do the cab drivers at the Barcelona Airport take credit cards?

[Lydia B.]

since I don't take taxis in my own home town this night not seem like such a stupid question. Just wanted to know that when we got off the airplane and grab a taxi to our hotel with a cab drivers take major credit cards? new line thank you so much lydia of Ohio

[RollieUK]

Some do but the majority do not.

 

If you want to pay by card you need to tell the dispatcher who allocates people to cabs. There may be one available or you may have to wait a while - impossible to say.

 

Why not draw cash at the ATM in the airport terminal. You will probably need some cash while you are in Barcelona for bits and pieces anyway.

[Clarea]

Some do but the majority do not.

 

If you want to pay by card you need to tell the dispatcher who allocates people to cabs. There may be one available or you may have to wait a while - impossible to say.

 

Why not draw cash at the ATM in the airport terminal. You will probably need some cash while you are in Barcelona for bits and pieces anyway.

We did exactly as you suggest, ATM at the airport. Very easy. There are a couple as you exit the baggage area.

[badtwin]

Two suggestions

 

You might want to try to get some Euro in the states before you go. In two trips to Europe, the ATM fee at this airport was the worst. Not terrible but there were none with banks that had a reciprocal agreement with our home bank for lower fees.

 

Second, go to the official taxi area, get a licensed cab and agree to the fee before you get in. On a recent trip, we arrived exhausted and someone came up to us and offered a ride we assumed was a cab. I put my foot down when he started leading us away from the taxi area. Saved us money as well as worry.

 

Enjoy Barcelona - a real delight.

Edited January 14, 2014 by badtwin
corrrection

[Hlitner]

Two suggestions

 

You might want to try to get some Euro in the states before you go. In two trips to Europe, the ATM fee at this airport was the worst. Not terrible but there were none with banks that had a reciprocal agreement with our home bank for lower fees.

 

Second, go to the official taxi area, get a licensed cab and agree to the fee before you get in. On a recent trip, we arrived exhausted and someone came up to us and offered a ride we assumed was a cab. I put my foot down when he started leading us away from the taxi area. Saved us money as well as worry.

 

Enjoy Barcelona - a real delight.

 

The problem is with your own bank, not with the European ATMs. Most European ATMs do not charge any fees (or they have low fees). Transactions for those in the USA are normally expedited by Visa International which only builds in a 1% fee (deducted from the wholesale rate of exchange). All the other fees are assessed by the users bank (your own bank). Since we do a lot of international travel we prefer to use a US credit union who assesses zero fees on International Transactions. The simple solution to your fee issue is to find a local bank that is not "fee crazy" like many large US banks. Although some large US banks offer no-fee or low fee deals if you use certain European banks, we have found that its a lot easier to simply use a US Bank/Credit Union that does not charge any fees with any banks :)

 

As to taxis in Barcelona, they are required (by local law) to use their meters. Some might try to con a traveler into a higher fixed fee and not run the meter, and they would be violating the law. Simply get in a taxi at the airport and make sure they use the meter (and it has been reset). If you want to have an exact pre-arranged fare it is best to arrange for a transfer from a local service (you can do this online). A taxi transfer will cost about 35 Euros (total cost for the taxi) and unless they have changed the rules the drivers are permitted to assess a small extra fee for excess luggage (this is added to the meter via a button that the driver presses).

 

Regarding using a credit card to pay for a taxi in Barcelona, like many other places in Europe the answer is maybe yes and maybe no. Even taxis that are authorized to accept credit cards would prefer cash and we have often encountered drivers who simply refuse credit cards or want an extra fee (not sure this is legal) to take a credit card. And there is also the issue that some taxis that do accept credit cards will not be able to process a US issued card because they do not have the EMV Chip/PIN system used in most of the world outside the USA.

 

Hank

Edited January 15, 2014 by Hlitner

[Clarea]

The problem is with your own bank, not with the European ATMs. Most European ATMs do not charge any fees (or they have low fees). Transactions for those in the USA are normally expedited by Visa International which only builds in a 1% fee (deducted from the wholesale rate of exchange). All the other fees are assessed by the users bank (your own bank). Since we do a lot of international travel we prefer to use a US credit union who assesses zero fees on International Transactions. The simple solution to your fee issue is to find a local bank that is not "fee crazy" like many large US banks. Although some large US banks offer no-fee or low fee deals if you use certain European banks, we have found that its a lot easier to simply use a US Bank/Credit Union that does not charge any fees with any banks :)...

Good info.

 

We use a Capital One Mastercard/Debit. No foreign transaction fees and ATM fees are reimbursed up to $30 per month.

[Hlitner]

Getting a bit off topic, but extensive foreign travel requires some good strategies when it comes to handling finances. Travelers Checks have become nearly obsolete and it can be very difficult to get them cashed anywhere in Europe....especially if you are not staying at a large hotel. The primary method for getting cash (for nearly everyone) are ATMs, which are located darn near everywhere in Europe. The way ATMs work is that the exchange rate is based on the current wholesale rate of exchange with generally a 1% fee discounted (from the exchange rate) by the expeditor who is generally Visa International (this is all done in the background so you do not see any evidence). Frequent travelers have generally discovered that there are financial institutions that levy zero fees on ATM transactions (we ourselves have 2 different ATM cards from banks with zero fees).

 

The major downside of ATMs are the daily limits which are imposed by both the users own bank and also the European ATM banks/exchanges. The limits are often in the range of 300-500 Euros which is the max you can get off that particular ATM card in a 24 hour period. Trying to use that ATM card at different ATM machines will not generally get you anymore money since nearly all European ATMs are linked via the network.

 

So, what do frequent travelers (especially those of us who take long trips) do? We get multiple ATM cards drawn on different accounts at different banks. This is, honestly, a royal pain in the behind, but it is the only way to be able to routinely beat the daily max problem and also have a good backup in case something goes wrong with an ATM card (it can get eaten, get lost, stolen, etc).

 

The situation with credit cards is also interesting. Most US credit cards charge a fee for foreign transactions ranging from about 2.5% - 3.5%. For example, all the AMEX cards (except for the expensive Platinum Card) assess a 2.7% fee on every charge and it is disclosed on your statement as a "foreign exchange fee." But some US cards charge zero fees...and the Master Card issued by CapitalOne (no annual fees) has become almost legendary among frequent travelers for its zero fees. Another option is the Global Trek Visa issued by Andrews Federal Credit Union which is no only free of fees...but just happens to be one of very rare US issued EMV Chip/PIN cards that will work nearly everywhere in Europe (and the world) where normal magnetic strip US issued cards will fail. So much for my quick primer :)

 

Hank

[Clarea]

Getting a bit off topic, but extensive foreign travel requires some good strategies when it comes to handling finances. Travelers Checks have become nearly obsolete and it can be very difficult to get them cashed anywhere in Europe....especially if you are not staying at a large hotel. The primary method for getting cash (for nearly everyone) are ATMs, which are located darn near everywhere in Europe. The way ATMs work is that the exchange rate is based on the current wholesale rate of exchange with generally a 1% fee discounted (from the exchange rate) by the expeditor who is generally Visa International (this is all done in the background so you do not see any evidence). Frequent travelers have generally discovered that there are financial institutions that levy zero fees on ATM transactions (we ourselves have 2 different ATM cards from banks with zero fees).

 

The major downside of ATMs are the daily limits which are imposed by both the users own bank and also the European ATM banks/exchanges. The limits are often in the range of 300-500 Euros which is the max you can get off that particular ATM card in a 24 hour period. Trying to use that ATM card at different ATM machines will not generally get you anymore money since nearly all European ATMs are linked via the network.

 

So, what do frequent travelers (especially those of us who take long trips) do? We get multiple ATM cards drawn on different accounts at different banks. This is, honestly, a royal pain in the behind, but it is the only way to be able to routinely beat the daily max problem and also have a good backup in case something goes wrong with an ATM card (it can get eaten, get lost, stolen, etc).

 

The situation with credit cards is also interesting. Most US credit cards charge a fee for foreign transactions ranging from about 2.5% - 3.5%. For example, all the AMEX cards (except for the expensive Platinum Card) assess a 2.7% fee on every charge and it is disclosed on your statement as a "foreign exchange fee." But some US cards charge zero fees...and the Master Card issued by CapitalOne (no annual fees) has become almost legendary among frequent travelers for its zero fees. Another option is the Global Trek Visa issued by Andrews Federal Credit Union which is no only free of fees...but just happens to be one of very rare US issued EMV Chip/PIN cards that will work nearly everywhere in Europe (and the world) where normal magnetic strip US issued cards will fail. So much for my quick primer :)

 

Hank

More excellent info, thanks!

 

We also have a Capital One credit card, unfortunately they don't have chip/pin version yet.

[badtwin]

The problem is with your own bank, not with the European ATMs. Most European ATMs do not charge any fees (or they have low fees). Transactions for those in the USA are normally expedited by Visa International which only builds in a 1% fee (deducted from the wholesale rate of exchange). All the other fees are assessed by the users bank (your own bank). Since we do a lot of international travel we prefer to use a US credit union who assesses zero fees on International Transactions. The simple solution to your fee issue is to find a local bank that is not "fee crazy" like many large US banks. Although some large US banks offer no-fee or low fee deals if you use certain European banks, we have found that its a lot easier to simply use a US Bank/Credit Union that does not charge any fees with any banks :)

 

As to taxis in Barcelona, they are required (by local law) to use their meters. Some might try to con a traveler into a higher fixed fee and not run the meter, and they would be violating the law. Simply get in a taxi at the airport and make sure they use the meter (and it has been reset). If you want to have an exact pre-arranged fare it is best to arrange for a transfer from a local service (you can do this online). A taxi transfer will cost about 35 Euros (total cost for the taxi) and unless they have changed the rules the drivers are permitted to assess a small extra fee for excess luggage (this is added to the meter via a button that the driver presses).

 

Regarding using a credit card to pay for a taxi in Barcelona, like many other places in Europe the answer is maybe yes and maybe no. Even taxis that are authorized to accept credit cards would prefer cash and we have often encountered drivers who simply refuse credit cards or want an extra fee (not sure this is legal) to take a credit card. And there is also the issue that some taxis that do accept credit cards will not be able to process a US issued card because they do not have the EMV Chip/PIN system used in most of the world outside the USA.

 

Hank

 

 

I know issue was our bank. My point was that if you wait to get to the airport, selection of ATM is somewhat limited and we had no choice. If you do not travel a lot, it doesn't really make sense to get special cards and you try to do the best with what you have.

 

Most of our taxi experiences in Barcelona were fine. But at the airport (as at airports all over - not picking on Barcelona) there are those who aren't licensed trying to get you to go with them - just be sure to go to the taxi area. And on our return, we assumed we would be charged the same as into town and were hit with some probably illegal overcharges but at 6 a.m. had little choice but to pay up so we could make our plane. Better to ask before the ride.

[pris993]

We have been traveling for years. Never use ATMs at home or while traveling.

 

We take cash, US and euros - plus our credit cards. Use credit cards in major hotels only, take cards in case of emergency.

 

If I did not have euros upon arrival, would go to my hotel and exchange some money to pay the taxi. Major hotels can exchange money for you if necessary til you can get to local bank or exchange service.

[Hlitner]

We have been traveling for years. Never use ATMs at home or while traveling.

 

We take cash, US and euros - plus our credit cards. Use credit cards in major hotels only, take cards in case of emergency.

 

If I did not have euros upon arrival, would go to my hotel and exchange some money to pay the taxi. Major hotels can exchange money for you if necessary til you can get to local bank or exchange service.

 

You are absolutely correct that it is not too difficult to exchange cash (especially US dollars). On the other hand, if you were going to Europe for 2 months and expected to spend about $20,000 would you carry that much cash? Actually, if you were to carry more then $10,000 in cash it would subject you to additional scrutiny by the authorities ...but that is another issue. You may soon discover that your USA issued magnetic strip credit card is not going to be accepted all over Europe. We have run into the problem at several countries...although it has never been an issue at major hotel chains. But many travelers (including moi) avoid major hotel chains like the plague...since we prefer the smaller European hotels and inns. And we will not even begin to talk about issues related to rental cars and credit cards. But as a primer, folks may quickly find that a credit card with a $10,000 credit limit is barely high enough to cover even a single rental car transaction. So here is our message...times are a changing and folks need to change with the times :)

 

Are these going to be problems for the typical traveler who spends 1 or 2 weeks in Europe? Probably not as long as they have sufficient cash. But even though we have about forty years of extensive international travel experience, it was a real surprise to arrive at a very high end Belgium Inn only to be told that our US Credit cards could not be accepted because they lacked the necessary EMV Chip. And then we were really surprised in Norway to see that many banks now have signs that say they will no longer exchange currency or accept Travelers Checks. This was the first time we had ever see resistance to exchanging cash...and we are still puzzled as to the cause. Cash exchange was still no problem at the cashiers office of the local tourist office, but they were giving awful exchange rates.

 

And then there was the train station in Rotterdam where they told us that the only train station in Holland that could accept non-EMV Chip Pin credit cards was located in Amsterdam (no help). If one did not have enough cash or a working ATM card...one would have been literally stuck in Rotterdam (not our favorite city).

 

Hank

P.S. The latest hacking of more then 70 million US issued magnetic strip credit cards is likely to cause a lot more resistance to the acceptance of these antiques in Europe.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Hlitner

[Crusin6]

Bring a couple of hundred euro with you from home. So much easier.

[travelwelt]

Many cab drivers accept credit cards but to make sure that everything goes easy and as you wish you can already book a cap in advance. You can contact http://taxibarcelonatransfer.com, they sepak English, take credit cards and contacting them by e-mail you can arrange a pick up with a signboard at the cruise terminal, so you also don't need to wait at large queues at the taxi stop, you can wait for hours there until you get a taxi a the cruise port if you don't prebook one. They also inform you in advance of the tariff and you can also arrange nice day trip tours.