Money matters

Today, the euro is one of the world's most powerful currencies, used by more than 320 million Europeans in twenty-four countries. The countries currently using the euro are below so it appears only Switzerland does not use it as their currency. I believe they use francs but not 100% sure. As far as how much a day to carry, it would depend on your spending habits. I personally would want somewhere around 50 euros a day since most places will likely take credit cards & I would feel more comfortable using a credit card than having lots of cash (euros). Have fun!

1) Andorra
2) Austria
3) Belgium
4) Cyprus
5) Estonia
6) Finland
7) France
8) Germany
9) Greece
10) Ireland
11) Italy
12) Kosovo
13) Latvia
14) Luxembourg
15) Malta
16) Monaco
17) Montenegro
18) Netherlands
19) Portugal
20) San Marino
21) Slovakia
22) Slovenia
23) Spain
24) Vatican City

Have you read the tips at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money ?

Galidrop,

i have no idea on your spending habits.

im sure you have traveled locally? i would look at what you spend there and then guestimate the equivelent and add some. Things are more expensive where youre going.

Also, i always have some change on me. many place that ive been to (not including the places youre going) have charges for using the public toilets. also, when buying bus/tram/subway tickets its nice to have change to use the ticket machines.

happy trails.

Dear Galidop,
You can certainly exchange cash for euros at several locations, especially in the airports.
Keeping cash in your banking account which offers an ATM card always seems the best option for me.
First you do not have to carry large amounts of cash overseas. Second there are ATM's everywhere. You will pay a service charge
no matter how you exchange cash. Check with your bank as to what your maximum daily withdraw is. Usually $400.00 US dollars and thats per ATM card. My wife and I can take out up to $800.00/day with 2 ATM cards from the same account.
Any country in the EU accepts euros. Good luck.

Portugal, Spain and France are Euro countries. The currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc although I have seen some places there that also price in Euros but be welcome tourist and use francs. Get a couple hundred dollars worth of both to have in you pocket on arrival. Once on the continent, ATMs have the best exchange rates and if you open an account with the Andrews Federal Credit Union, their ATM cards have zero foreign transaction fees versus the normal 2-3% from most financial institutions. For that matter, they also have a chip and pin credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.

Switerland is only country you have listed that is not on Euros.. they use Swiss Francs.

Spending money is a personal choice.. I don't shop so for me I can do food and admissions for 50-75 euros a day. Thats how much I carry in my purse usually ,, no more then 100 anyways.

If I leave my base city on a daytrip I carry a bit more cash and my credit card( during the day while in my destination city I do not carry my credit card around as I use cash and only use CC for hotels, train tickets and on an occaisional splurge meal) in case of last minute expenses like having to change a train ticket or something coming up and needing to stay longer. Has never happened yet though.

Do NOT take US$ and exchange them at currency exchanges in Europe!!! You will get a horrible exchange rate in addition to a big service fee! I don't know where you're going first, but if it is anywhere other than Switzerland, you may want to get some EU at your local bank or credit union, or if you are an American Express card holder, you can get some there. If Switzerland is your first stop, you can get enough Swiss Franks also there to get you through your first day, i.e., taxi from airport to hotel and snack money. Use ATMS after that, they're everywhere, including the airport where you're arriving!

all the U.S. bank where you have your debit card, and tell them that you will be in Europe and using your debit card there.. Increase your daily withdrawal amount and use your debit card to withdraw cash from the ATMS in Europe. This will be the best the best exchange rate you will get.

Use your credit card whenever possible, as some cards offer no withdrawal fees, and most credit cards companies deal in large monetary exchanges and thus the exchange rate will be much better than what you'll get at a currency exchange.

Do NOT use a credit card to withdraw cash, as most credit card companies will charge @20% interest the minute you withdraw it, as it is considered a loan, the same as if you withdrew or got a cash advance on your credit card in the U.S.

SO: Call Credit Card Companies and advise them you will be using the card in Europe, Call your Bank and let them know you will be using ATMS in Europe, and if you want 200eu or Swiss Francs to get you through the first day, get it at your local bank or AM EX If you need a thousand to rent an apartment when you get there, shop your bank or AM EX and see who gives you the best exchange rate.

When my husband and I travel together and need a lot of EU to pay for a rental apartment on arrival, we get the EU and split them between us. I carry mine in a neck wallet worn under my blouse, and he uses a money belt. This is extremely cautious, because it's
highly unlikely we'll be pick pocketed on the airplane and we use a taxi on arrival.

You will have the time of your lives!! Enjoy!