For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
It is a balancing act between the number of days you will be walking and the amount of cash you will need. If you were walking for a week I would say that it would be OK to bring the cash, but any longer and you concentrate all your risk into a big wad of notes. Many places only take cash, but I would try and take enough for a week, and withdraw more cash when in cities like Pamplona, Burgos, Leon etc.Out of curiosity, and this is not to detract from the OPS post, is it wise to carry cash in euros for the whole trip ? Thank you kindly.
It all depends on the risk you want to take of losing your money or having it stolen. Personally i don't think there is a big risk, but there is always some. I always carried around €500. I've heard of things being stolen, but i don't recall any stories of people being robbed from the person. I'm sure it happens rarely.@Gumba
My humble apologies if my queation seemed vague. I was asking about the possibility of taking lump sum cash in euros for the entire duration of the trip vs having to continously withdraw from ATMS, or paying by card.
As per title where am I likely to get the best exchange rate? Home in Australia, Paris or SJPDP/Spain? I have about 150 euros (for 4 of us) and staying in a hotel the first couple of nights (prepaid) so its not imperative that I have euros straight away..
Leaving in just over 6 weeks so getting down to the nitty gritty!!
thanks
In order to avoid the commission on the exchange rate I opened an ING Everyday account and use its debit card to withdraw money from ATM machines in Spain. ING do not charge any ATM fees and use the daily international mastercard exchange rate - whatever that happens to be. So no commission or markup.
Also any withdrawal fees charged by the operator of the ATM machine will be rebated by ING.
I used to use a Commonwealth Bank Money Card (a multi-currency debit card) but the downside was the commission on the exchange rate, and usually a charge by the operator of the ATM machine.
I also have a 28 Degree Mastercard credit card for the few places that take credit cards - large hotels! It also has no commission or mark-up on the exchange rate and is cost effective as long as you only use it for purchases (not cash withdrawals) and pay it off within the interest free period - like all true credit cards the interest rates are ruinous.
ATMs are common, so, provided you have the ability to withdraw money from a debit card, there is no need to carry large amounts of cash.
A few years ago Choice (Australian Consumers Association) did run a comparison on travel money cards, but it is probably out of date now.
...I always carried around €500. I've heard of things being stolen, but i don't recall any stories of people being robbed from the person. I'm sure it happens rarely.
There is a risk of pickpockets in cities. I always kept my cash on me. Never in a bag i might leave or get stolen.
.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?