money exchange

[bdbj2512]

does anyone have any advice for when to exchange our money. did you do it before you left for europe. or was it easier to do it there? thanks for the help.

[cberge]

does anyone have any advice for when to exchange our money. did you do it before you left for europe. or was it easier to do it there? thanks for the help.

There is a TON of info on this board re money exchange...most of the advice you will find is use an ATM when you arrive..make sure 4 # pin and alert your bank etc.No Traveler's checks in any form,and if you want Euro before you go ask at your bank to what they offer and be prepared for higher rates etc. Use a CC where you can for buying things and again let your bank know etc. If you have the time check back through the pages here and you will find a lot of info.

[eh2zed]

We take some Euros with us to get started and then ATM after that although we use CC as much as possible.

[Keith1010]

We exchange it in Europe and use an ATM machine over there. Some people will get some Euros before they travel but it really is a personal preference and sometimes just comes down to logistics.

 

Keith

[thinfool]

does anyone have any advice for when to exchange our money. did you do it before you left for europe. or was it easier to do it there? thanks for the help.

 

We were in the Med in October on the Carnival Splendor. Frankly I was appalled at the very long lines waiting to exchange USD for Euros onboard the ship. The cruise line gets a hefty premium for the service, but they are very willing to oblige.

 

However, as others have noted, the most cost-effective method for the average traveler to exchange currency is with an ATM card. Our flight connected thru Amsterdam, so we made a 2 minute stop at an ATM in the Amsterdam airport, got 500 euros and went on our merry way to our next stop.

 

ATM's are plentiful all over Europe. Probably more so than in the US. Just use good judgement and find one that is connected to a bank rather than a free-standing machine like you might find in a convenient store in the US.

 

If you plan to buy souvenirs or make other purchases in countries like Italy, where haggling is expected, you will get your best prices if you are using local currency. (at least that was our experience)

[CintiPam]

ATM's are the way to go. Quick and easy and the best exchange rates. If you are a good customer of your local bank, it will not charge you any fees.

[RachelG]

My husband doesn't like ATM's, but with our account with Bank of America, they will exchange money here with no fee and a very favorable rate. So we always get our money from the bank before we go. You can order online then pick it up at your local branch.

[chipmaster]

My husband doesn't like ATM's, but with our account with Bank of America, they will exchange money here with no fee and a very favorable rate. So we always get our money from the bank before we go. You can order online then pick it up at your local branch.

 

Do double check the fine print, as last I checked BofA does have a surcharge. As others have noted ATMs have the very best rate but do come with the inconvenience of actually going to find one when in port.

[RachelG]

Do double check the fine print, as last I checked BofA does have a surcharge. As others have noted ATMs have the very best rate but do come with the inconvenience of actually going to find one when in port.

It is only wiith a certain type of account that you don't have the surcharge. You definitely have to have the right account.

[tada]

If you have any foreign money left over, exchange it at your local bank back in the states, or at a foreign money exchange back at a US airport. At Heathrow, if you want to exchange money, they must first convert the Euros to British Pound Sterling (and add a fee), the from Pounds to US Dollars (and add another fee). Pay the fee once back in the States, or no fee if your bank exchanges for free.

[CintiPam]

If you have any foreign money left over, exchange it at your local bank back in the states, or at a foreign money exchange back at a US airport. At Heathrow, if you want to exchange money, they must first convert the Euros to British Pound Sterling (and add a fee), the from Pounds to US Dollars (and add another fee). Pay the fee once back in the States, or no fee if your bank exchanges for free.

 

Better idea: spend it all on the last day!:D

[tada]

Better idea: spend it all on the last day!:D

 

I totally agree. We spend every Pound we had, but still had some Euros left.