I learned a lot from all the replies to your post, seems like you have received some great advice. The only thing I would add is to make sure you contact your credit card company before travel to Europe to let them know your card will be used there. Depending on the credit card, if your use is markedly different from usual, they may block it for a day or so until you contact them and it can be very inconvenient.

You have received more info/advice that you probably thought possible :)

But I have a question not related to € or Swiss Francs . . . Are you actually planning on visiting multiple cities and 9 countries - by car - in 4+ weeks??

bratsandbeer...

In Europe, because of the introduction of chip and pin, almost all restaurants have these portable terminals that should be mandated in the USA...they bring the terminal to the table and swipe it right before your very eyes...in some cases they hand the terminal to you to enter the tip if you desire (but remember in many European restaurants no tip is required especially if the meru says service is included) and you press the button to complete the transaction. The card never leaves your eyes.

CarolePitt - apologize in advance for tagging along your thread.

On a similar note, where is the best place to get Euros from the US (cash)? Should I go to the bank or money exchange centers? Any recommendation of a particular good place/bank with lowest rate? Thanks in advance all!

jgliu: There are literally hundreds of threads about how to get cash. No, you do not want to exchange dollars for euros anywhere. Use your ATM card. Leave your money in your bank back home. You will get € out of the machines in Europe. (now there will be some looooooong posts about calling your bank first and 1% vs 3% foreign exchange fees - but the answer to your question is "don't exchange money anywhere)

If you want a few € just for your arrival day - get then at your departure airport - but even that is not necessary.

Hi CP,

Be aware that in Austria and Italy you will need an International Driver's permit
See http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp

Also, you need to buy a road tax sticker, vignette, to drive on the main highways in Switzerland and Austria.

It is almost impossible to buy fuel on Sunday, as most fuel stations are not staffed. You have to have a European "pin and chip" CC to use the automatic machines.

Fuel is usually cheapest at the large supermarkets in the outskirts.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

jgliu,
Some people report getting an OK rate from AAA, though you probably have to be a member. I like to have a little money in my pocket before I arrive, just so I can get out of the airport and to my first destination. I usually have leftover euros from the last trip, but I'm happy to buy abut $100 worth of euros at a bad U.S. rate. For so small an amount of money, it's just a few extra dollars in cost for peace of mind.

Apologize for not asking a clear question. I was referring as where to get the best Euro from the US to bring to Italy with us. We like to get some Euros handy prior to our arrival :) Thanks for all the inputs though - looks like ATM is the best solution :)

janis j...we're going to try..don't know how far we may get but are just going to stop and go as we like...have always wanted to do this ..actually haven't any time frame. Wish us luck/

Have highlighted areas that we have the most interest and the rest must take care of itself. We're ready!!!

P. S. Also thanks to all of you for helping us with the monetary situation. Oodly enough we have a Capital Bank credit card that we had not even though of using, is this for real? Will check with our bank on this one and use it for large purchases only and the rest cash and ATM's. Thanks to all of you!!!

jgliu,

How much money do you feel the need to get? My point is that if you're just exchanging only $100 or so, then any old bank that is convenient to you will probably be OK since it is such a small amount. Even if they charged you 10%, that would be $10 to get the cash you need at a convenient location. If you have to go to too much trouble to get it, it's not worth the effort--my time is worth something. You have to decide which is more important to you: cost or effort. I just go to a local bank. (I'm in NYC so we have a few options.)

OH--And that's also janisj's point: just use the departure airport exchange bureau to get a minimal amount of money. Think about all the money that's being spent on you vacation. Is this $10-$20 spent for peace of mind going to be that much of an issue in the long run?

Ellenem - thanks for your advise! I was too caught up with fees and didn't realize it is a pretty small amount... :) Thanks again!