Where to get Euros before trip

[Anonymous]

I’m traveling to Spain in a couple of weeks and was wondering where you get Euros. I typically get a few hundreds from my credit union but wanted to compare with other places.

[Anonymous]

Dulles, union station, there’s a place on K Street. I think maybe Potomac Mills.

[Anonymous]

From ATM after arrival. At airport if ATM doesn't charge a fee. If it does, use ATM at a bank in the city, they normally don't charge additional fees in Europe (although you may pay a fee from your bank).

[Anonymous]

Our banks- PNC and Bank of America, has them. It usually takes a couple days, but that’s what we usually do.

[Anonymous]

Airport ATM, why would you buy euros in the US - the exchange rate always sucks.

[Anonymous]

At the airport ATM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From ATM after arrival. At airport if ATM doesn't charge a fee. If it does, use ATM at a bank in the city, they normally don't charge additional fees in Europe (although you may pay a fee from your bank).

Make sure you reject conversion, and take the local currency. Otherwise the bank will charge you 10% extra to convert your withdraw to USD.

[Anonymous]

You really don't need cash in Europe, other than tipping the hotel staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From ATM after arrival. At airport if ATM doesn't charge a fee. If it does, use ATM at a bank in the city, they normally don't charge additional fees in Europe (although you may pay a fee from your bank).

Make sure you reject conversion, and take the local currency. Otherwise the bank will charge you 10% extra to convert your withdraw to USD.

Yes always run the transaction in local currency. But the DC bullshit conversion fee isn't quite 10% it's more like 4-5%. Still an awful scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From ATM after arrival. At airport if ATM doesn't charge a fee. If it does, use ATM at a bank in the city, they normally don't charge additional fees in Europe (although you may pay a fee from your bank).

Make sure you reject conversion, and take the local currency. Otherwise the bank will charge you 10% extra to convert your withdraw to USD.

Yes always run the transaction in local currency. But the DC bullshit conversion fee isn't quite 10% it's more like 4-5%. Still an awful scam.

Sorry, DCC fee.

https://onemileatatime.com/guides/dynamic-currency-conversion/

[Anonymous]

Piling on to agree with PPs - always convert at an ATM at your destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From ATM after arrival. At airport if ATM doesn't charge a fee. If it does, use ATM at a bank in the city, they normally don't charge additional fees in Europe (although you may pay a fee from your bank).

Make sure you reject conversion, and take the local currency. Otherwise the bank will charge you 10% extra to convert your withdraw to USD.

Yes always run the transaction in local currency. But the DC bullshit conversion fee isn't quite 10% it's more like 4-5%. Still an awful scam.

The 10% extra is just the local bank's bad exchange rate, not including any fee. I noticed that the exchange rate was too high when we took cash out, and learned that we need to reject the conversion. The ATM even gives you the option, but a lot of people don't realize it till they get burned.

[Anonymous]

The foreign exchange counter at Dulles is often closed so better to get the Euros before you leave.

ATM at the destination is easier and prevents you from carrying large amount of cash. There was one time my ATM card didn’t work in Europe. Not sure why because I had called my bank ahead of time to confirm that my card would work. Fortunately there was a Citibank branch and I was able to get cash from my credit card.

[Anonymous]

AAA

[Anonymous]

Just got back from Europe and never used actual euros, only credit card. Lots of places only took cards.