Good place to exchange money?

S

Schildawg

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino de Frances (2016)

• May 20, 2016

• #1

I'm sitting here in the Chicago airport, finally on my way to the Camino! There is a place to exchange my dollars to euros here, but the exchange rate is .76 which seems pretty low.

Does anyone have recommendations on a place where I can do better than that?

 

Robo

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• May 20, 2016

• #2

I have always found that just using my regular ATM card when overseas works fine. Those exchange booths always seem to offer bad rates....

 

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Time of past OR future Camino

First: Camino Francés 1999
...
Last: Santiago - Muxia 2019

Now: http://egeria.house/

• May 20, 2016

• #3

Using an ATM to withdraw money in local currency is the way to go. If necessary exchange money at a real bank but never at a money exchange booth. Buen Camino, SY

 

S

Schildawg

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino de Frances (2016)

• May 20, 2016

• #4

I plan to use ATMs throughout but we brought $500 to get us started since we are arriving Sat night. And I heard warnings about using ATM on weekend.

Any chance of places taking US dollars?

 

W

whariwharangi

Guest

• May 21, 2016

• #5

Schildawg said:

I plan to use ATMs throughout but we brought $500 to get us started since we are arriving Sat night. And I heard warnings about using ATM on weekend.

Any chance of places taking US dollars?

Click to expand...

The Euro is the currency so there will not be any places that accept US dollars.

Get 100 Euros at the exchange booth in Chicago ... so you have enough cash to get out of the airport should the ATMs not be functioning for whatever reason.

 

Anniesantiago

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Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• May 21, 2016

• #6

ATM in Spain is the best place, imo.

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• May 21, 2016

• #7

Schildawg said:

I plan to use ATMs throughout but we brought $500 to get us started since we are arriving Sat night. And I heard warnings about using ATM on weekend.

Any chance of places taking US dollars?

Click to expand...

No. Even banks don't want currency. Use your ATM card for the best rate. Notify your bank of your travel plans, or your transactions may be denied. I just had my always reliable Schwab card canceled mid trip because I used an ATM that had been compromised for other cards according to the Visa monitoring consortium. Have a backup plan!! I have another checking account until the new Schwab card arrives.

 

S

Schildawg

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino de Frances (2016)

• May 21, 2016

• #8

Thanks for the advice!

 

Kiwi-family

{Rachael, the Mama of the family}

Time of past OR future Camino

walking every day for the rest of my life

• May 21, 2016

• #9

(Slightly different problem, but related) My father-in-law arrived in Merida with 200 euro bills! I was surprised that the banks would not change them to smaller ones. BBVA rescued him.

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Norte, Salvador, Primitivo, Portuguese

• May 22, 2016

• #10

falcon269 said:

No. Even banks don't want currency. Use your ATM card for the best rate. Notify your bank of your travel plans, or your transactions may be denied. I just had my always reliable Schwab card canceled mid trip because I used an ATM that had been compromised for other cards according to the Visa monitoring consortium. Have a backup plan!! I have another checking account until the new Schwab card arrives.

Click to expand...

That's good to know. I also have a Schwab account that I use because of their policy of refunding ATM fees. I will also carry my other bank's debit card.

I usually use an ATM at the airport to get my first batch of cash, because I'll usually need it for the taxi driver!

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• May 22, 2016

• #11

trecile said:

That's good to know. I also have a Schwab account that I use because of their policy of refunding ATM fees. I will also carry my other bank's debit card.

I usually use an ATM at the airport to get my first batch of cash, because I'll usually need it for the taxi driver!

Click to expand...

My card worked once, then they locked it. They are sending a new card, and have given me $30 for ATM fees at other banks. Good service even if flawed.

 

G

gerardcarey

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CFx2, CPx1

• May 22, 2016

• #12

Best perhaps to pop the dollars inside your passport or wallet to use on your return home. Then use an ATM to furnish yourself with Euros.
I do this on purpose every time I leave the country.
Regards
Gerard