Robert Wawrzyniak
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances (2017); Mozarabe (2019); Ingles (2019)
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That's a very good point. Now that you mention it the local branch of the French bank that I use is more like an office than a traditional bank, with no cash in sight (except for the multiple ATMs). Even in the UK when I wanted to change some out-of-date paper money for the new plastic I was sent to the back of the bank to wait for a special teller.The reason is that they don’t handle cash at the desk because cash withdrawal and cash deposit are done via their ATMs.
While I can’t speak for Spain where I never went into a bank to change a €200 banknote into say €50s, already years ago a local bank refused to change a €20 into €5s for me and I think the way they’d do it goes like this: they take your cash, credit your bank account and then you walk to the ATM and withdraw the same amount (or a suitable amount) that will give you the desired denomination.That's a very good point. Now that you mention it the local branch of the French bank that I use is more like an office than a traditional bank, with no cash in sight (except for the multiple ATMs). Even in the UK when I wanted to change some out-of-date paper money for the new plastic I was sent to the back of the bank to wait for a special teller.
But the withdrawal from an ATM will involve paying extra fees - possibly 2 fees, once at point of withdrawal (notorious local ATM fees) and then fees to the Australian bank. Much better to try and acquire the smaller euro denominations at the outset, if possible!€200 notes can be a hassle to change, even eyed with suspicion sometimes as they are not in common use. That said, any bank will split them for you. Do you use a 4 digit ATM card? Could you not just take one with you, then you have access to cash as soon as you land in Europe?
A word of caution: Spanish banks may no longer change euro banknotes into smaller denominations these days, especially not when you are not a customer of the bank.
Tip: if you have a large euro note you would like to exchange, try paying with it at a large supermarket (the larger the better, they have cash in their register).
Smaller places will most likely only except 50 euro bills or smaller.
But the withdrawal from an ATM will involve paying extra fees - possibly 2 fees, once at point of withdrawal (notorious local ATM fees) and then fees to the Australian bank. Much better to try and acquire the smaller euro denominations at the outset, if possible!
You can use them in the machines at big supermarkets (Alcampo) with self-serve tills. If you go into a bank, it's possible they might change them into smaller noted for you. (I haven't actually ever had one, but I saw that the machines take them).Hi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
Are you sure? I have never bothered to work it out because the differences are so small that it is not worth it (to me at least and imho) but I am sure that the bank adds a commission when they sell foreign currency in cash at their desks - the fee may just not be visible to us because it is hidden in the exchange rate that they use.the withdrawal from an ATM will involve paying extra fees - possibly 2 fees, once at point of withdrawal (notorious local ATM fees) and then fees to the Australian bank. Much better to try and acquire the smaller euro denominations at the outset, if possible!
I haven’t read all the replies but we got all denominations from Travelex online, then picked the cash up at a nominated place in our local shopping centreHi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
Hi Robert, I’ve never used a 200 eu mostly 50 20 and the most used is the 5. I don’t know which bank you are with but you were lucky that they helped you. We use th Commonwealth bank, they told us that they don’t deal with foreign money.Hi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
Just to clarify, the €200 note is not illegal, but it is unfamiliar to, and not desirable to most shop owners. Illegal transactions are done with all variety of notes.That just means that illegal transactions are now done with 200 Euro notes.l
Agree with advice above that. given your difficulty in sourcing smaller denominations in Oz, best to take just a small amount of cash into Europe and withdraw cash as smaller denominations once you get here - taking a large amount as cash is a recipe for disaster, irrespective of the denomination...). I was never comfortable trying to pay for anything with more than a 50 euro note and even then changing 50 euros was obviously a burden on a small business.Hi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
Last time I ordered euros from CBA they came in a mixture, maximum was 100 and lowest was 5. Can order them online and nominate the branch to be picked up at, by memory I ordered 2500 euro.Hi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
And even that risk is marginal - as soon as you realise that it’s gone, you can jump into the app and freeze transactions.I also have a Wise account and card which I use for currency transfers and when travelling. It has worked flawlessly for me for about three years now, I think. And the advantage of using the card when travelling is that if it is lost or stolen only the amount loaded on to the card is at risk.
G'Day - forget the banks. Last time I need a supply of Euros I did an on=line application via Travel-Ex (or at least that's what I think they are called). I state how much I needed and how I wanted it. I was able to nominate their office nearest to my home (Canberra at the time). I now also use a CBA issued Visa Money Card (they are free if you are a CBA customer) - you get two cards (with two different PINs). You can preload them with just about all internationally trade currencies - GB Pounds, US Dollars, Japanese YEN and yes the Euro. All you do is go the first ATM in France or Spain and make a withdrawal - most ATMs will give you E5 , E10 E20 and E50. Anything larger than these are all but useless. In fact the EU has withdrawn the E500 and only if you ask do you get E100 (from a bank). Best of luck.Hi all
We will start the Norte from Bayonne on 20 April 2023. As with past caminos, we will purchase a supply of euros before leaving Oz but in talking to the bank it seems that they mostly hold 200 euro notes. We have travelled holding mainly 100 euro notes in the past and experienced little difficulty in changing these at stores and albergues, etc. Whilst we realise that smaller denominations are easier to transact with they are usually difficult to get prior to departure. Question is, has anyone travelled with the 200 euro notes recently and did they experience any difficulty in cashing them?
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