In April, I will be traveling from London to Prague to Rome to Madrid to Paris. I understand the Euro is used in Rome, Madrid & Paris. RS advises to get local currency, which I plan to do in Prague. What do I do with the Czech currency I don't use when I head to the airport?
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Figure out what your costs for that trip to the airport will be (be sure to find out if there is a departure tax) and use the rest of your cash to pay your hotel bill. They are happy to split the bill between cash and credit card.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
When you enter the terminal building at the airport head to the nearest currency exchange desk, and change it to Euros. ....or you could head to the duty free shop and buy lots of Toblerone;)
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
It's a delicate balance, getting enough cash to cover your spending but not have much extra or not having enough. Try not to fret about it too much. While currency exchanges are expensive, the amount of money you change in reality only means $5-10 worth of fees lost at most. Not a big deal for a one time thing.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Yes, try to plan your needs so you don't end up with extra. Buying local currency from an ATM is the best bargain you will find to get currency. Unfortunately, the ATM doesn't buy your extra back so you have to exchange it at a higher price. If you are exchanging it, it's best to do it while still in the country. I never change money (I'm more likely to buy extra chocolate as Micheal suggests) but I believe they will take all your money, including coins. If you wait to get to another country, there is a minimum size bill that can be exchanged. If I'm wrong, you can always take your small change and buy chocolate while it's still spendable. I do bring some home and add it to my coin collection as a souvenir.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
I have used Jeff's approach to pay part of my lodging bill with the local currency (not Euros) and put the rest on a CC. I have never had a place refuse this offer.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
i do what Jeff and Charlie do- use excess extra local currency (plus credit card) to pay final hotel bill. I still like to keep a little extra currency "just in case" something pops up on my way home. Came in handy wiith "exit fees" in Hong Kong which I wasnt expecting
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15768 posts
And the same advice goes for getting rid of sterling in London. Also, unless you are using local currency in the airport, you are likely to get a lousy exchange rate on purchases (for instance, spending pounds in Paris).