Need a few Euros before I leave. Where do I go?
 

I live in Los Angeles and want to pick up a few Euros before I leave for Europe. Where is the best place to exchange? Without doing it at the airport before I get on the plane.

Thanks,
Lisa

Here in SE Fla. we have currency exchanges at some of the shopping malls, rates aren't too bad.

My bank gets them for me in 24 hours. (PNC)

Hi lisa,

What is wrong with getting Euro at the airport? It won't cost you more than a dollar or two extra and has to be more conveninet than looking for a bank.

I always get some at American Express in a neighboring town. Then I get the rest, as needed, once I'm at my destination.

I always get a few at the bank (wells fargo) they don't charge me a service fee but it takes 48 hours to get them.

If you want to waste your time at home you can.Not necessary.

You can also order some Euros online at Oanda.com, and usually they Fed-Ex them to you.

BC

Until last year I used to get about $50 worth the local currency of the country I was visiting before leaving home. Then one day I realized that this is a complete waste of time and money. All airports in Europe have ATM's you can use just after you get off the plane. The ATM takes just a minute of your time and it offers a better exchange rate with lower fees. It's really not necessary to get euros before leaving home.

P M...

You will get such brilliant statements such as, "What if the ATM is down?" or "Who wants to be bothered after an all night flight?" (Like if the ATM's are down, they can't hit the currency exchange and change a small amount. or like they're not going to have to queue at immigration or wait for their baggage.

Actually in many cases, you don't need local currency upon arrival as public transportation almost everywhere in the world now takes cc's but what the hell...it's their own money they're throwing away for "security."

Boxinglisa, the Bof A in Beverly Hills has euro on hand (call first to make sure for any given day) and so do the American Express offices in LA, take cash or an American Express card.

Only use the airport for small amounts < $50. They will charge a service fee AND a bad rate of exchange, which is a different experience than ira had.

You should carry enough euro so that once you arrive you can take a train/taxi to your hotel. From there, you can locate an ATM.

I get mine in the Beverly Hills branch of American Express on Beverly Drive. It's also open on Saturdays.

I can only laugh at these gloom and doomers who seem to consider getting a few euro stateside as the dumbest act since the beginning of time.
So a person spends a few extra dollars for piece of mind. So what?

I'd start by calling your own bank 1st.

Here in Seattle two of the downtown Bank of America branches have foreign currency on hand. Other options are American Express, AAA (auto club), etc.

Foreign currency exchange businesses such as Thomas Cook are another way (more expensive fees but will get the job done).

I've got to think in Los Angeles you could easily find one of these options available.

I have not done it, but as posted above, have heard you can order Euro online and have it sent to you.

What do you mean "peace of mind"?If you want to waste your time it's o.k. but it's nonsense.

I'd recommend changing at the airport when you ARRIVE at a bureau de change. They seem to have good commission rates (with some it gets lower and lower the more you change.)

The worst case scenario is that you are forced to use an ATM when you land, but that's not likely if you're going to a major airport in Europe.

It it less costly to do it there, you don't have to pay bank fees if they apply, and you don't have to wait around to get the currency (where I live, it takes two weeks to get foreign currency ordered from Los Angeles!)

I order a couple hundred in Euros from my bank before we leave. I need to do this a few months in advance, but we live in a small town.

Best,
Sandy

Sheesh, can't some of you just say "you can get euro at an atm upon arrival for less than getting it in advance; but if you WANT to get some in advance and don't mind paying more for it, then get it at(name of bank) or (name of agency) or (xyz)."

That would explain the difference and be so much nicer than "you are a stupid xxxxx for wanting to get euro in advance."

Personally, some people 'waste' money on their hotel choices but it's their money and their choice how to spend it for their comfort, and yes, "peace of mind".

I don't see anything wrong with either getting a few Euros before leaving home or waiting til you arrive at the airport. Whatever floats your boat :)

I know I have asked my folks to get 100 EUROS each before leaving the US. In our situation Limoservicerome.com rates are for CASH only. And based on my family history, anything that can go wrong, might. I just don't want to take the chance that the ATM at the airport might not be working or out of cash. These instances happen all the time with the BOA ATM in the mall in which I work. (Thank goodness the chinese restaurant that KNOWS me well will take my checks when this happens. ;) )

I remember arriving in Israel when I was a teen, did not speak the language, had no Israeli money on me, the exchange places were not open and I had to rely on the kindness of strangers. Would not want to go through that again.