Oh no, no debit card

If your trip will be relatively short - say 18 days or less - just use your credit cards. If you have one from Capital One or American Express that includes a low conversion rate, that would be the best one to use but any Visa (preferred) or Mastercard will work.
Also take a modest amount of USD but use that only as a last resort. In Italy and Germany you will have to convert it to euros and to Swiss francs for Switzerland. Don't take more than you can afford to loose and carry it in a secure way.

Others travelers may disagree but I would think travelers checks will be very difficult to use and really aren't worth the trouble.

I agree -- no traveler's checks. Use your credit cards, but make sure you call your card provider and let them know which countries you'll be traveling to so they won't assume any foreign transactions are fraudulent.

Getting a cash advance with your credit card at a European ATM might (emphasis on MIGHT!) prove cheaper in the long run than exchanging cash Dollars for Euros at an exchange bureau or hotel. With the credit card, you will get the VISA exchange rate, which is very good. It will, however, be a cash advance, so when you get your credit card statement, there will be some interest charged, because for a cash advance, credit card companies start charging interest immediately. There may also be a cash advance fee and some ATM fees.

While not the cheapest way to get cash Euros (or Swiss Francs), this might prove cheaper than exchanging Dollars at a hotel or exchange bureau, where you will not get a very favorable rate. Exchanging Dollars at a bank will usually get you a better rate than at a hotel or exchange bureau, but the rate won't be as good as from an ATM machine. (But, you say you won't be able to get to a bank, so I guess that's not an option anyway.)

Beware especially of airport exchange places. They are a total ripoff, both at US airports and overseas.

In order to use an ATM with your credit card, you need to know your credit card's PIN.

Linda,

As you're leaving on Saturday, that doesn't leave much time to get this problem sorted.

First, regarding Traveller's Cheques. They're not really the best solution anymore, and as Rick says "I've cashed my last Traveller's Cheque". They're difficult to cash in most places, and you may have to go to a particular location in each city to even cash them. If you're on a tour, you may not have the time to do that.

I'd suggest travelling with at least TWO credit cards, both with four digit PIN's and the ability to take cash advances. If you prepay your credit card balances so there's a "credit balance", you likely won't pay the horrendous interest charges that usually apply to cash advances". Speak to your Bank about that. It would be a good idea to test the withdrawal function at your Bank before you leave!

Some here have mentioned a prepaid cash card that's available at Wal Mart, but I don't have any specific information on it. Hopefully Kent or one of the others here will be able to find the information on the HelpLine. If the Cash card was an option, again I'd suggest testing it before you leave.

Is there any possibility you could visit your Bank tomorrow and set up a debit card? Note that travel funds must be in a chequing account with a four number PIN.

Hope you can find a solution. GOOD LUCK and Happy Travels!

Why not just walk into your bank and get a debit card? You should be able to get one immediately.

Pete

I haven't done the math on this yet, so I don't know if it's better than getting a cash advance, etc., but I've purchased Euros and Pounds at American Express offices before trips. You don't have to be a member, and it's a small fee (in addition to their exchange rate) no matter how much you exchange. I don't take my entire trip's worth of currency, but at least 100-200 Euros/Pounds, etc. so I don't need to find an ATM right away.

And yes, please make sure you get a PIN # for your credit cards before you leave if you do choose to use them in ATMs, and don't forget to let your card issuers know you will be using them abroad.

Petes suggestion is best really,, unless it is different in States.. here getting a debit card on an existing account takes about 10 minutes.

I also agree with Pete. It should be a simple task to go to your bank and get a debit card. I would go first thing in the morning. Make sure they know exactly what countries you plan to use it in.

My credit union offers the Visa Passport card, which is essentially a prepaid card for travel. While it has no advantages over a regular debit card, it is certainly cheaper than the Walmart card - there is a setup fee, but no monthly maintenance fee, no fee for loading the card (that's what the setup charge is for), etc. (And good luck finding a Walmart in Italy, Switzerland and Germany for that "free" cash back.)

A prepaid card is also available at our local "Ace Hardware" in the Radio Shack area of the store....can't remember if it was an "Ace" exclusive, or Radio Shack. It is called "precash"! Mine is called the "Vision Premier" card, with a Visa logo. You will get a temporary one at the vendor, then will be mailed a permanant on. You can load it with $500, and then again with $499...twice total each day. I got the card, but never did load it, as I decided instead to get a 2nd debit card on an older almost dormant checking account. Found out that they would refund most all ATM fees, and had a low conversion rate of 1%. We also took substantial cash in our moneybelts (50 dollar bills minted after 2004 are accepted without question....older bills may be rejected due to the risk of counterfeit) The exchange rate for Euros at PDX and JFK was 1.65, and Shannon Ireland 1.55. However we found exchange rates at major banks in most towns in Ireland, to run 1.45 and not over 1.46, and after our return, our credit card showed an exchange rate of 1.43 with a 1% exchange rate. We were satisfied with the rates either way. Have not had a look at our bank statements yet to see how we fared on the debit transactions. So if you end up taking cash, check with the larger major banks in Itlay, Switzerland, and Germany...don't know if they will have rates similar to those in Ireland, but it's a pretty safe bet it will be better than the rip-off stands at the airports!

Visa sells a prepaid "TravelMoney" card through my credit union for $3.95. You load it and then spend it down or withdraw local currency at an ATM. I've not used one but it might work for your situation if you belong to a cu or can join one quickly.
Good luck.

I don't know if this applies to all prepaid cards, but I suspect it does. The Visa one has a very high exchange rate (something like 7½% over the Interbank rate). If you don't mind carrying a lot of cash, Wells Fargo or BofA sells Euro at the best rate I have found (5-5½% over). As for carrying a lot of cash, whether you have cash or a card, you have to protect it; carry it in a money belt or similar. If you have either cash or a card, and lose it, your immediate problem is that you are in Europe, 5000 or more miles from home, and no cash and no easy way to get more.