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) |
---|
To start off, never change a foreign into local currency at an airport. Before you leave home for Europe, obtain some Euros from your local bank, sufficient to cope with expected expenses for the first day or so. A credit card is best (except American Express) for withdrawals from ATM's or in banks' offices. Advise your bank that you will be using your card abroad for some time. When carrying cash in US$, avoid $100 notes. Not all banks will exchange $$$, so expect having to do this only in the larger towns. The same applies to other than US$ currencies.[...]Where and when is the best way to exchange currency? At airport? Before I go? How easy is it to get more euros while on the route?
I’d hit an ATM in the Paris airport. You typically get the best exchange rate at ATMs from reputable banks. You can find ATMs along the way in the larger towns and cities. Not so much in the villages.Hello Pilgrims!
I leave in two weeks for my first Camino! I am traveling from the US to Paris and then onto SJJP. Where and when is the best way to exchange currency? At airport? Before I go? How easy is it to get more euros while on the route?
Any advice
I do the same. And be aware that some ATMs will ask you if you want the bank to do the currency conversion for you. Always say no. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and it only benefits the bank. Also, when you do use your credit or debit card to make purchases you will often be asked if you want the amount charged in Euros or dollars. Again, choose the Euros option. Here's some info about dynamic currency conversion: https://thepointsguy.com/2015/06/dynamic-currency-conversion/I only carry an amount of dollars that might be needed while waiting at a US airport to catch a flight to Spain, and for when I arrive back. When I arrive at my European airport, I use my debit card to obtain about 300 euro before anything else. I'll need cash for taxis, busses, food, etc. once I'm there. And because the Camino is a cash economy, I am ready to go. When I get down to 100 euro, I will look for an ATM affiliated with a bank, and withdraw 300 more euro.
If I can specify denominations, I will try for 10 and 20 euro bills only.
I also use a Schwab account. I would have mentioned it in my earlier post, but I'm not sure if @Jeanne F has enough time to set up an account. Though the information is good for those in the US who have more time.Many of us from the U.S. now use a Schwab Bank debit card to withdraw from ATM's along the way.
Schwab charges no fees and will reimburse any fee charged by the dispensing ATM...thus no-fee ATM use.
There are a few others now doing this. We just found Schwab easy to set up and deposit to. Good idea to set it up in advance early.
Hello!! What made it easy for me was to take my Wells Fargo debit card (let your bank and credit card companies know the dates you will be traveling and to where) When I got off the plane at CDG I found the nearest ATM machine and took out 240 euro. 40 euro went into my fanny pack the rest went straightaway into my MONEY BELT. The machine will calculate the rates for you and will show on your receipt. Right now it will cost you $1.24 for 1 Euro. (this rate changes daily) Not too bad. It was a lot worse when I went. I know WF charges $5 each time you use an ATM. Use ATM's in bigger cities during regular banking hours. I think I only used an ATM a total of 4 maybe 5 times. I spent approximately 1000 euro. So at today's rate 200 euro will cost you $247.49 + $5 WF fee. I recall it costing me approx. $1350 US total. I was frugal but never felt deprived.Hello Pilgrims!
I leave in two weeks for my first Camino! I am traveling from the US to Paris and then onto SJJP. Where and when is the best way to exchange currency? At airport? Before I go? How easy is it to get more euros while on the route?
Any advice
It is interesting that my banks (the rwo largest in Canada) no longer want this information. Their websites say so quite clearly.I did neglect to add the very important warning to call your bank/credit union and have them note on your account that you will be using the card internationally.
Why would you withdraw against a credit card? Always use a debit.To start off, never change a foreign into local currency at an airport. Before you leave home for Europe, obtain some Euros from your local bank, sufficient to cope with expected expenses for the first day or so. A credit card is best (except American Express) for withdrawals from ATM's or in banks' offices. Advise your bank that you will be using your card abroad for some time. When carrying cash in US$, avoid $100 notes. Not all banks will exchange $$$, so expect having to do this only in the larger towns. The same applies to other than US$ currencies.
To start off, never change a foreign into local currency at an airport. Before you leave home for Europe, obtain some Euros from your local bank, sufficient to cope with expected expenses for the first day or so. A credit card is best (except American Express) for withdrawals from ATM's or in banks' offices. Advise your bank that you will be using your card abroad for some time. When carrying cash in US$, avoid $100 notes. Not all banks will exchange $$$, so expect having to do this only in the larger towns. The same applies to other than US$ currencies.
Go to you local bank and buy euros and you will get the best rate exchange. When we travel we purchase enough to us through at least the 1st 2 weeks. We use our bank debit card in country, but only use ATM's at protected bank sights.
Get Euros before you leave the US.
It is interesting that my banks (the rwo largest in Canada) no longer want this information. Their websites say so quite clearly.
No, we do it. I used my (European) Visa card not too long ago in Spain just to see how much it would cost me. I got a cash withdrawal of 140 EUR from the ATM and they charged me 6,36 EUR for it. There was no currency conversion involved, obviously. I just wanted to see that it worked in case I somehow could no longer use my ATM debit card.
I don't bank at a national bank I bank at a locally owned bank and their rates are lower.Actually, if you use your ATM card in the route you will get the best rates. USA bank exchange rates are much higher. I use a Charles Schwab account and ALL fees including exchange fees are reimbursed each month. In 20 years of travel to Western Europe, I have never taken cash from home. ATM machines on the Camino are as safe as those at home. Use normal cautions including only withdrawing when the bank is open on case your card is eaten.
I don't bank at a national bank I bank at a locally owned bank and their rates are lower.
Thanks for the information on the cashpassport card I will look that one up. (-: )1. Get a few Euro before you leave
2. load either your credit card to be in credit so to be able to withdraw cash any time from a money machine OR
3. get a cashpassport card loaded with Euro to avoid fees and get cash from any money machine in Europe
Ditto..same here.I never get euros until I get to the airport in Madrid.
Like Trecile, I use a Charles Schwab acount and get all fees returned each month.
Thanks for that reminder, Annie. I need to do that and will give Schwab a call today.My bank, Charles Schwab, still requires a travel alert.
I think that you can do it online.Thanks for that reminder, Annie. I need to do that and will give Schwab a call today.
My own experience, within the EU, is that IF I put my credit card account well into credit (that's the rub!) before I leave, it has a lower transaction fee at ATMs than if I were to use my bank debit card (and my bank has so advised me). Because almost all my Camino expenses are cash-based (I stay in albergues), I rack up few purchases on the card, apart from ATM use. Interest is charged until the next monthly payment-date, if the account is not in credit, so this isn't practicable for everyone, but it has worked for me. I do carry a 'secreted' debit card elsewhere, just in case of loss or robbery, but I've never needed to use it.
I think that some of these fees depend on the country of the issuing bank.And there isn't a "cash advance" fee charged by the credit card company? I never considered how that would work with a credit balance on the card, as I assumed there would always be the cash advance fee (which is normally much more than an ATM usage fee on a debit card).
Yes, now looking back on the responses, that seems to be the theme. Another perk of living in Europe!! The last time I did a cash advance was as a poor college student when I ran out of money in Mexico ... I won't say how long ago!I think that some of these fees depend on the country of the issuing bank.
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?