Any way to get around carrying so much cash?

Take less expensive excursions with companies that take credit cards. I have never used an off the ship excursion costing so much. Have you looked at Viator?
ATMs are the way to get cash overseas, and banks/credit unions always have a maximum amount of cash available per day withdrawal. Might take a couple of bank machines to get that much.

Have two debit cards linked to two accounts and increase your withdrawal limit. When you start your excursion let the guide know you need to visit an ATM in order for him/her to be paid. They will make it happen. Just a comment on “decoy wallets”. This is a wallet that has nothing of value but a pickpocket will detect it and lift it. Why would you want to bring a pickpocket into your space with such a “ruse”? Pickpockets are very skilled. Once they are drawn to you anything you are carrying is fair game. Why lure them? I’ve seen this decoy wallet idea on this board several times. It’s a very bad idea!

See if you can prepay some of them. If they are recommended by Rick, they should be legitimate. Contact them expressing your concerns and ask them to provide an optional payment method. Easiest and least expensive way to transfer money overseas is by using the TransferWise app.

Viator is a re-seller of other companies tours. There is no reason to use them rather than the original company. Use Trip Advisor to find out which tours are in the cities you are visiting and deal directly with them.

The logic of carrying a decoy wallet escapes me. Why in the world would you bother doing this? Wear a money belt and be done with it.

Do not use money exchanges, use an ATM connected with a bank and the best way is to use it when the bank is open.

What kind of excursion do you have planned that costs 1000€ for 2 people????

A one day excursion costing a thousand euro for two people equals one week at a decent hotel in Paris.

How do you book an excursion with a company that only takes cash these days? Doesn't seem like a very secure reservation and for a cost of $1000 it really seems "iffy". To answer your question.... Open an account with a bank that doesn't have international transaction fees (Capital One) and get two ATM cards. Have the daily limits on the cards raised to $600 and notify them you will be traveling out of the country. Withdraw money as you go and keep everything in your money belts. "Decoy wallets" makes me think this isn't a serious question.

If this is really a concern for you, go ahead and buy euro here in the US and take all the cash you want. Rick and just about everyone else recommends against it because it can cost large fees and/or you will get a very unfavorable exchange rate. Since most travelers don't need or want to have thousands in cash on their persons, it's a different situation, entirely.

There are three people in our group and these are all private tours where the driver picks us up and returns us to the pier. The most expensive one is because we are doing Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the archaelogical museum in Naples. The cheaper tours available include stuff we aren't interested in. We don't wnat to go shopping or to places like the cameo factory. With only one day in Florence, we don't want to waste time (in our opinion) visiting Pisa. We have been on ship tours, group tours, small group tours, and private tours before. The private tours have always been worth the money to us. It can be hard to hear the guide in a group and we are all very interested in the art and history. I appreciate the suggestions about tours but we really know what we want. I am just nervous about having to carry a lot of cash. I prefer to have as much paid for in advance as possible so I can just enjoy the trip. FYI: The decoy wallet is not something you dangle out there to attract a thief. That would be stupid. It's just something you can hand them if they demand money rather than your actual money. (They're not going to believe an American tourist doesn't have any.) Also, if it's in your back pocket, or handbag, a pickpocket will likely take that instead of confronting you or exploring further. I've never used one before but it doesn't sound like such a bad idea to me. While we're on the subject of money belts, how to you go about accessing them without giving away the fact that you're wearing them? I've tried different ways but it's always a little awkward. If I'm missing the obvious, please let me know!

alamedas, the way you are supposed to use a money belt, is not to access them for normal transactions. Think of it as a hotel safe that you wear on your body, under your clothes. Any money or cards that you know you will need to access during that day, you keep in another safe location on your person (zippered or pinned front pocket, neck wallet, or hidden pocket, for example) so that you don't expose your main stash. It makes less sense on a cruise where you're only out for the day, and there is a safe in your cabin.

In your case, if you want to keep that big wad of cash with you, just use the belt and find a safe place (restroom) where you can take it out when its time to pay. If there's a group of you, why not spread that day's excursion payment among all the people so its not all one persons responsibility?

Wearing a money belt is a safe way to carry stuff. Mugging you to get your money belt is so unlikely as to be ludricrous. About the decoy wallet ....... you had better be no where in view when the thief discovers he stole an empty wallet. He or she will be a little cross.

It's just something you can hand them if they demand money rather than your actual money.

Maybe I've been lucky or maybe I'm less cautious but I have never felt the need to be so security conscious about my personal belongings when abroad. I've been to all the so called pickpocket high risk areas, some multiple times yet have never experienced or suffered any theft or attempted theft. I've never worn a money belt, carried a decoy wallet, strapped passports, cash and cards to my body or anything like that. The most I've done is move my wallet to my front pocket on a recent visit to the Vatican. I'm always aware of my surroundings and never allow anyone to get too close to me and that appears to have been sufficient in my case. Of course there are those who have fallen victim to pickpockets but I believe the fear is far greater than the reality.

You are going to locations that are high on the tourist route, they are going to be busy places, many with a visible armed police presence due to the current terrorism threat, it is highly unlikely that you are going to be subjected to a mugging.

The decoy wallet isn't empty. Google it. There are dozens of articles online about it. You can even buy one stuffed with fake credit cards. You put a little money in it, a picture of a dog, expired cards, etc. It's a real thing and some people swear by it. (Not me, I only mentioned it as a possibility.) And if the only reason you feel compelled to respond to my post is to pass judgement on my choices and make yourself feel superior by attempting to make me look foolish, I'd appreciate it if you restrained yourself. Several of you didn't even bother to read my post carefully enough to see that we are a group of three, not two, and that the tour companies were all recommended by Rick Steves, in other words, not sketchy. I've travelled very cheaply before. I know how it's done. I don't want to this time and I can afford not to. It's a very special occasion.

Well, have a good trip in any case

Have you checked that your cruise ship might not have one or more ATM machines on board? It would seem that various passengers might like to get some euros for a visit to a port city.

And if the only reason you feel compelled to respond to my post is to pass judgement on my choices and make yourself feel superior by attempting to make me look foolish, I'd appreciate it if you restrained yourself.

If that comment is directed towards me then I'd simply point out that my advice is that the fear of crime is far higher than the reality. I find too many people fret unnecessarily over the potential of being a victim of crime in Europe that it detracts from potential enjoyment and relaxation.

I have no desire or reason to appear superior or to make you look foolish. I'm merely offering you my advice based on lots of experience.

My husband uses an Eagle Creek Undercover Hidden Pouch (Amazon). He doesn't like the bulk of a money belt. It connects to your belt and lays inside your trousers. He says he can't feel it there. If he needs something in it, he'll use a restroom or somewhere else private. Have a great trip.

To the OP. Don't let any of the posters make you feel bad for your choices of taking a great private tour of Pompei, et all. I've done plenty of tours that were more costly than many on RS forum participants would do. I understand everyone has a budget or no budget. When we travel the first priority is to experience what we like to do and prioritize that. I have a travel adviser that constantly wants to book us in a 5 star hotel when we have to leave to get to the airport at 3AM, All I need in that night is a clean comfortable room. But then I like to splurge on other hotels due to something special about that property.

I agree with the poster that said you can just ask the private tour guide to take you to the nearest bank ATM. Make sure you can take out that large sum of money... Actually, I think there is usually a daily limit. So I would research into another financial institution that would allow you to withdraw that amount. You might also inquire with the cruise company that you are using as to their ATM on board.

Happy Travels.

I carry a good amount of cash, obviously not all in one place on me, at least 5 different dispersed places. Some is in the neck pouch, maybe 200 Euro (10x20 Euro), some in the hidden pocket, ca. 350-400 Euro, some in the waist/fanny belt inside the back "lining" concealed in a plastic envelope fastened to lining by two binder clips so that it cannot be lifted easily should the bad guy unzip the main zipper, some in the passport holder in the inside right hand pocket, zippered, in the light jacket, which I had the tailor put in. Use the hidden pocket too.

Not a bad idea using the decoy wallet, haven't tried that. Main thing is to be aware of the your surroundings, don't be self absorbed with your group. I've seen Americans (esp in Paris) so oblivious to their immediate surroundings, all caught up in talking with their group. That makes you a potential target, not saying that it will happen, it just could.

No, JC. I was not referring to you nor to everyone, just a few. I have used caution and been lucky in the past. I lived in London for six months and had been warned about pickpockets but I just always put my wallet in my front pocket and walked with my hand on it and never had a problem. I negotiated the Grand Bazaar and public transportation in Istanbul without a problem as well. (Well, somone did get a little handsy, but it wasn't money he was after. A sharp elbow to the ribs solved that problem.) My anxiety this time is related to the fact that I would be carrying a lot of money that, if lost, would ruin our chance to take the excursion. I appreciate your comments. They were helpful and not at all offensive. I think I have some good tips now to come up with a strategy. Thanks.

Dear OP, All of this talk about your decoy wallet, which I agree with most here is a total waste of time and effort, but you havnt mentioned whether the women in your party will be carrying purses?

Purses are BY FAR the easiest and most commonly stolen personal item. And the most likely to cause injury when stolen. They are also a pretty unnecessary item. a small Backpack is also vulnerable. Most of these are stolen by Scooter ride-by's or snatch and runs. Much easier and much more successful than the traditional pickpocket routine and takes much less experience. Nothing screams "TAKE ME!" like a Louis Vuitton purse hanging off a 55 year old woman's shoulder.

Now I have lived in some pretty dangerous places where real crime and theft is truly an issue much much more so than Western Europe. Think Nigeria, Cambodia..places where this is an art form. And I have witnessed every kind of crime imaginable perpetrated against clueless tourists. In all my times in Europe including stints living in France and Switzerland I have never experienced any problems.

And after more than 40 years of traveling and living abroad I have had only ONE thing stolen...a bunch of bananas off the back of my bike as I was riding through Indonesia.

While out and about for the day I never carry my passport unless I am crossing a border and never carry my air tickets these are much much safer in your hotel.

Stop worrying about your cash. Take only what you need for the day put it in your front pants pocket and go enjoy yourself. (This advice goes for the ladies too.) You wont look quite so much like a lost tourist and you will be free of all this worry and trouble.

As for paying your guides lots of good ideas above that don't need repeating. XOOM PayPal and many others are global.

Go Have a good time.

I've never taken any kind of a cruise, but I have taken a few private tours, both alone and with my husband. They were worth every £ and €. I learned so much and had so much fun, but I did have to pay cash.

I don't carry lots of cash from the US to Europe, only what I have left over from the last trip. I do have accounts at 2 different credit unions and carry debit cards and credit cards for both. One CU has a very generous ATM withdrawal limit. It's the one I use most. The other's is totally inadequate and they absolutely refuse to raise it, so it's my backup.

I check for good, bank-based ATMs near where I'm staying, decline the DCC (dynamic currency conversion), and start getting cash upon my arrival. If the cruise ship has a satisfactory ATM option, that's a good alternative.

FWIW, the listings for the apartment owners I rented from in Rome and Venice last summer said they wanted cash payment. But when it came time to pay, both of them had those hand held credit card machines like waiters in Europe have. So I was able to charge my stays, sign the receipt and have a copy for myself. You might check with the tour leaders to see if they have that option, or will by the time you're there.

After buying almost every money belt style available, I've settled on this Eazymate runner's belt. It is soooo much more comfortable than anything else I've tried. Of course, I wear it under my clothes, not like the picture. The thing I really like about it is that it is all one piece, you step into it and pull it up.

I do what many others have suggested, leave the big money and cards in the money belt or the hotel safe, and carry a smallish amount of cash in my tiny purse. I had more than one bag with the lobster clasps like the picture shows. After messing around with split key rings and little carabiners to make it harder for a pickpocket to release the clasp and grab those bags, I decided to have the clasps removed completely and the strap permanently put through the rings that they used to attach to. Probably overkill and silly, but it makes me feel better.

I have organized shore tours like this. I wear a money belt for some cash. However, if you need Euros, best to use ATMs .

Put your cash in the cabin safe until you need it.

This is so easy to do. First, the idea of a decoy wallet may be useful in the US where you might actually be mugged at knife or gun point. The probably of that happening in Europe is close to zero and if you are in a group then it is zero. I have have hung around this site for a long time and have only seen one posting that approached being a mugging. Now if you spending some time at night on the Chicago CTA or subway in New York - carry the wallet. The articles in favor of decoy wallet are probably from the company selling them.

We have been on close to a dozen European cruises and sometimes needed lots of cash. I carry two debit cards tied to two different accounts. (You should always do that anyway) Both accounts have a max withdraw of $1000 (800 Euro). The most I ever needed was 750 Euro so I withdrew 500 E from one account and 250 from the other. Sometime the specific ATM will have a max withdraw per transaction of maybe 200/250E -- so you do it twice or three times. I may make the withdraw a day or two before I need it when I am in a different port. Do it on the way back to the ship, put the money in the cabin safe until I need it. If I have to carry it ashore, then it is in the money belt. AND you ONLY access a money belt in a very private location -- generally a bathroom or behind a very large tree.

We have been in all of the great, notorious pickpockets cities - sometimes several times - and have never had an encounter with a pickpocket or even seen one at work. We take the usual reasonable precautions. Be very careful about overthinking this. While the subject of pickpockets is frequently and sometimes excessively discussed on travel sites, the average tourist does not have a problem. Just don't put a wade of Euro in your front pocket and think it will be safe.

I had to pay cash in St. Petersburg. It was $300 dollars each in US currency, including $40 tip, nothing bigger than twenties, all in nearly new condition. They were very specific because their banks will only accept certain bills for deposit. In that case I did pack US currency with me.

If I needed a lot of Euros right when I landed in Europe, it might be a good reason to visit a bank ahead of time to get some currency. If I had more time, I could visit a cash machine daily to build up enough cash.

Another technique is having multiple accounts, each with a debit card and its own daily limit, so you could get enough cash more quickly. You can check daily withdrawal limits with your bank. Some banks will let you adjust your limit, most won't. Bear in mind some ATM's have lower per transaction withdrawal limits than your daily limit - so you need to do more than one transaction.

A third option is getting a cash advance from an exchange in Europe using a credit card. I'd use this as a last resort because the fees, cash advance, interest right away and possible currency transaction fee, will likely be prohibitive.

First lesson: RS is NOT the the supreme fountain of knowledge for European travel. Yes, a fountain - but definitely NOT the only one.

www.toursbylocals.com is where you'll be able to find a plethora of LOCAL tour guides, you can read about the tours, you can read evaluations from previous customers AND you can pay via credit card.

If you are using private guides, I'm not surprised that they want cash on the day. You should have no trouble taking cash from the ship's ATM's, and you can get some in Barcelona before the cruise too. Most daily limits are at leat $500-600/day, so it shouldn't be a problem. If you are concerned, tell your guide in advance that you will need to stop at an ATM on shore at/near the beginning of your tour.

First of all, find out what your ATM daily limit is and what fees your card issuer will charge you for foreign transactions. IF the limit is too low and they will not adjust it upward or the fees seem too high, there is still time to open an additional account at another bank with more generous terms to use when traveling. I use Capital One 360 which has zero fees for everything and allows $750 or more in daily withdrawals. My debit card with this account has worked everywhere I have wanted to use it world round. (Stating this as just general info for anyone reading this.)

I would suggest withdrawing more than you will need in Barcelona and as the trip progresses get more to cover each day's activities stockpiling some for the next day so when you hit the $1000 day you don't have to withdraw all of that at one time. Use the room safe on the ship or the pursers safe. As others have suggested, divide the money up among your group so that if one does get hit by a successful pick pocket not everything is lost and you might still be able to cover the expense without missing the excursion. Make sure the ATM on the ship does not charge high fees (many do) or uses Dynamic Currency Conversion to bill you in dollars for the Euros it gives you. Agreeing to DCC can cost a lot over using a bank ATM on shore. I don't think the tour guide would complain about stopping at a bank ATM if you need to to get the needed cash.

Have fun!

Just remember Rick was a victim of a pickpocket a few months ago and he is an experienced traveler. It can happen to anyone.

But he also admitted that he was careless. It can happen to anyone but don't think anyone has ever reported that a properly worn AND used money belt has ever been pickpocketed. Be careful but not paranoid.

Help I am so confused ?!?

If you are taking all these excursions at your cruise ports just leave all the money in your cabin safe except what you have to pay the guide .

Use a money belt if in transit with cash . Do not go into a moneybelt in public , ever .

Use ATMs

The decoy wallet sounds like a dumb idea ( I know it's not your idea but that you've read about it ) , I've travelled in Europe for decades , sometimes solo or witha child , as well as with my hubby , and I've never used a decoy anything !

And youention pickpocketing but seem to be citing mugging . They are not the same at all , you are highly unlikely to be mugged , which is violent confrontational crime , pickpocketing is more likely and that is a sneaky crime you won't even be aware of till it's too late

I've had to take a few thousand euro to Europe once. Fortunately I live in a big city with competitive money exchange places so I bought euro here and carried it in my money belt under my clothes. I took the largest denomination bills available for the big payment to minimize the size of the stash. I handed it over to the landlord upon arrival who was also concerned about carrying that much cash, but it was then his problem not mine. I provided him with a good reason to take other methods of payment.

Normally I would take a small amount and replenish at local ATMS as I go, but this occasion was different.

If you choose this, the cash should be split between the 3 of you and you should each have money belts. After you get to the ship, put the cash in the safe and then you only take what you need for that day. BTW I also carry a spare credit card and an ATM card on another account, as backup and I keep them in my money belt when in transit or in the safe if I'm in a place for a few days. Don't forget to clean out the safe at the end of your trip.

Or, since there are 3 of you, you could each take out money from an ATM at the start of your excursion (Assuming you need more than your daily limit and have separate bank accounts) and immediately hand it to your guide so they are responsible for it from there on out, or go to the ATM at the end of the excursion if that seems reasonable. The guide should know where you can access an ATM.

Talk to your credit union in advance about your plan to use ATMs for cash in Europe. They should be able to tell you about your daily and weekly cash ATM limit, any fees they may impose for these transactions and whether or not they have any preferred banks in Europe.

You might also be able to make different arrangements if you explain your concern to the guides in advance. It's worth a try if you haven't talked to them about this already.

That is a lot Euros - whether you take them with you or withdraw them during your travels. My issue with guides who want cash on site is the lack of incentive for them to actually show up. The only tour guide in Europe that ever cancelled on us was the one who only took cash on the day of the tour.

I say this without rancor - If I were in your shoes, I would look for guides with positive reviews on Trip Advisor, or some other platform, who accept credit card payments in advance. The RS guides only recommend a few tour providers. There are many more good ones out there.

Easy answer, have your credit union company increase your daily withdrawal amount and stop at the ATM with the tour guide. They are very accomodating and this is probably not the first time for them. They probably can direct you to an ATM somewhere during the tour. Interestingly, many do not take payment til the end of the tour. In that case you'll have all day to find an ATM
Regarding your credit union card. Traveled for 15 years with my credit union bank card - It is the best for withdrawing cash. No foreign exchange fees, bank fees are refunded to me at the end of the month if I use it 13 times or more. Check with your credit union.