Hi all, I'll soon be travelling to Europe and I'm wondering in general where the best exchange rates can be found. I'll be going from France, through Switzerland, and then Austria, so I may need to change some Euros to Swiss Francs and then back to Euros later. I'll be taking trains. I suppose I'm also wondering if it would be wiser to change Euros to Swiss Francs, or just to withdraw some Francs from an ATM once I arrive in Switzerland. Any thoughts from those of you who have done it before?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
It is always best to get your money from an ATM when you arrive. Even better than best is if you have a credit union or bank account that charges you no or low fees for doing so. Bank-associated ATMs in Europe will not charge you, so find the best deal here on foreign transactions that you can (I carry a no-fee credit union card, and an online bank card that charges 1% as a backup).
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
In Switzerland, just hang on to your Euros and step up to an ATM and withdraw Swiss Francs. Very easy. Hopefully, you have a Schwab ATM/debit card or a card from a credit union that deducts all ATM charges. Many hotels, restaurants and shops in tourist areas in Switzerland will accept Euros and will even show a separate price list in Euros. You won't like the exchange rate. They like their Swiss Francs. We usually come home with spare Euros for our next trip.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
The best rate that YOU can get is from a no-fee credit card and a no-fee ATM card. Changing back and forth will cost you both time and money.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Ditto what everyone else said about ATMs having the best rates. In addition, just to emphasize Larry's and Adam's point: Do not change euros in Switzerland. Stow them for Austria, and get Swiss francs from an ATM. In Switzerland, be careful not to get too many francs in the first place. Apply any leftover francs to your hotel bill (even if you intend to pay the balance with a credit card). Then, before leaving, change your remaining francs into euros. Or, hang on to them, if you plan to return to Switzerland in the near future, or if you know someone else who will.
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1626 posts
Not sure how long you will be in Switzerland, but we drove through Switzerland on our way from Austria to italy. We stopped in St. Moritz for the afternoon and had no problems using our Captital One card as a credit car for any purchases we made: lunch, parking, tram, ice cream, etc. We saw ATM's but decided to not withdraw Francs unless we had no choice.