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I would carry 150-200 euros with me
I don't see a disagreement between you and mspath at all. She said not to carry a lot of cash, which could mean €500 to €1000.I hate to disagree with mspath, but I would carry 150-200 euros with me. I have found the maximum withdrawal in Spain for me is 300 euros. With that amount of cash, another town with an ATM is always within reach.
I walk with my wife, so there is always someone to watch our stash of cash, credit cards, and passports when one of us showers. So I am not so worried about theft.
Another tip mentioned earlier on this forum is to make withdrawals at a bank that is open...just in case the ATM machine eats your card. (This happened to me once, but the bank was open and the manager retrieved it.)
Buen Camino. And welcome to the throwback cash economy.
Tom
And I use a Charles Schwab account for traveling because they refund all ATM fees.Another thing to look at is whether or not your ATM card's bank is affiliated with one of the European banks with branches in Spain. If an affiliation exists, and if you use that affiliation's bank to do your withdrawls, it can save a bit of money on transaction and conversion fees. As an example, I opened a Bank of America account solely for the Camino because it is affiliated with Deutsche Bank. Branches all along the Camino, and if I had a problem, they can access my account in the bank itself just as if I were using a Bank of America at home.
In a town with no ATM a local shop might offer 'cashback'Sorry if this has been asked already... I'm just curious about access to ATMs along the camino? I'm not going till may but have been thinking carrying cash might not be the best option and do accommodations accept card payment?
Thanks
A kind and knowledgeable multilingual pharmacist! We expected to find an ATM in Molinaseca because our guidebook advised us there would be one. We asked several locals and they all told us the closest one was in Ponferrada, however, it is very, very likely that we asked if there was a "banco" in town because of our limited Spanish and not an atm (which according to Google is cajero automático) which would explain why we were not directed to the elementary school.Ĺast time I walked in Molinaseca there was an ATM but it was well hidden.
Walking into there early on a frosty Sunday morning November 2014 I met another woman pilgrim who was worried since she had run out of funds. Upon arrival in town all appeared closed as we searched high and low for either an ATM or for someone to ask; nada.
Luckily one pharmacy was open 7/7 and the multi lingual pharmacist directed us to the village ATM hidden on the elementary school facade! Her gentle kindness will be long remembered.
Ĺast time I walked in Molinaseca there was an ATM but it was well hidden.
Walking into there early on a frosty Sunday morning November 2014 I met another woman pilgrim who was worried since she had run out of funds. Upon arrival in town all appeared closed as we searched high and low for either an ATM or for someone to ask; nada.
Luckily one pharmacy was open 7/7 and the multi lingual pharmacist directed us to the village ATM hidden on the elementary school facade! Her gentle kindness will be long remembered.
Thanks for reply mspath once I know I'll be fineGenerally the camino is a cash economy. Private tourist accommodations usually accept cards but at most albergues you pay in cash. ATMs are found in most of the major villages and towns. Never carry a lot of cash but always have some tucked away for emergencies.
Whatever your budget and whichever card(s) you carry always have a stash of emergency cash. It need not be much say 4 × 20 and 2 × 10 euro notes. This stash might be very useful when an intense storm knocks all power out and no ATM works or during a long holiday weekend when the machines are 'milked dry'. As always it helps to be prepared!
See this earlier form thread for more info re ATMs along the CF way.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/atms-on-camino-frances.46635/
Thanks TomI hate to disagree with mspath, but I would carry 150-200 euros with me. I have found the maximum withdrawal in Spain for me is 300 euros. With that amount of cash, another town with an ATM is always within reach.
I walk with my wife, so there is always someone to watch our stash of cash, credit cards, and passports when one of us showers. So I am not so worried about theft.
Another tip mentioned earlier on this forum is to make withdrawals at a bank that is open...just in case the ATM machine eats your card. (This happened to me once, but the bank was open and the manager retrieved it.)
Buen Camino. And welcome to the throwback cash economy.
Tom
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