Should i convert dollars to euros

What if the ATM machine in the airport is broken, non-existent, or has an impossibly long line? If you find yourself in this unlikely situation, you can head over to the counter and cash in some US dollars. This brings up a point worth addressing:. These airports will have bank machines. Some examples:.

Click the links above to visit the airport websites and read more. Again, it would be a good idea to research the airport services in advance. However, do your best to not get taken for a ride by your bank. Also, be very wary of buying them at your departure airport back in the States. An ATM machine in Europe. Photo: Marco. Do they charge a percentage or a per-withdrawal fee? When using ATMs abroad, stick to cash machines that are associated with major banks look for those located inside bank lobbies or on the side of bank building.

Make sure you see a bank logo somewhere on the cash machine or signage. One last note: If possible, at the end of your trip, try to set some euros aside for your next European adventure. Instead, keep your unused euro bills and coins in a special place. Do you buy euros before you get on the plane? Avoid these 10 mistakes!

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I just went to my two American banks today. For American dollars they will give me euros and , respectively. I am always perplexed by articles such as this one that says going to an American bank to trade is the worst thing you can do.

As far as I know the two worst things are using the kiosk at the airport, using a money trader at an office on the street and using the ATMs. Then I use my ticket to get into the city and at some point, usually the next day, I go to an ATM and withdraw euros there, This past Oct. Hi Jennifer, I love these tips! Thanks for sharing. I think that might still be pretty rare depending on the city.

My travels land me almost yearly in Munich, Germany. Once I arrive in MUC, I can go to a desk where I use my credit card to obtain tickets for the local municipal transportation system. I usually take this opportunity to also book any other trains, etc. Once I arrive in the city, I have the credit card to use for anything I need that evening not much when I stay with friends, but helpful if I still want to dine out.

Not until the next day or even the day after do I go to a nearby ATM of a well-known bank and collect an amount of Euros to last me several weeks. Wherever I go, I always ask if I can pay with my credit or debit card, as it saves my cash for those occasions when I absolutely must have it like the flea market! My system seems to be pretty much like what you describe above. We keep a small brokerage account at Charles Schwab specifically so we can access our money with their ATM card.

Not only is there no foreign transaction fee through Schwab, but if the ATM or the bank charges a fee on their end, Schwab will refund it on our next statement. There is, then, no perfect solution to money abroad, except to be aware of others who will part you from it.

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Hot Property. You just need to know the rough exchange rates. I see no need to have it figured to the third decimal. Very roughly determine what the unit of currency euros, kroner, Swiss francs, or whatever is worth in American dollars. Make a game out of quizzing yourself or your travel partner, and soon it'll be second nature. Survival on a budget is easier when you're comfortable with the local currency.

Assume you'll be shortchanged. In banks, restaurants, at ticket booths, everywhere — expect to be shortchanged if you don't do your own figuring. Some people who spend their lives sitting in booths for eight hours a day taking money from strangers have no problem stealing from clueless tourists who don't know the local currency. For 10 minutes I observed a man in the Rome subway shortchanging half of the tourists who went through his turnstile.

Half of his victims caught him and got their correct change with apologies. Overall, about 25 percent didn't notice and probably went home saying, " Mamma mia , Italy is really expensive. Plan your cash withdrawals wisely. Avoid having a lot of unused currency left over when you cross borders between countries that use different currencies. This should also help you minimize withdrawal fees.

Spend your coins before leaving a currency zone. Since big-value coins are common in Europe, exporting a pocketful of change can be an expensive mistake. Spend them on knickknacks or snacks , change them into bills, or give them away before you head into a country where they're worthless. Otherwise, you've just bought a bunch of round, flat souvenirs. Note, however, that while euro coins each have a national side indicating where they were minted , they are perfectly good in any country that uses the euro currency.

I pack the following and keep it all safe in my moneybelt. Debit card: Use this at cash machines ATMs to withdraw local cash, which you'll use to pay for most purchases. Credit card: Use this to pay for larger items generally accepted at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies, and so on.