Currency exchange

[wvjules]

Do you exchange your currency before you leave the US or when you get to your destination?

I think I will need Norwegian Kronor (Norway), Danish Krone (Denmark), Finnish Marka (Finland) and Swedish Krona (Sweden).

 

[golfgal]

It depends on where I can get the best exchange rate. Generally no, I don't exchange money before I go except for maybe $20 or $30 dollars. The US dollar is accepted most everywhere if you really need it but otherwise why carry around all that cash when you don't need to.

 

[wvjules]

It depends on where I can get the best exchange rate. Generally no, I don't exchange money before I go except for maybe $20 or $30 dollars. The US dollar is accepted most everywhere if you really need it but otherwise why carry around all that cash when you don't need to.

I don't want to carry around much cash either but I do want to have atleast a little on hand.

I will use a Capital One credit card for most things since they don't have a foreign transaction fee.

 

[golfgal]

Most international airports will have somewhere to exchange money. The exchange rate there isn't usually the best but if you just need some for a cab ride or a bite to eat when you arrive that will be fine. Depending on where you are staying, most nicer, 3* and above, hotels will either exchange money for you or have a list of banks in the area and the current exchange rate. It is easy to do in most countries so don't worry about getting it done once you are there. Check with your home bank about ATM fees too. When DS17 went to China we had him use his debit card to get money--there were no fees on that for us. He called the bank before he went to let them know he was going to be in China though. I would make sure you call Chase before you go to let them know too.

 

[akcire]

Do you exchange your currency before you leave the US or when you get to your destination?

I think I will need Norwegian Kronor (Norway), Danish Krone (Denmark), Finnish Marka (Finland) and Swedish Krona (Sweden).

To get Crowns and Marka in country you can use an ATM in these countries, there is an option on the ATM machine to use English. If you use a large bank, you may not have any fees with a cooperating bank. Additionally if you bank with Citibank they have a World Wide Wallet program where they will deliver any world currency with a two day notice, it is particularly advantageous if you are a Citbank Gold customer.

A previous poster stated that USD are accepted, and that is only true of hotels and stores such as jewelry stores (which will charge you a tremendous exchange fee). A small shop, taxi, train station, or food stand will not accept US dollars.

Alert you credit card company of your trip so you don't get shut off while country hopping.

I travel in these countries often and have limited amounts of cash on hand. I normally bring $100-200 USD just in case, use my credit card for nearly everything, and get cash from an ATM (in country) based on my amount of time spent in the country. Keep in mind border towns will take both countries currency--and if you are doing any driving the tolls can be paid in many currencies.

 

[Pakey]

We just a little bit, enough to get us out of the airport. It's so much easier to use our credit cards or ATM's when traveling.

 

[Carl]

I don't want to carry around much cash either but I do want to have atleast a little on hand.

I will use a Capital One credit card for most things since they don't have a foreign transaction fee.

Are you sure about that? I thought that ALL credit cards now charged an exchange fee.

 

[Carl]

I always get some of the currencies from my bank before traveling. I don't want to have to waste time looking for banks in the foreign countries and the exchange rates at the airport are ridiculous. (Maybe 20% higher.)

 

[FireDancer]

I get mine ahead of time from a friend who works at Chase. He can buy at the sell rate so I end up saving quite a bit that way.

 

[wvjules]

Are you sure about that? I thought that ALL credit cards now charged an exchange fee.

Positive about that.


Thanks everyone!

akcire, you have been very helpful. Thank you!

We have decided to do this. We won't have a lot of time in each city but we will get the highlights. DBF is really excited about Bergen so we might add a day at the end (plus the 2 days in Copenhagen at the beginning). I was hoping for a whale watching cruise but I don't think that will happen.

We are getting so excited! I'll be coming to you for more questions I'm sure.

 

[FireDancer]

I would love to go to the fjord Norway area. Biking, hiking, and kayaking the fjords are one of the things I have on my bucket list. If you have any extra time try to make it to Alesund.