Comments on: Best way to obtain foreign currency when traveling?

By: ireallycantbelievethat

ireallycantbelievethat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:35:39 +0000

Using an ATM is the easiest way to get cash. You’re going to take a small hit regarding fees and the exchange rate. Having access to your money is worth the fees charged. Just make sure to inform your bank/credit card company that you will be travelling so they don’t think your card was stolen and make it so it doesn’t work. Calling them from Europe can be expensive, and you have to deal with the time difference and banking hours.

All airports and train stations have currency exchange booths, so as you travel from one area with one currency to the next you can change it and not end up bringing it home unspent.

By: jamminjess92

jamminjess92 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:04:23 +0000

Steal it. No JK

But buy something. And get change back

By: mmoonnii

mmoonnii — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:50:56 +0000

You can use visa card in all places in Europe. Buy traveler cheques for Euro $ English Pounds and take only very little cash with you.

By: StevenRichards

StevenRichards — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:49:37 +0000

To keep this short… ATMs… All that I have encountered do not charge you anything, and if your bank doesn’t charge you, then you’re golden.

You could, if you’re close to one, sign up for a HSBC checking account. They are very prevalent over there, and I’m sure would be free to exchange with.

You wont need cash until post-airport. Just buy your train ticket to the inner city, now.

Good luck, I lived in London for 3 months. Greatest city in the world.

By: Unity87

Unity87 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:00:01 +0000

I’ve just come back from another Euro trip and this was easier than any of the previous ones in terms of cash acquisition and exchange. I set up a dedicated debit card checking account at my home bank and advised Customer Service that I intended to use the card for cash withdrawals overseas. They confirmed that I would not be subject to any fees other than the ones normally associated with using non-network ATMs and the usual monthly charges for account management.

We took no currency with us, choosing instead to utilize an ATM upon arrival in London. Throughout the trip, we stuck with NYCE-network ATMs, which meant that we were NOT charged a terminal-use fee every time we withdrew cash, whether Pounds or Euros. Since I took the money from a checking account, there were no credit card fees (or interest rates!) to incur, nor did we have to pay premiums to a foreign currency exchange broker. The cash withdrawn was debited from the account at the current market value, no markup, no percentage, straight dollars-to-pounds exchange, same as making a credit card purchase. If you have the wherewithal to set up a similar arrangement for your upcoming trip – and your bank has “free” checking accounts with debit card services – you stand to save yourself a bundle in terms of fees and interest rates. I heartily recommend it! Good luck and enjoy your trip!

By: MetroGirl

MetroGirl — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:08:45 +0000

There are a few places. Do you have an AmEx? If so, depending on your AmEx card the fees are waived/reduced. I get money from my local bank. They charge me a flat fee, which is a few dollars (don’t have to worry about changing money as soon as you get there … have some time, etc.). I usually go over with a few hundred. Once I’m there, I use ATM for the rest.

I would be careful with Capital 1. There are 2 different types of fees … most cards charge a % on your purcahses overseas and then there is your interests and fees for taking cash out. I think AmEx and Citi charge 2%. Although, I have found that even with their fees, their exchange rates are better than what is published at the airport and on currency exchage wepbages.

In most of the places you mentioned, credit cards are saver than cash and getting back money from the waiter. I recently had that experience (but in a country you didnt mention).