Is it better to change US dollars at home or once arriving in England or France? If done in the US, is a bank the best place? In Europe, would it be an ATM machine?
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Constance, see the post below in heavy type "ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS"
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Most travelers agree that buying foreign currency in the U S before going is the most costly way. Using ATMs is the least expensive as well as the most convenient way.
Read the previous comments on this page and the archives.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32349 posts
constance,
The method I use is to travel with a small amount of "travel funds", perhaps 50-100 of either/both currencies (depending on my destination). After arrival in Europe, I just use ATM's to obtain whatever cash I need for daily expenses.
It's a VERY good idea to carry at least two ATM cards on different accounts. Note that your travel funds must be in a chequing account with a four number PIN.
If usually have cash left over from previous trips, but if I do need travel funds, I obtain these at my local Credit Union or Bank. They don't always have foreign currency in stock, so it's a good idea to give them a couple of days notice so that they can order it in.
Happy travels!