Anonymous wrote:We were able to get Euros thru a Facebook post, what social media do you use? Request to buy euros at fair market value. Lots of people come back with more than they thought they had, better to sell to you than just keep it for who knows when!

That's a pretty good idea. I am always strict about spending down my cash before I leave a country. At most I might have 5-10 left over. But I'll bet plenty of people get $200 worth out when they arrive and don't keep close track, and come home with $100 worth left over. They have an incentive to trade with you to get rid of it if they aren't going back anytime soon. I'll bet a neighborhood listserv might work if time is short so you can trade with someone nearby

We were able to get Euros thru a Facebook post, what social media do you use? Request to buy euros at fair market value. Lots of people come back with more than they thought they had, better to sell to you than just keep it for who knows when!

At the ATM in Europe. Stop overthinking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Europe is becoming a cashless society. We've been traveling for the last few weeks. In the UK and Netherlands we did not use cash at all. Everything is by card. Even the cheap bottles of water for 70p. Many places won't take cash. And there are now far fewer ATM machines.

We did want to get euros before going to Italy thinking it would be more traditional, but even Italy is jumping on the card bandwagon and also because I wanted to leave little offerings at churches, but it took a long time to find a ATM machine that wasn't run by a currency exchange place as those have terrible rates. I finally found a bank with a functioning machine. Another option may be Italian post offices if in Italy.

But 95% of our transactions in Itay was by card, as the law dictates all places must take cards too. It really makes things easier. I wouldn't worry too much.

It might be possible to tip with cash in the Netherlands, but it’s almost impossible to use cash to pay for things even from little bakeries, and even for coffee at the airport.

Not true if you get off the beaten path in Holland. Lots of places there won’t take Visa, only Dutch debit cards. The Dutch notoriously reject credit cards, and so Visa is not accepted in many places not frequented by tourists. You have to pay cash, Dutch debit card, or popular Dutch app.

^^although if you just go to heavily touristed Amsterdam like most DCUM sheep, you won’t need to worry about this

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Europe is becoming a cashless society. We've been traveling for the last few weeks. In the UK and Netherlands we did not use cash at all. Everything is by card. Even the cheap bottles of water for 70p. Many places won't take cash. And there are now far fewer ATM machines.

We did want to get euros before going to Italy thinking it would be more traditional, but even Italy is jumping on the card bandwagon and also because I wanted to leave little offerings at churches, but it took a long time to find a ATM machine that wasn't run by a currency exchange place as those have terrible rates. I finally found a bank with a functioning machine. Another option may be Italian post offices if in Italy.

But 95% of our transactions in Itay was by card, as the law dictates all places must take cards too. It really makes things easier. I wouldn't worry too much.

It might be possible to tip with cash in the Netherlands, but it’s almost impossible to use cash to pay for things even from little bakeries, and even for coffee at the airport.

Not true if you get off the beaten path in Holland. Lots of places there won’t take Visa, only Dutch debit cards. The Dutch notoriously reject credit cards, and so Visa is not accepted in many places not frequented by tourists. You have to pay cash, Dutch debit card, or popular Dutch app.

Anonymous wrote:Europe is becoming a cashless society. We've been traveling for the last few weeks. In the UK and Netherlands we did not use cash at all. Everything is by card. Even the cheap bottles of water for 70p. Many places won't take cash. And there are now far fewer ATM machines.

We did want to get euros before going to Italy thinking it would be more traditional, but even Italy is jumping on the card bandwagon and also because I wanted to leave little offerings at churches, but it took a long time to find a ATM machine that wasn't run by a currency exchange place as those have terrible rates. I finally found a bank with a functioning machine. Another option may be Italian post offices if in Italy.

But 95% of our transactions in Itay was by card, as the law dictates all places must take cards too. It really makes things easier. I wouldn't worry too much.

It might be possible to tip with cash in the Netherlands, but it’s almost impossible to use cash to pay for things even from little bakeries, and even for coffee at the airport.

Germany and Austria probably still use more cash than other European countries, but even there they now accept credit cards in most places. You won’t need that much cash.

Europe is becoming a cashless society. We've been traveling for the last few weeks. In the UK and Netherlands we did not use cash at all. Everything is by card. Even the cheap bottles of water for 70p. Many places won't take cash. And there are now far fewer ATM machines.

We did want to get euros before going to Italy thinking it would be more traditional, but even Italy is jumping on the card bandwagon and also because I wanted to leave little offerings at churches, but it took a long time to find a ATM machine that wasn't run by a currency exchange place as those have terrible rates. I finally found a bank with a functioning machine. Another option may be Italian post offices if in Italy.

But 95% of our transactions in Itay was by card, as the law dictates all places must take cards too. It really makes things easier. I wouldn't worry too much.

Ditto...get them when you arrive

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1134878.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1121109.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1075344.page

Thanks. Many answers outside of our timing (order from bank, order from AAA).
Looks like ATM at airport destination is likely it.

ATM upon arrival is almost always the cheapest and easiest way, as you can see in those threads. Remember to decline the option to run the transaction in US dollars (that's the "DCC scam" that is always a horrible exchange rate): https://onemileatatime.com/guides/dynamic-currency-conversion/

Which bank is your debit card from? Some more premium checking accounts will have lower or zero fees for foreign cash withdrawals. But check your account to see what the fees are. Sometimes there is a "per transaction" fee, so consider trying to minimize the number of withdrawals you will do, balanced with not taking out too much cash that you are left with a whole bunch when you leave.

If you really want some euros in hand before departure, and are willing to make the journey and take what is probably a horrible exchange rate, this place looks like it would work. I'd probably call before you went to make sure they have the appropriate cash types you need.

https://www.westfield.com/united-states/montgomery/retailers-detail/currency-exchange-international/51522

But truly, ATM withdrawal upon arrival (at a bank ATM which doesn't charge added fees) is almost always the best option.

Anonymous wrote:At this point I'd just use a debit card to take money out when you arrive.

AAA offers next day currency, and they used to (maybe still do) have a few bundles of euros in stock at their stores for same-day purchase
https://www.aaa.com/AAA/FinancialSvcs/currency/

Where are you going in Europe? In Spain for example, laws changed recently regarding money laundering, so almost every place accepts credit/debit card payments for any amount, even for a 1.50 euro coffee. Everyone is paying by card, it's quite amazing.

Germany, Austria. Looking to have small bills on hand for porter tips, taxi, and the like.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1134878.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1121109.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1075344.page

Thanks. Many answers outside of our timing (order from bank, order from AAA).
Looks like ATM at airport destination is likely it.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1134878.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1121109.page

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1075344.page

At this point I'd just use a debit card to take money out when you arrive.

AAA offers next day currency, and they used to (maybe still do) have a few bundles of euros in stock at their stores for same-day purchase
https://www.aaa.com/AAA/FinancialSvcs/currency/

Where are you going in Europe? In Spain for example, laws changed recently regarding money laundering, so almost every place accepts credit/debit card payments for any amount, even for a 1.50 euro coffee. Everyone is paying by card, it's quite amazing.

Did not realize that bank would need a 3 business day lead time (with Monday's holiday we will miss)

Any suggestions in NW/MD suburbs? thanks.