Money exchange
 

As the money situation has changed so much in Europe and we no longer use travelers checks, are most of you exchanging a few dollars in the US before arriving in Europe and then using an ATM card for acquiring more funds?

Thanks,

Cinzia

some people feel a bit more secure having soem "walking sround money" when they land. So they get a few € either from their bank or at their departure airport. The exchange rate is not good but as long as you don't get too much the loss is small.

But many (maybe most, even) just wait and get cash from an ATM at the arrival airport.

Either way works - me personally, I get cash after I am in Europe.

Use a credit card for major purchases and get cash from ATMs for everything else. There are some inportant things to do BEFORE leaving home to be sure your cards will work in Europe. Here is the URL for a helpful article on changing money: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm.

Be aware of the DCC, Dynamic Currency Conversion, if using your credit card in El Cortes Ingles. It's best to make your purchases in cash, or be prepared to pay an unfavorable exchange rate for this conversion service (scam).

no reason to pay in cash if you'd rather use a credit card - just make sure your charge slip is in the local currency . . . .

If they run it in US$ or Can$ simply request they void it and run it in euro. If they refuse - do not sign the slip - write across it "not offered local currency". Visa will refund any excess charge.

But don't worry about this too much - most places will charge in € . Get in the habit of asking before they run the credit card.

Cinzia, ATM is the way to go. Call your bank before you go to inform them you'll be in Europe to ensure they don't safeguard your card. Second, check on whether you have a daily limit on how much you can withdraw.

We prefer to land with about $100 in the local currency - enough to get us to the hotel, buy a bottle of water, enjoy a cup of coffee, before finding an ATM.

Following an overnight flight, standing in line for passport control, picking up bags, it's nicer (and worth the less favorable exchange rate) not to have to worry whether there will be a long line at the ATM, the ATM will be out of order, or our bank will be offline for overnight processing.

My credit card (Visa) is charged a 3% fee for making foreign currency purchases. I use my ATM (Wells Fargo) as the rate of exchange is the same as I find posted on line.