Currency exchange in Ferrol?

[Kenneth Judd]

I'm arriving in Ferrol tomorrow (29 Sep). Can anyone advise where to exchange USD for Euro?

Many thanks!

 

[trecile]

Don't bring USD. You will get the best rate by using your debit card at an ATM to withdraw Euros.
I'm not sure that you would be able to find a bank that will exchange currency.

 

[Bradypus]

As @trecile says you are unlikely to find anywhere in Ferrol offering currency exchange. You  might find somewhere at the airport when you arrive but even there it is uncertain these days. If you really must exchange currency notes rather than use an ATM then I suggest you do so in a major city like Madrid rather than hope to find this service in medium-sized towns like Ferrol.

 

[TravellingMan2022]

As @trecile says you are unlikely to find anywhere in Ferrol offering currency exchange. You  might find somewhere at the airport when you arrive but even there it is uncertain these days. If you really must exchange currency notes rather than use an ATM then I suggest you do so in a major city like Madrid rather than hope to find this service in medium-sized towns like Ferrol.

And if you are in a major city, many banks will still change fees, often €6 or €7. I use Deutsche Bank in the major Spanish cities (they have far fewer branches in the smaller cities) with no fees. I hold a UK card bot would assume same for USA card holders.

 

[trecile]

For those in the US who have time before leaving for the Camino I highly recommend opening a no fee, no minimum balance Charles Schwab checking account so that you can use their debit card which refunds all ATM fees worldwide.

Charles Schwab - The World's Best Debit Card For Travel - One Year Around The World

Stop paying ATM fees, foreign transaction fees and bank fees with the Charles Schwab travel debit card. Learn about the best card for travel.

oneyeararoundtheworld.com

 

[Kathar1na]

Hi @Kenneth Judd. I see from your other posts that you are likely to have already left the USA and will fly to Santander. It is no longer a good idea to exchange cash into euros in the country of arrival. Nowadays, many banks don't hold large cash amounts and you can't even get cash in euro from a cashier, you have to withdraw it from their ATM. And this means that you must have an account with the bank - then they'll take your USD in cash and credit the amount in euro to your account.

Places where you will still be able to do a physical exchange of bank notes if you must or absolutely want to do so: exchange offices at major airports and also the customer service at El Corte Ingles (department store) in major cities where, according to their website, they offer this service in Santander and in Santiago de Compostela. As others have said, in addition to their exchange rate, you may have to pay a fee. Unlikely to be a good deal.

https://www.elcorteingles.es/centroscomerciales/en/eci/servicios/foreign-currency-exchange-el-corte-ingles

 

[Kenneth Judd]

Thanks everyone for your help. The Hotel Parador in Ferrol was happy to exchange USD for Euro when I presented my peregrino credential and asked nicely. I'm not staying there but that didn't seem to matter. (I'm at the Hotel Almedra)

For a slightly related comment, my very poor Spanish is a problem but I am very thankful for the patience and kindness from everyone here in Ferrol. I've been walking around town today and will set out on the Camino early tomorrow.

 

[TravellingMan2022]

Thanks everyone for your help. The Hotel Parador in Ferrol was happy to exchange USD for Euro when I presented my peregrino credential and asked nicely. I'm not staying there but that didn't seem to matter. (I'm at the Hotel Almedra)

For a slightly related comment, my very poor Spanish is a problem but I am very thankful for the patience and kindness from everyone here in Ferrol. I've been walking around town today and will set out on the Camino early tomorrow.

Hope you got a good rate!

 

[Kenneth Judd]

Hope you got a good rate!

Yes, very good rate.

 

[TravellingMan2022]

Yes, very good rate.

Good, you got lucky. Hotels are second only to airports as places not to exchange money!

 

[mspath]

KennethJudd,
Now that you are set with euros and plan to start walking tomorrow it seems most appropriate to wish you a wonder-filled camino.
Looking forward to reading your future posts as you move along.

Stay safe, Carpe diem and Buen camino!

 

[Kenneth Judd]

KennethJudd,
Now that you are set with euros and plan to start walking tomorrow it seems most appropriate to wish you a wonder-filled camino.
Looking forward to reading your future posts as you move along.

Stay safe, Carpe diem and Buen camino!

Thank you for your kind words. The euros are just a backup for the credit card but I feel better having some for contingencies. I'm enjoying Ferrol very much. It's a beautiful and very interesting city. A late dinner at a sidewalk cafe last night was a real delight.

 

[mspath]

Indeed whatever your budget and whichever card(s) you carry it is important to have a hidden stash of cash. This 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'. Furthermore keep some euro bills in small denominations; breaking a 50 € bill in a remote village can be impossible! However, gas stations will often make change even if you don't buy gas!

As always it helps to be prepared!

 

[TravellingMan2022]

Yes, very good rate.

What rate did you get?

 

[Molly Cassidy]

And if you are in a major city, many banks will still change fees, often €6 or €7. I use Deutsche Bank in the major Spanish cities (they have far fewer branches in the smaller cities) with no fees. I hold a UK card bot would assume same for USA card holders.

I have a German bank account and it is the same for me. Unless you are a customer of that particular bank, I think the fees apply to everyone.

 

[TravellingMan2022]

I have a German bank account and it is the same for me. Unless you are a customer of that particular bank, I think the fees apply to everyone.

Thanks! If I understand you correctly… I am not a costumer of DB or any of their partners but still ‘fee free’ for me.