I ended up in Austria with 150 Swiss francs. What is the best way to convert them? Change them at a local bank into euros? Or wait until I get home (USA) and change them into dollars? Please advise, thanks. Betty
Posted by
Green Bay
21107 posts
If you plan on going back in the next few years, just hang on to them. I'd guess you'll take a 20% hit at an exchange booth, maybe not that bad since CHF is a very liquid currency. Shop it around at a couple of places.
I took a 20% hit when I changed Czech korunas to euros at Cologne Hbf last week, but I had no further use for them. Grossly over estimated costs in Czech Republic, especially for beer.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
Good idea, Sam, thanks. I would LOVE to go back!
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
If you need the Euros, change them. The rate I got when I did that in Austria a couple years ago was not terribly bad, but not terribly good either.
Definitely never bring the currency back to the US to exchange. The rate and possible fees charged will eat up whatever value you have. Saving them for a future trip (which is what I should have done) is the best option.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8923 posts
....or sell them to someone who is going there.
Posted by
2539 posts
To minimize or avoid this problem, I use the remaining cash and a no international transaction fee credit card to pay the hotel bill for my last night in Europe. This assumes I'll not need the currency in question for a trip in the near term. This scheme is aided by an ATM card and bank that does not charge extra for withdrawals and does not add a surcharge on the VISA brand exchange rate.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
As Bruce notes, if you don't want excess CHF on departing Switzerland, apply your extra CHF to your departing bill paying the balance with your credit card. And if you still have left over CHF on flying from a Swiss airport, use it at the duty free or buy a drink and snack etc.
And if you still have left over CHF, you can sell or gift it to relatives, friends or neighbors planning on a Swiss holiday. While I don't go out of my way to obtain foreign currency for an overseas trip, borrowing or buying excess foreign exchange from friends returning from a trip is often a win-win exchange.
Posted by
OP
115 posts
Why didn't I think of that?!!! Good advice, Bruce & Edgar, for next time.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
CHF - you might want to hang on to them. They might end up being the most trusted currency in the world considering what the US has done to our dollar and what the EU is doing to their Euro.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33754 posts
Can you leave them for me? - just tell which rock to look under...
or drop them off as you pass by London....
Thank you.
You've had good advice.