I am a bit concerned about getting money from the ATM. What if it doesent work. I talked to my banker and she said it might usually works but sometimes the system in down and it might not work then what would I do?

We had no trouble whatsoever,except in Mykonos where we just tried a different one and it worked. You usually have quite a few choices for ATMs on the islands and tons of choice in Athens. You will need a lot of cash in Greece, especially on the islands, most everyone wants to be paid in cash, it took us a lot of getting used to.

yes, this can happen. It has happened to me once or more in every country I have ever traveled, as I recall. In Austria, my ATM card never worked in an entire week, and in Paris, it has not worked at particular bank's ATMs but will in others, even though both were supposedly on my network. The main problems aren't just with the system being down, although that can happen, but some other cases where it will never work over days or a long time. Also, ATMs can be broken, I have encountered that several times in places where it was the only ATM (like an airport).

I prepare for this in a couple major ways. First, I know many people say it is not necessary, but I always carry several hundred dollars (my native currency) of travelers checks. Whenever an ATM has not worked, I could have cashed them at a currency exchange, if I really needed to. Second, I never never let myself get down to the point where I have no money. This solves most of these problems, as usually I can find an ATM that works in another location that day or perhaps the next day. I always have at least a day or more of spending money on me. You shouldn't really need that much money in a particular day as you can charge large charges and meals to a credit card.

Finally, I haven't done this because I never needed to, but you can get a cash advance on a regular credit card, also. It is very expensive to do that for several reasons, so that would be in an emergency.

Hi trav,

If the ATM machine doesn't work you could

a. Faint
b. Collapse in tears
c. Go to another machine.

Just like Christina said, never let your cash get down to nothing (we don't use travelers checks though, just keep extra euros). And we always have an extra atm card in case one gets eaten up.

Find out when your bank conducts its "overnight processing", then keep in mind the time difference. That's when your transaction will not work because your bank is offline and unable to approve it.

I rely 100% on ATM's and have never had a problem. Then again I try not to use cash and rely heavily on credit cards but a small amount of cash is sometimes necessary. But having said that, you must have a back up plan just in case.

My back up plan

1. I bring US greenbacks, nice new $20 bank notes. Just in case, I can cash a 20, take the loss and that's the cost of the trip. That should work but...

2. You can make a credit card advance inside the bank branch or if it is a debit card you ask for a credit card advance even though in reality it is a withdrawal from your chequing account. Credit card advances are costly but my bank charges no fee (USAA) on its credit cards for advances and only interest. If you immediately re pay the advance, the interest is negligible. You can even re pay the credit card company by using on line banking via an internet cafe.

3. If you have an Amex card, they will cash personal cheques at given intervals for local currency and/or TC's.

So you have to have a back up plan but you know something, you will probably never need it.

Here is my backup plan
try other ATM card from different bank
try different ATM
try different ATM at different time
convert US dollar cash in my money belt
try Credit card cash advance
call my bank and complain

You can also carry a few hundred € or £ in traveler's checks as a backup. If you buy them at the right outlet, you can return them at the end of the trip for what you paid. I believe AAA/Travelex will do this.

If one doesn't work, the next one will.

NEVER assume, esepcially in ITALY, that when one of the machines says you cannot access the account or your card doesn't work, etc., that you cannot use a different machine..ALWAYS try your card in an alternative machine.

As a backup have some local currency with you...get a little before you go to get you to the first ATM.

If an ATM is "down" don't forget that all the local folks are affected just as you are and there are usually others nearby, even in smaller towns.

Keep in mind that if you get off the beaten tourist path and visit very small towns, they might not have an ATM at all.