Money For The Travelers-Currency Exchange

Marco Polo · 06-10-2009, 09:17 AM

I'm leaving Sunday for my first vacation in years! I'm going to backpack in Italy (will also be in Barcelona for a few days) for two and a half weeks. That being said, I've never been to Europe. What I'm wondering about is how to obtain Euros. Do you recommend I purchase Euros when I get into Barcelona or with a bank in the states in advance? If the answer is the former, do you recommend me getting them in the Barcelona airport or some other random bank in the city? Thanks for your help in advance!

MIAdragon · 06-10-2009, 09:20 AM

Id get them at the AP/or bank here in the states

**BigRedChief** · 06-10-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

Id get them at the AP/or bank here in the states

Or at the airport but I always found someone to trade with within the locals and got a much better deal. But needlless to say that increases your risk of something bad happening.

Abba-Dabba · 06-10-2009, 09:44 AM

I've always recieved the best rates from aATM using my regular ATM card. Same day rates. Too many dodgy currency exchangers. No need having to carry large amounts of cash. Just make sure your bank is compatible with ATM's there. I don't see why they wouldn't though. It is Italy. And let them know will be using an ATM out of the country. Bump up your daily amount you can withdraw, if you have to.

wazimo · 06-10-2009, 09:48 AM

I often use my ATM card in Europe. Check with your bank to figure out the fees. I have a Platinum account with one of the major banks and find it cheaper and easier.

Malcolm

Abba-Dabba · 06-10-2009, 09:49 AM

Everything you need to know.

http://goitaly.about.com/od/planning...M-bancomat.htm

Quote:

Look for an Italian Bancomat with the affiliations you need (cirrus, plus, etc.) In Italy, Bancomats are clearly marked (see the picture with the blue Bancomat sign) and are found outside banks, or in behind a door that opens when you swipe your card. You can also find Bancomats in airports and at train stations.
Using the ATM or Bancomat in Italy

http://goeurope.about.com/od/moneyma...-card-fees.htm

Quote:

Experienced travelers find that ATM cards are the best way to deal with getting money in Europe. In general, getting cash from an ATM machine is cheaper than getting it from travelers checks (and much faster), and is usually cheaper than charging your small purchases on a credit card.

Marco Polo · 06-10-2009, 10:05 AM

Thank you guys! Much obliged.

Miles · 06-10-2009, 10:13 AM

Agreed that ATMs are the way to go for cash. Definitely don't bother with travelers checks because they are a huge pain in the ass to cash in and you will probably get a mediocre exchange rate.

I also found that I got pretty good exchange rates when I used my credit cards.

**Slainte** · 06-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Hi Marco,

I'm an ex-pat living in Spain and I've found the best way is to use your debit/atm card (with visa or Mastercard logo) to take Euros from ATM machines. Also, use the card for buying stuff as well. All stores, restaurants, bars, etc..take plastic. Call your bank and see if they refund the ATM service charges overseas. Some do, some don't.

Have a great time and be careful of that group of ATM machines in the arrival area at the Barcelona airport. Somestimes they don't dispense but will register a withdrawl on your bank account. Just watch what other folks are doing and if there's amachine that no-one's using--avoid it.

Oh, $1.41 to 1 Euro right now so be prepared to be kinda raped on the exchange rate...

**Old Dog** · 06-10-2009, 10:33 AM

Well kind Sir you happens to be in the luck. Send me your US dollares and I will exchange it at a 1 to 1 rate.
Of course I will need all of your personal and bank account information and rekwire you to xchange at least $1000.

or just use an ATM with your credit card

**Rain Man** · 06-10-2009, 12:58 PM

The ATM thing is probably good, but if you're in a large city some banks will give you a good rate if you pick it up in the U.S. I think it's better for them to do that than ship the money back somewhere. When I went to South Africa, one of our banks gave us a good rate and also an agreement to buy back any unused currency at either the same rate or no fee or something that was a pretty good deal. I think it was a no-fee deal.

**AustinChief** · 06-10-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Town'NCountryChief

Hi Marco,

I'm an ex-pat living in Spain and I've found the best way is to use your debit/atm card (with visa or Mastercard logo) to take Euros from ATM machines. Also, use the card for buying stuff as well. All stores, restaurants, bars, etc..take plastic. Call your bank and see if they refund the ATM service charges overseas. Some do, some don't.

Have a great time and be careful of that group of ATM machines in the arrival area at the Barcelona airport. Somestimes they don't dispense but will register a withdrawl on your bank account. Just watch what other folks are doing and if there's amachine that no-one's using--avoid it.

Oh, $1.41 to 1 Euro right now so be prepared to be kinda raped on the exchange rate...

Where are you living in Spain?

**Slainte** · 06-10-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Where are you living in Spain?

Seville

**alpha_omega** · 06-10-2009, 02:45 PM

In my experience....get it from your bank before you go (if you can). My bank charges no fees for the exchange (as a long-time customer). It was a little bit of a hassle because only the main bank could make the exchange, but there were no fees.

DO NOT exchange at the airport if you can avoid it.

**alpha_omega** · 06-10-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Town'NCountryChief

Seville

Nice...Kansas City's sister city!

06-10-2009, 09:17 AM
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $3938908	For The Travelers-Currency Exchange I'm leaving Sunday for my first vacation in years! I'm going to backpack in Italy (will also be in Barcelona for a few days) for two and a half weeks. That being said, I've never been to Europe. What I'm wondering about is how to obtain Euros. Do you recommend I purchase Euros when I get into Barcelona or with a bank in the states in advance? If the answer is the former, do you recommend me getting them in the Barcelona airport or some other random bank in the city? Thanks for your help in advance!
Posts: 2,540

06-10-2009, 09:20 AM	#2
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $-2202181	Id get them at the AP/or bank here in the states
Posts: 15,944

06-10-2009, 09:44 AM	#4
Abba-Dabba MVP Join Date: May 2001 Casino cash: $3582970	I've always recieved the best rates from aATM using my regular ATM card. Same day rates. Too many dodgy currency exchangers. No need having to carry large amounts of cash. Just make sure your bank is compatible with ATM's there. I don't see why they wouldn't though. It is Italy. And let them know will be using an ATM out of the country. Bump up your daily amount you can withdraw, if you have to.
Posts: 18,278

06-10-2009, 09:48 AM	#5
wazimo Starter Join Date: Dec 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	I often use my ATM card in Europe. Check with your bank to figure out the fees. I have a Platinum account with one of the major banks and find it cheaper and easier. Malcolm
Posts: 64

06-10-2009, 10:05 AM	#7
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $3938908	Thank you guys! Much obliged.
Posts: 2,540

06-10-2009, 10:13 AM	#8
Miles MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Casino cash: $-1677600	Agreed that ATMs are the way to go for cash. Definitely don't bother with travelers checks because they are a huge pain in the ass to cash in and you will probably get a mediocre exchange rate. I also found that I got pretty good exchange rates when I used my credit cards.
Posts: 14,541

06-10-2009, 10:14 AM	#9
Slainte Please speak your mind Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10010402	Hi Marco, I'm an ex-pat living in Spain and I've found the best way is to use your debit/atm card (with visa or Mastercard logo) to take Euros from ATM machines. Also, use the card for buying stuff as well. All stores, restaurants, bars, etc..take plastic. Call your bank and see if they refund the ATM service charges overseas. Some do, some don't. Have a great time and be careful of that group of ATM machines in the arrival area at the Barcelona airport. Somestimes they don't dispense but will register a withdrawl on your bank account. Just watch what other folks are doing and if there's amachine that no-one's using--avoid it. Oh, $1.41 to 1 Euro right now so be prepared to be kinda raped on the exchange rate...
Posts: 3,251

06-10-2009, 10:33 AM	#10
Old Dog Supporter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Central Kansas Casino cash: $2450201	Well kind Sir you happens to be in the luck. Send me your US dollares and I will exchange it at a 1 to 1 rate. Of course I will need all of your personal and bank account information and rekwire you to xchange at least $1000. or just use an ATM with your credit card
Posts: 10,769

06-10-2009, 12:58 PM	#11
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-672449 VARSITY	The ATM thing is probably good, but if you're in a large city some banks will give you a good rate if you pick it up in the U.S. I think it's better for them to do that than ship the money back somewhere. When I went to South Africa, one of our banks gave us a good rate and also an agreement to buy back any unused currency at either the same rate or no fee or something that was a pretty good deal. I think it was a no-fee deal. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,500

06-10-2009, 02:45 PM	#14
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $-1780000	In my experience....get it from your bank before you go (if you can). My bank charges no fees for the exchange (as a long-time customer). It was a little bit of a hassle because only the main bank could make the exchange, but there were no fees. DO NOT exchange at the airport if you can avoid it.
Posts: 17,350

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