Currency

You'll typically get the most pounds for your buck at a bank ATM once you arrive (home banks and airport ATMs often charge more fees than an ATM at a proper bank). Multicurrency cards like Revolut are typically best for very frequent travelers.

Double check what fees your bank/credit card charges for international transactions.

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https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money

Definitely don't change money in the US before going - that will get your a poor rate of exchange.

Chances are you won't need cash at all in the UK - virtually everywhere takes card, and most places prefer it. Some places are card only. You will definitely get raised eyebrows if you try to pay cash. Even market stall vendors have card machines. Where else in Europe are you travelling? Most countries mainly use card, but some are a bit more cash based.(Austria spring to mind).

If you really do want cash, taking it from a cashpoint machine (ATM) will give you the best rate.

Revolut or Wise is popular among travelers, but only you can say whether it will offer better rates than using your credit card. My Singapore bank offers similar (sometimes better) exchange rates, no foreign use fees for credit or debit cards, and allows me to hold deposits in multiple currencies, so while I have both Revolut and Wise, I normally don't use them. And of course with a credit card you have more spending flexible than a debit card.

We were in London in May 2023. We took $100 out of the ATM in £ and I ended up spending those £ at the airport on the way home.
If London was that cashless 2 years ago, it must be even more so now.
I would wait on those £. Unlike € you can’t use them anywhere else.

I was in the UK a few months ago, it's cashless. However ... why take a chance with empty pockets, either get $100 worth of pounds before you go or set up a costless scheme like a Schwab account to be able to use any ATM if you feel the need.

I'd say just use a credit card, don't get cute. And make sure you have a mix of Visa and Mastercards from different banks, because sometimes for no reason they just stop working for a while. You can bring an Amex but it's still not accepted everywhere, neither is Discover.

Don't get cash in the US. Wait until you're there and withdraw the local currency from a bank ATM. That being said, many places now prefer contactless payment methods (card tap or mobile phone payments) and some will refuse cash altogether. Make sure your bank doesn't charge international transaction fees. Personally, I like using cash because all the money is going between me and the vendor - a percentage isn't going to banks, mobile providers and Visa/Mastercard. But the world is moving on and electronic payments have become the norm.

Thank you all for your replies! We are going to London, Paris and Rome.

"Personally, I like using cash because all the money is going between me and the vendor - a percentage isn't going to banks, "

It's worth bearing in mind that cash also has a cost for the merchant - staff theft, bank costs (many banks charge a handling fee for business cash deposits), staff time for banking, and for big businesses, security guard/cash in transit costs.

For the UK, if you do use cash, avoid £50 notes as some businesses won't have change.

For Paris, card is widely accepted- I wouldn't normally use cash.

Since 2022 re-opening Post-Covid, I’ve been to Paris 3 times, London 3 times, and two weeks traveling in northern England and Scotland, including several rural off-the-standard-tourist route spots, just last month. (No Rome….)

I have not used cash in any of those locations. Always credit cards, Visa and Master, or ApplePay. Maybe a PayPal for an advance payment? Not sure….

I don’t know why your travel agent would suggest that your personal credit cards aren’t a good solution, especially for a short term trip. Some thought that Revolut exchange rates are better than typical for Visa or Mastercard? I would have to research - and my time is more valuable than the effort.

Relax and use your CCs!

Everybody sees this differently. I DO get a little local currency from AAA before I travel. The exchange rate and service fee are well worth it to me. I never need much, but it doesn't expire if I don't use it, and I do plan to return to Europe. I like to have a few bills and change in my pocket for those times cash is preferred or neither of my cards works. For me, queueing up at an ATM when I arrive in Europe is not my favorite thing. Do what will help you enjoy your trip.

Like KC, we travel with some Euros. While we will use credit cards whenever possible, cash is valuable to have. We purchase before we leave as we do not wish to try and find an ATM machine upon arrival.

The cost is nominal when compared to the total cost of your trip.

I never need much, but it doesn't expire if I don't use it, and I do plan to return to Europe.

Well, sometimes UK money does expire! There have been lots of threads in this forum about what to do with various notes that are longer in use.

I'm by no means anti cash, but put it in context, only 12% of transactions in the UK in 2023 were made with cash (this is number of transactions, not value). Figures from the ECB for the Euro area (2024) show cash comprised 52% of transactions, but percentage by country varies widely.

You may not always need cash in the UK. but if you take the Eurostar to Belgium or France, many public bathrooms have a fee, payable with coins. Or like in Germany, there is an actual person that takes your coins. After having to deal with with trying to find coins for a bathroom in Brussels, I always take some coins.

I would also take some money out just in case your credit cards don't work or get stolen. I went to Europe once and had trouble with my credit card back in the day when you had to call to let your credit company know you were out of the country. Having cash on me allowed me to still buy some food and water and other essentials.

"Also, my travel agent suggested a Revolut card instead of using my own credit card while in Europe."

I would make sure your travel agent has actually traveled in Europe and used this card. It seems unnecessary to me.

Meanwhile, after the issues with the power grid in Spain and Portugal earlier in the week, I'm going back to having about 50 whatevers in cash - Euro/Pounds, etc. BUT I would get them in the country after I got to my hotel. If you think this will worry you, then get 50 of each, Euro and Pounds at home from your bank. Your exchange rate will not be as good but it's such a small amount of money that it is not going to be a tragic difference.

I'll also ask if you currently use ApplePay or google pay at home? If not, I'd encourage you to set it up now, use it at home at the grocery store, pharmacy, everywhere that takes it so you get comfortable with it. For myself, this is the easiest way to pay in Europe. There are even contactless pay stations in many bathrooms now. I've used them in France and Netherlands. No lower limit on these things.

While it it true that many places are primarily cashless, cash is still needed for some things. And if the technology gods are having a bad day, cash may be the only option left. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. We've had at least a half dozen instances when card / reader / phone didn't work. One time was after having a fairly expensive meal in Paris. The only thing that kept us from having to "do the dishes" was cash.

It will cost a little more to get cash in the U.S. before you leave, but it is well worth it, in my opinion, to arrive knowing I don't have to find an ATM, wait to use it, and hope it works as they do malfunciton from time to time. And the small extra amount it cost in the U.S. is nothing compared to the overall cost of the trip. Just offering food for thought.

why take a chance with empty pockets

Empty pockets don't get picked.

I have had exactly two needs for cash in eight months of European travel over the past three years: Caddie tips at Scottish and Irish golf courses, and paying DHL to ship cool-weather clothes back home mid-trip from Berlin (odd that they don't take cards). I was able to procure the necessary currency for these needs on the day it was needed, without difficulty. Just don't agree that carrying extra cash is either necessary or particularly desirable. We usually have no more than 10 GBP or its equivalent on us at any time. If we were to want more, ATMs are everywhere.

No quarrel with those who prefer to be flush with cash, but it's by no means a necessity. I also have many friends at home who love to carry $500-$1,000 at all times. They love to peel 20s and 50s off a big roll when settling their golf bets. But it's not for me.

Obtaining a Revolut card is a very good suggestion, I'd go with your the main method of payment.