I admit it; I'm currency challenged :)
 

How do I get some Euro currency in the States to cover the small amount I need when I first get off the plane for things like taxis, tips, etc? Are there exchange offices at the airports on both sides of the ocean?

P.S. I posted this question before and now it's disappeared; this has happened to a few of my posts. Anyone know what I could be doing wrong? I've tried the search function and the posts aren't showing anywhere.

it's currently at #13

Get a small amount at your departure airport. Try AAA or American Express offices. Get it from an ATM when you arrive at the airport in Europe.

Try your local bank in the states. I've been able to easily order British pounds from my local bank (or one of the larger branches of my bank) before I've left on my trips. I've had friends who've done the same thing with Euros. Just be sure to order several weeks or a month before you leave so you'll have the money in plenty of time. This is much easier than having to worry about switching currency in an airport.

I am leaving sooon for my trip. Yesterday, I went to a commercial bank and was told I have to exchange a least 100 American into Euro. It was suggested on the forum, I use an ATM at the airport. However, I am uncertain what the foreign bank transaction fees are. Hope this info helps.

No foreign bank will charge you a fee or a single penny for using their ATM. Your own bank may or may not impose a fee for using a foreign ATM to withdraw money from your own checking account. That fee may be as little as 50 cents per transaction or according to some people quoting their experience with their own banks as much as 3 percent of the amount of the withdrawal. I bank at Bank of America, and have done dozens and dozens of ATM withdrawals all over Europe -- the most B of A has ever charged me was $1.50. Most times they charge me nothing at all.

Patrick, how did you manage the $1.50 fee from the BofA? It's my bank too, and they charge me $3 per foreign bank ATM withdrawal.

I have found that exchange rates, especially to buy foreign currency in the US, is a gyp. I think it is because many banks do not change much money so they charge a high fee or poor rate. Every large European airport has a bank that you can change money. Their fees are lower than in the US. You can also use ATM machine as other people suggests.

In San Francisco at least, independent foreign currency exchanges, particularly the one on Cyril Magnin Way, have offered better exchange rates than the banks.

Bank of America is part of an ATM alliance along Barclays in the UK, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and Westpac in Australia. Your bank should waive the international ATM fee if you use an ATM belonging to any of the member banks. I imagine that there are similar arrangements among other banks.

To find your own posts, click on your own name - - on a thread, or in the upperleft hand corner above the list of threads (left hand side of your screen).

Best wishes,

Rex

Bringing your message back "up to the top", since you seem to visit around noon.

The answer to your question depends on your priorities.

From exchange rate point of view alone, it is best to use the ATM at the destination. BUT this assumes that the ATM is usable at the airport. I had my share of broken ATM, ATM not able to communicate with my bank, too tired to want to wait at the long line at ATM, as well as someone reading a paper standing uncomfortably close to the machine.

Manned cash exchange windows are not always open all the time at the terminal you are arriving if your plane is late. It may be available at "other" terminal.

I usually get 100EU at the departing airport in the US unless I happen to be in downtown to be able to stop by at one bank who carries foreign currencies at slightly better rate than the airport. I get hit with about $6 additional charge than if I were to use the ATM at the destination. But this $6 protects me from having to spend time looking for a way to get a local currency if the ATM is not usable at the airport.

I routinely get the minimum in euros from my branch of BofA before leaving for Europe. Yes, I pay about 4% more for it than I would if I got the same amount from an ATM in Europe, but I want the convenience of not having to hunt for an ATM immediately after arrival. (As an aside, if I were arriving in Munich, I would view the situation differently, but for the last few years I have arrived in Paris at CDG. Anything I can do to simplify my arrival at CDG is a desired activity.)

After I am in Europe, I rely on my ATM plastic and pay what I must in ATM fees charged by my home bank.

I find that if I have acquired the minimum of $100 US in euro form, it does not last long in Europe. Right now I think $100 US would only buy me about 87 e. The exchange rate today is $1.10 US (when I checked)for 1 euro. So after I pay the surcharge, which is reflected in the exchange rate, I am paying about $1.15. (1/1.15 = .869 euro per dollar x 100 = 87 e)
Believe me, 87 euro will just about cover cab fare from most major airports to the city center with the price of lunch left over. I just about have enough to last until I can find an ATM so I can replenish your supply.

I figure right now that this year's trip will cost me 20% more than last year's excursion. Of course I am not going to the same places, so to some extent I am comparing apples with oranges. Regardless, on an absolute basis, airfare is more expensive, and the dollar versus the euro is weaker. So I am figuring expenses at anywhere from $800 to $1,000 more for this September.