Is it true you can only get pounds from ATM machines in UK, specifically in London? We are taking cruise to several other countries that use using Euros. Anyone been to Vigo, Spain or Lisbon to advise if there are ATMs near ports?

They are not commmon outside of London, in fact I have never seen one, but I understand Bishopsgate - Natwest bank and There is one somewhere at St Pancras station.

Failing that Marks and Spencer or the post office anywhere are commission free and competitive.

In Continental Europe there are always loads of machines.

Muck

Yup, Pounds sterling only. Strange question. I wouldn't expect to get Pesos out of an ATM in New York, would you?

I guess canadian dollars in NY ATMs would work too.

Convenience aside, getting euro from UK ATM costs you more, as there's double conversion involved: from your own currency into sterling first, and then into euro. You will be charged the normal fee for using ATM abroad, plus stg/euro exchange rate used by the bank running the ATM is around 5% worse than wholesale money market rates.
It will be a lot better using ATM in euro countries.

You can get euro and US dollars from an ATM at Marks & Spencer at Cribbs Causeway near Bristol, at Bristol Airport, and euro at the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, so I am sure there must be other locations.

However, if there is a double currency conversion fee, it may not be a good idea for anyone with a non-U.K. bank account.

There is no reason you should get €'s in the UK.

Simple solution--As soon as you dock in a country using €'s, hit the ATM. ATM's are very easy to find most everywhere you go.

I think the OP was asking if there are ATM's at the other European ports so that she can get some euros.

barbintx: Wait to get € until you are in a €-zone country. There are ATMs <u>everywhere

ATMs are less common at cruise ship terminals than at regular ferry terminals where there is a lot of daily international traffic (commercial & leisure). But if you wait until you are in town, as stated, ATMs are everywhere. So it's wise to get some euro beforehand (say 50 euro worth). There is usually an exchange counter on board where you can exchange a small amount of cash (pounds, US$ etc) into euro (not brilliant rates, but for a small amount it's insignificant), get some at US departure airport or indeed at UK ATMs dispensing euro (if you can find one - there are only a handful). Or if you are in any British town, there are exchange offices and travel agents that convert pounds into euro at a good rate and no commission (currently around 1.13 to the £), or banks and post offices. rates are usually prominently posted on windows - it's a very competitive market.

Hi BIT,

You could get about 100E and 100GBP at your departure airport. It will cost you about $10-15 more than if you did the same transaction in Europe.

This will give you some cash until you find a proper ATM.

You can also get currency from the ship at about the same rate.

Thanks to everyone. As suggested, we got some pounds and Euros here in the States and will use ATMs in other countries as needed.