using a credit card -- at least at the atm machines.

For me, I like to have 200 euro in my pocket before getting on the plane, just in case I can't find an atm, want a taxi or something to eat or drink before arriving at the hotel.

<i>For me, I like to have 200 euro in my pocket before getting on the plane, just in case I can't find an atm, want a taxi or something to eat or drink before arriving at the hotel.</i>

Wow Surfergirl, you must be REALLY hungry and thirsty! :-)

I have never had trouble getting <i>some</i> money from the ATM at the airport. I say &quot;some&quot; because some ATM machines limit you to something like 200 euro.

I went with 60 pounds and 100 Euros since I was going to both London and Paris and got the rest while I was there at ATm's

WOW!! 200 Euro? That's a lot of Euro. Must have cost you a pretty penny in conversion rates in the States.

I just got back from Ireland and didn't need any Euro until I had to pay for parking at the Cliffs of Moher -- 4 Euro. There were plenty of ATMs available way before that.

I guess it's all what you are comfortable with. I would guess Rome Airport would have a couple of ATMs. If not, transportation into the city would take credit cards.

If you're on vacation and could care less about the exchange rate, get it at the airport prior to departure. ((b))

Grasshopper -- I know, I know, but you never know how long it will take to get from point A to point B in a taxi. When you come from California, like me, looking at a map at the rest of the world, your perception of actual size of a place gets a bit askew!

Surfergirl, I can't really blame you if that's what makes you feel warm &amp; fuzzy.

Maybe I'm just giving a perspective from someone who has been to Europe many times. ((b))

Surfergirl... I know that story. I fly from SFO. And I don't sleep on flights. Day one is hard. Truth be told, I usually have some left over euro from the last trip (or GBP, or SF) I feel sort of like an international bank.

We just returned from a week in Italy and we bought 200 in converted traveler's checks from triple A before leaving and got 200 in Euros from a bank.
I cashed the traveler's checks at a Travelex in the airport when we got there.
The rest of the time we used credit cards.
The only time we really needed Euros was for taxis and shopping in the markets such as in Florence at the leather market. Also, for tipping at hotel. It is a good idea to make sure you get some coins since they use those for 1 and 2 Euros denominations. From there it goes to a five dollar bill. I prefer to have change when paying taxi drivers and for tipping. Also, you will need smaller change than that for toilets sometimes. They charge .50 at some places to go in, others they are sitting there with a tip jar.
Hope this helps.

What is the easiest way to get euro coins (smaller denominations and change) before leaving the U.S.?

Hi gofor,

You cannot get Euro coins until you get to the Euro zone countries.

Banks, currency exchange and ATMs deal only in bills.