We're leaving out of JFK for Athens and then popping right over to Crete. Do you folks recommend exchanging money in Crete or should I get a stash ahead of time? I used to get my foreign currency at AAA--does anyone have a better idea? Also, are there a good supply of ATMS on Crete and in the central mainland (Delphi/Pelion)? Did your bank charge anything additional for dishing out Euros--I get zapped almost 2 bucks for using out of network machines here, so I'm wondering what happens over there.

Thanks--Julie

Only your own bank can tell you what their fee will be for overseas activity!

When you call to notify your bank that you will be using your ATM card outside the country, they can tell you their fees.

Keith

Hi js,

I exchange about $100 at the departure airport so that I will have cash upon arrival.

I then use ATM's for all cash needs and charge everything I can.

I suggest that you find a bank with lower fees. Mine charges only $0.75.

Ira--my bank owns the world, they charge whatever they want. I'm a helpless pawn--actually an overworked mom who just doesn't have the energy to look into this right now. I spent two months researching a long distance telephone plan that worked for me, then another month on a cell phone plan. Several more weeks on an electric company--oops, I mean energy supplier. By this point, I'm getting faintly nostalgic for Taft-era monopolies...

I guess you need a new bank. Bank of America has answered all my questions quickly and honestly. The most I've ever been charged in hundreds of foreign ATM withdrawals is $1.50. Mostly I'm charged nothing as they offer me a list of banks that they have a deal with where I will be charged nothing for using those ATMS.

There were plenty of ATMs in Crete, it seemed to me, although, not in the villages. You're probably flying (?) into either Chania or Heraklion; no problem getting $$ there.