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There might be exceptions, but generally speaking: shops (and supermarkets) don't accept big notes, sometimes even € 100,- is too big. But I think the banks might change the big notes for smaller ones.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
Don’t even think about 500s. If you have the time you could exchange them at a bank - but if you’re not a client there’s a fair chance that they will not.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
I get a better rate of exchange is I do it beforehand.If it were me, I'd walk into a bank in Spain and ask.
Note to others: There's really no need to buy large amounts of Euros before you travel. You can pick them up at any ATM at the airport or in the cities/villages.
Me too. TravelFx in the UK is constantly a couple of % ahead of my bank or the high street.I get a better rate of exchange is I do it beforehand.
I get a better rate of exchange is I do it beforehand.
Whether Mr Schwab offers the best rates after conversion, commission, fees etc. I don’t know - it’s the old ‘we’re not all Americans’ problem again - maybe that’s the difference?I wonder how?
I bank with Charles Schwab and I get an excellent exchange rate, including all my fees returned at the end of the month. The Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account has the best debit card for use outside the US. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, or use it for transactions, you do NOT get charged ATM fees or foreign transaction fees. And you get a rebate for any fees charged by overseas ATMs.
Maybe. I asked and was told this: 12:53:15 PM : Altaira W.: International residents can open a brokerage account with Schwab, and that account will offer its own checking as a support to the brokerage. So it might be worth checking into.Whether Mr Schwab offers the best rates after conversion, commission, fees etc. I don’t know - it’s the old ‘we’re not all Americans’ problem again - maybe that’s the difference?
That’s very helpful. Thank you.Maybe. I asked and was told this: 12:53:15 PM : Altaira W.: International residents can open a brokerage account with Schwab, and that account will offer its own checking as a support to the brokerage. So it might be worth checking into.
On that note (no pun intended), I am leaving for the Camino in about 9 days. Can I wait until I get to Madrid airport to find an ATM to get Euros? I wasn't going to get any euros before flying to Spain. I will need money for a taxi from airport, unless I can pay with credit card. Please provide me with any tips. Will there be an ATM at Madrid airport?First of all it wasn't neccessary at all to change money in your country because 20€ note would be quite enough until the first ATM. But now it is what it is.
Also it's not really smart to travel with a lot of cash. You never know when you can lose it or someone steal it...
I think your best bet would be banks but as I remember from last summer even changing five 100€ notes was a bit of a problem. So it would be best to change notes one by one in larger cities or doing a tour of the banks in one day
Yes - there are ATMs at the airport.Will there be an ATM at Madrid airport?
On that note (no pun intended), I am leaving for the Camino in about 9 days. Can I wait until I get to Madrid airport to find an ATM to get Euros? I wasn't going to get any euros before flying to Spain. I will need money for a taxi from airport, unless I can pay with credit card. Please provide me with any tips. Will there be an ATM at Madrid airport?
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies!
Marla
This has been discussed before, but I'll say it again...I have a Charles Schwab debit card and they reimburse all ATM fees incurred both at home and overseas. I love it.
Thank you, My friend told me about the Charles Schwab card a couple of weeks ago.. What a valuable tip!This has been discussed before, but I'll say it again...I have a Charles Schwab debit card and they reimburse all ATM fees incurred both at home and overseas. I love it.
I knooow...it's a no brainer! Thanks for sharing more details, Dave!YES. . . It is fun to look at their monthly statement and see one line showing $65.00 in various fees, and then a line after that showing a deposit of $65.00 as reimbursement for various fees.
Plus, the account is free, there are no minimum balances to maintain, and it pays a better interest rate than my primary checking account.
I know, I heard! I am so happy I asked my friend. She lives in Cali, but is European and goes back all the time, I think it is such a valuable tip.YES. . . It is fun to look at their monthly statement and see one line showing $65.00 in various fees, and then a line after that showing a deposit of $65.00 as reimbursement for various fees.
Plus, the account is free, there are no minimum balances to maintain, and it pays a better interest rate than my primary checking account.
For those of you resident in the US it does indeed look like a great option (Clearly this is not advice - do your own research)YES. . . It is fun to look at their monthly statement and see one line showing $65.00 in various fees, and then a line after that showing a deposit of $65.00 as reimbursement for various fees.
Plus, the account is free, there are no minimum balances to maintain, and it pays a better interest rate than my primary checking account.
So if I understand that correctly not ONLY US residents can open CS account? Thanks!Maybe. I asked and was told this: 12:53:15 PM : Altaira W.: International residents can open a brokerage account with Schwab, and that account will offer its own checking as a support to the brokerage. So it might be worth checking into.
That would appear to be correct. Whether it’s worth it to enjoy the stated benefits is clearly a personal decision. There are consequences for non US citizens if using US based financial products. As always, do your own research.So if I understand that correctly not ONLY US residents can open CS account? Thanks!
I should have done more research about currency limitation before changing... Where I live, changing some currency before heading overseas is just what most people do. And it also didn't occur that those notes would pose a problem
Initially I was hoping I'd have a chance to break those notes somewhere in Barcelona before travelling down to Pamplona and then to SJPDP. Or somewhere along the way... But I wasn't too sure how possible that might be, so throwing this question out there was all I could think of!
Knowing a little more about this from you all helps. So thank you for sharing your thoughts, suggestions and experience
Some do - but it’s a bit random. I’ve never found an ATM in Spain dispensing notes larger than 50. Usually it’s 50s and 20sDoes the ATM/any specific ATMs allow to select the denominations that you want when withdrawing?
Does the ATM/any specific ATMs allow to select the denominations that you want when withdrawing?
I personally have never seen one, at home or abroad...but it's definately a great idea!Does the ATM/any specific ATMs allow to select the denominations that you want when withdrawing?
That unfortunately is a something I can't afford... the best banking options that is available to me still charges a ATM withdrawal fee each time (either on my country bank or the foreign bank itself)Some do. . . but the best strategy is to select an amount to withdraw which will minimize the issuance of large denominations. For example, since I am able to do multiple withdrawals each day, I will do three separate transactions of 80 or 90 Euros (depending on the ATM). Since I only keep around 300 Euros on me at one time, that is not a problem. When I get to my last 30 or 50 Euros, it is time to do another round of withdrawals.
On that note (no pun intended), I am leaving for the Camino in about 9 days. Can I wait until I get to Madrid airport to find an ATM to get Euros? I wasn't going to get any euros before flying to Spain. I will need money for a taxi from airport, unless I can pay with credit card. Please provide me with any tips. Will there be an ATM at Madrid airport?
Thank you in advance to anyone who replies!
Marla
Good to know. I am in Orange County. Flying out of LAX on September 15th. Buen Camino!It *should* be ok, but one time I arrived in Edinburgh and my ATM card was being refused. I was in a bit of a fix. I had to call my bank and get it all straightened out. They often have ATM's at the airport in the U.S. that give out foreign currency. You are in California? (not Canada?) I'm in Los Angeles and leave in 3 weeks. Buen Camino!
My bank too charge me with the ATM withdrawal fee. It's 0,48€ which is nothing in comparison with losing 1500€ carrying on me for example... And being in constant fear. Is that the Camino you are longing for?That unfortunately is a something I can't afford... the best banking options that is available to me still charges a ATM withdrawal fee each time (either on my country bank or the foreign bank itself)
Mine works out to be abt 3-4 Euros for each ATM withdrawal! If only, it didn't cost that much on my side... Otherwise, I agree that it would be the best option!My bank too charge me with the ATM withdrawal fee. It's 0,48€ which is nothing in comparison with losing 1500€ carrying on me for example... And being in constant fear. Is that the Camino you are longing for?
Re-think that again
Thanks for the suggestion and advice!Wish you all the best
I am sorry for the trouble you find yourself in. Maybe I am missing something obvious, but have you tried to return the euro notes and get your money back? I know someone else suggested that. You will lose something in the transaction, but you will gain peace of mind.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
You can change them at the airport.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
You need to go to a bank. It is hard to use anything over 50 euros.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
I can withdraw the currency if whichever country I am in with my Schwab account debit card. ALL ATM fees are refunded to me.The beauty of N26 is that I can withdraw the money I deposited in USD in Euros with no added fees. They charge a small premium on the exchange rate. But there are nil ATM fees.
very seriously, I would go back to your money changer and change back your money. You have been given a lot of advice and opinion and I think you will most definitely hit problems with these notes, plus I guess, you will have in your possession a large amount of Euros, which is just not necessary.Hi,
I have just changed some money for my Camino which is happening in less than 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the money changer in my country only have big notes (Euros 200, Euros 500).
And I just found out that the Euros 500 note is not widely accepted. Even Euros 200 notes can be challenging to break...Does anyone know how or where I can go to get smaller change? Will the banks in Spain or supermarkets accept either notes?
I am not sure in what context you experienced this. As I stated above, I have frequently gone into banks in Spain to change large bills for smaller ones.Not read all the replies, so unsure as to whether anyone has mentioned this already....
but my limited experience is that banks do not hold cash apart from in the ATM machine. Going inside was a waste of time.
I am not sure in what context you experienced this. As I stated above, I have frequently gone into banks in Spain to change large bills for smaller ones.
We also take our cash inside to break into smaller notes and have not run into this problem.Not read all the replies, so unsure as to whether anyone has mentioned this already....
but my limited experience is that banks do not hold cash apart from in the ATM machine. Going inside was a waste of time.
I learnt the hard way about 500 Euro notes. My exchange bureau only had 200's and 500's . When I got to Spain, I found that no one NO ONE will take a 500 Euro note. NOT EVEN A BANK UNLESS YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT THERE. I tried several banks and ended up having to make large withdrawals with my bank card. Fortunately, I have friends in Spain whom I was visiting at the end of the trip so they were able to put my 500's in their account and give me smaller bills which I used on my next trip. Get rid of the 500's before you get there... Now, my exchange bureau doesn't carry the 500's anymore. As for the 50's, you can easily use them at the albergues and from them, you will get change to use in small shops.There might be exceptions, but generally speaking: shops (and supermarkets) don't accept big notes, sometimes even € 100,- is too big. But I think the banks might change the big notes for smaller ones.
Mind you: in the small towns and small shops they won't be happy if you have to pay let's say 3-4 euros and want to do so using a € 50,- note. They'll run out of change too quickly. So it's always handy to have 5,- / 10,- and 20,- notes.
I was with a friend who had a Schwab card and she had a hard time finding machines that displayed its logo.I can withdraw the currency if whichever country I am in with my Schwab account debit card. ALL ATM fees are refunded to me.
Really? All the ATMs that I've found take Visa debit cards. Never a problem in multiple countries.I was with a friend who had a Schwab card and she had a hard time finding machines that displayed its logo.
And use them wisely meaning:... Use ATM machines along the way.
I carry an expired UK drivers licence. I’ve often been asked for a passport or ID card - in Europe and elsewhere - as a deposit against an audio guide, when entering a military-run establishment (some museums) and elsewhere. My useless ‘don’t care if I lose it’ID has worked every time.And use them wisely meaning:
- don't withdraw a lot of cash
- find the ATM attached to the bank office
- withdraw during bank office opening hours (avoid weekends)
- don't flash your money for everybody to see.
I also use "fake" wallet with just a little albergue and beer money in it. Some expired bank/library/bus cards in it too to make it look the real one
I'm sure I forgot something
I was with a friend who had a Schwab card and she had a hard time finding machines that displayed its logo.
What @davebugg saidI believe your friend may have misunderstood how the Schwab card actually works, then. You can use ANY atm. . . no restrictions. . . ALL fees for any out-of-network atm are reimbursed.
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