First-time traveler to Europe, leaving 7/02! HELP!
 

I have never been to Europe and I am heading to London, Paris, Brussels and Dublin on 7/02. What do I do about money? Do I exchange it here in the U.S. or wait until I get there to do it? Exchange rates stay the same wherever you are, right? I know I sound dumb, but please help!

You don't <u>exchange</u> money anywhere. You leave your $$ in your checking account and use your ATM card to get £ and € when you need them. Exchanging currency is very expensive w/ extra fees and worse rates.

Be sure to call your bank (and credit cards companies) and tell them you will be out of the country -- otherwise they may freeze your account because of unusual activity.

You <i>can</i> exchange a few $ at your departure airport if you are nervous about arriving w/ no money in your pocket. But definitely not more than $50 or $100 max.

If you have an ATM card with the VISA logo (MasterCard may work too, but I've only ever used VISA) you can use that to withdraw cash from ATMs in Europe. Check the symbols on the back of your card. The one I use for overseas travel has the INTERLINK and PLUS symbols on the back.

Before you leave contact your bank to let them know you will be using your card overseas and where. Find out what fees your bank charges for overseas ATM withdrawals. My credit union passes along the 1% VISA fee but doesn't charge any other fees. Overseas banks normally don't charge for ATM withdrawals. The fees may make a difference in how much you withdraw at any one time.

If you go the ATM route make sure the money is in your checking account as that will usually be your only option for where to withdraw it from. Use your credit card for paying for things like hotels, large purchases, etc. Do not use your credit card for cash withdrawals. And make sure your PIN is four digits as that is what accepted in Europe.

"<i>And make sure your PIN is four digits as that is what accepted in Europe.</i>" That once was the case - but no longer. For a few years now, 4, 5 and 6 digit PINs will work -- as long they are numeric (no letters)

(MasterCard may work too, but I've only ever used VISA)>>>>

MAstercard is every bit as ubiquitous as Visa. You will find Amex harder to use - but Visa and MAstercard will be taken pretty much everywhere other than small shops for tiny purchases like newspapers.

Do some reading on the airplane. Most guidebooks will have tips about getting cash and using credit cards, as well as a lot of other things.

I am curious, and don't want to be rude at all, but would you mind sharing about how you are about to leave on a complicated itinerary in two days, and don't yet know about getting cash?

Of course it is none of my business, but I am intrigued.

Tuscan:

The OP may be messing with the board.

There is no other activity under the OP's name.

The question is so basic and uninformed that it is nearly preposterous that s/he has not investigated the answer yet, especially considering that there are TONS (or TONNES in the UK?) of threads and responses on this board about ATM usage.

And the last question -- "Exchange rates stay the same wherever you are, right?" -- is simply ludicrous considering that anyone traveling abroad should know that exchange rates change daily.

"<i>"Exchange rates stay the same wherever you are, right?" -- is simply ludicrous considering that anyone traveling abroad should know that exchange rates change daily.</i>"

Not necessarily. I have several friends who - on their first trip out of the country had <B>absolutely</B> no understanding of exchange rates, bank rates, travelers cheques, overseas ATMs - or anything.

I give travel programs - and more than one person in every single group assumes US$ are accepted everywhere. The lack of knowledge is really scary sometimes.

Janis, hope you have an "unfit to travel" stamp with indelible ink. I know you are right,but isn't it truly amazing. Perhaps you can place it across their forehead.

<B><red>unfit to travel</red></B>

:))

How about an "unfit to post" Fodors flag?? (And I don't mean this OP - those really are pretty reasonable questions)

1. Take your regular ATM card and use it to get local currency directly along the way.
2. Carry some U.S. dollars as a back-up and keep it to exchange in an emergency.
3. Take a credit card (hopefully one that doesn't wack you with a high international fee, but it's a little late to work that part out).
4. Travelers checks, optional. Plan to change at a bank or exchange bureau not spend them directly in businesses.

And don't forget that they drive on the other side of the street in London and Dublin. So if you have to cross the street to get to an ATM, look to your right.

Unless it is a one way street from your left. Good luck.

suze's list is good - except for #4. Even most banks won't accept TCs anymore. And at an exchange bureau they will cost a fortune to cash.

That's why they are the last option on my list! For some people in some situations (who don't have a debit card or credit card or in a real emergency situation).

Since this person seemed really lost with the answer to this question, I figured I might as well list all the possibilities.

The problem is -- TCs really aren't a viable option any more. I've known folks who ended up stuck w/ lots of basically unusable TCs.

JanisJ~ I will take your word for it because you are much more experienced than I am about traveling in Europe. So no TC's.

Okay, we have the money thing sorted out out. What about food?

Cold, you've made my day. I am thrilled to see you.

And please, don't eat the food.

Janis, I don't disagree with anything you said except "not necessarily." Just because there are tons of travelers who don't understand the most basic concept of foreign exchange doesn't make it any less ludicrous to have such a lack of knowledge.

Very glad you didn't wait until the last minute.

Exchange rates can vary from block to block, credit card to credit card, day to day.

Worst rates to exchange money are hotels and the exchange windows at an airport.