Currency Exchange

[Maineiak]

For Americans traveling to Europe, what have you done for currency exchanges in advance, if any?

We'll be staying in London, then Paris before DLP. Just wondering if I should try to get cash domestically from my local bank first or just use ATMs if cash is needed in Europe.

Thoughts?

 

[jeanigor]

We did two weeks in Barcelona & Paris with DLP in the middle. I had some exchanged stateside (at a hefty surcharge) so that I could have some euro bills on hand upon landing. Once there, I used bank ATM's (not the free standing kind). The ATM surcharge (not always applicable) and daily exchange rate were far lower than the surcharge from the exchange bureau at home.

 

[iivye]

We are doing two weeks in Europe this summer. We are using PNC Bank to order currency prior to the trip (no transaction fee) and are using a debit card (also PNC with no fees). I suggest doing some research on your ATM debit cards because it is common for banks to charge a 3% foreign transaction fee when you withdrawal money from foreign ATMs. When we were in London a couple of years ago we mostly just used a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, I really don't remember using cash very often.

 

[olafLover]

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[dolewhipdreams]

I'm from the US and I also don't get anything in advance. I use my debit card at an ATM in the airport to get a small amount to have on hand at first, then find a bank ATM to get more later on. But I also usually use credit over cash. Cash for me is really only helpful for tipping (since most places don't allow you to add a tip to a charge) or paying for small items.