Where to get Euros before trip

[Anonymous]

+1 to the fact that Spain is mostly cashless. You definitely won't need more than 100, tops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this discussion because we are curious too.

We generally always pay with credit card while traveling (Capital One has a nice no foreign transaction fee).

But I always like to travel with some cash in case we arrive and cards don’t work, etc and cash can get us a cab and a hotel to get settled.

So if you want to convert some currency before traveling what is best option:

1) local bank or credit union in US
2) Tyson’s currency exchange at mall
3) Airport currency exchange stateside
4) airport currency exchange in foreign country

On a side not we have a bit of left over currency what is the best way to convert to USD?

I always order about $200 from my bank before traveling. The exchange rate is good, there aren't any extra fees, and they mail it to my house. While it's not hard to get cash from an ATM, this is even easier. Like a PP mentioned, I use it for small purchases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this discussion because we are curious too.

We generally always pay with credit card while traveling (Capital One has a nice no foreign transaction fee).

But I always like to travel with some cash in case we arrive and cards don’t work, etc and cash can get us a cab and a hotel to get settled.

So if you want to convert some currency before traveling what is best option:

1) local bank or credit union in US
2) Tyson’s currency exchange at mall
3) Airport currency exchange stateside
4) airport currency exchange in foreign country

On a side not we have a bit of left over currency what is the best way to convert to USD?

I always order about $200 from my bank before traveling. The exchange rate is good, there aren't any extra fees, and they mail it to my house. While it's not hard to get cash from an ATM, this is even easier. Like a PP mentioned, I use it for small purchases.

We use TD bank but they had a 7.50 fee. Which banks don’t have a fee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAA

+1

[Anonymous]

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

how did you handle tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Is this true in every country? Pre-COVID I remember needing to have cash in Amsterdam and Berlin because not everywhere would accept American credit cards. I have been back to Germany since COVID and was able to use my card nearly everwhere, so maybe this is no longer a thing. I think I still experienced needing a card with a PIN to make a purchase from a train vending machine, but that was about it.

It’s true now. I have been to Amsterdam twice without ever using or seeing cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

how did you handle tips?

Tips to whom? I was in a country where tipping isn’t usual so I didn’t.

[Anonymous]

I was recently in italy and we needed euros for tips as well as house deposit. got them from the bank before leaving. it took about 24 hours.

[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).

This, but do not use Euronet ATMs which are everywhere, as well as Travelex, Your Cash, Cardpoint, and Cashzone (will charge you an arm and a leg in transaction rates + bad exchange rates). Look for ATMs connected to an actual bank, and always choose to pay in local currency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reviving this discussion because we are curious too.

We generally always pay with credit card while traveling (Capital One has a nice no foreign transaction fee).

But I always like to travel with some cash in case we arrive and cards don’t work, etc and cash can get us a cab and a hotel to get settled.

So if you want to convert some currency before traveling what is best option:

1) local bank or credit union in US
2) Tyson’s currency exchange at mall
3) Airport currency exchange stateside
4) airport currency exchange in foreign country

On a side not we have a bit of left over currency what is the best way to convert to USD?

Give it to someone who is going to EU.

[Anonymous]

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

^ During all of my recent trips - I got Euros out upon arrival. I came home with most of it - street vendors, tipping etc might use euros - everything else is tap and go with a card. I wouldn't stress over getting Euros before you go - in fact I would question even getting any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

how did you handle tips?

Tips to whom? I was in a country where tipping isn’t usual so I didn’t.

which country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

how did you handle tips?

Tips to whom? I was in a country where tipping isn’t usual so I didn’t.

The hotel porters and maids. Cheapskate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

how did you handle tips?

Tips to whom? I was in a country where tipping isn’t usual so I didn’t.

which country?

In Korea tipping is considered an insult, as they take pride in their occupations.

[Anonymous]

I just use a bank ATM when I get there. In France this summer I think I used cash just twice. Kids used Apple Pay everywhere. Things have come a long way!