Trying to find a place to get Euros

I've never had a problem getting Euros at the airport upon arrival in Western Europe or the U.K. If you want to have a small amount (say $40 or $50 worth) you can get Euros at the currency exchange at any major airport during normal business hours - beware the rates are awful. Make sure your ATM account uses a 4 digit pin (and no letters). If you are taking money out of a savings account vs. a checking account you can run into problems. Put your travel kitty into your checking account before you leave just to play it safe.

You may be able to get a small quantity of Euros at your AAA office. A larger quantity will be available at any American Express office. They are also available online using a credit card. BUT, as has been noted, a better rate will usually be available at an ATM using a debit card at your destination.

In my area, I have had to order euros through my local bank. There has always been a flat fee for ordering, but I have no idea what it is anymore because I never buy ahead anymore. You might check with your local bank to see what they can do for you. I would hesitate to use AAA because of their fees.

Have you tried Wells Fargo? At least here in the Seattle area, they will let you get foreign currency even if you do not have an account with them ($5 charge but that's nothing). You could also try a currency exchange place like Travelex. Do a google search for them, you might be able to order online.

There is a lot of debate about buy before you go vs. when you land. Everyone has their own opinion. You can get Euros after you reach Europe, which will give you the best exchange rate, and likely be just as good/easy as anything else. But if your peace of mind prefers to have money in your pocket when you step off the plane, try Wells Fargo or Travelex. There's no right or wrong answer. It's just what you feel most comfortable doing.

And if you have euros left over when you get back, save them for the next trip! The almost 100 euros leftover from my trip last year are a lot cheaper (1.30 to the dollar exchange rate) than buying new ones now (1.50-something to the dollar exchange rate).

Hi Kathy, I bought some Euros at a "Travelex" store in a shopping mall. They don't have branches all over the country but you can also order currency on-line and have it delivered to your house.

www.travelex.com

Realize that you will pay a premium for buying Euros while in the US, no matter what agency you use. The official exchange rate today is $1.55 per euro, but the various banks and online agencies I checked are charging $1.63 to $1.70 or more, sometimes plus additional fees or delivery charges. If you still want to do it for peace of mind, that's your choice. But be sure to do it with your eyes open. One way or another you will pay for the convenience.

I checked with my bank just to see what 600 Euros would cost. Exchange rate of 1.69 plus 38.00 fee. Just over $1,000. I declined. Will get them at airport when we arrive.

On our last trip to Italy, we got some euros from AAA.
I think we got around $100 worth of euros..that was two years ago. The year before that I got euros at Washington Mutual (a bank out here in California) and I didn't have an account with them.

We have traveled a number of times to Italy and Greece and I have never had a problem getting euros from the ATM.

Have a wonderful trip.

Mary

Thank you everybody. This website has been a godsend!

Wow! I think the last time I got euros in advance (a similar amount), my local bank charged something like $7.50. I'd wait, too!

You can get euros at international airports (don't know about smaller airports) as long as you have your ticket or itinerary and you can return any unused euros within a certain number of days upon your return provided you keep the purchase receipt. I have done this twice and have had no problems.
Good Luck.

You can use your credit card while in Europe to get Euros. Most of them charge only $5 per transaction.
Last time when I wanted to exchange money at the airport (in Amsterdam) the rate was higher there than in the city.

Unless you are desperate, I'd avoid AAA for the "trip pak". That's a rip.

If you REALLY want Euros before leaving the states, the airport is as good of a place as any.

I'd rather wait until I get to Europe and withdraw from an ATM at the European airport. Every major airport I've gone to has plenty of ATM's to pick from.

As mentioned, the major European airports have plenty of ATM machines, though it probably won't have "ATM" on it. Rule of thumb, if it looks like an ATM, try it. The workings are mostly self-evident and most airport machines are multi-language. Look for the British flag for instructions in English! "50" will probably get you 2-20€ and 1-10€, while "200" might get you 4-50€ so be prepared to buy a snack or something to get smaller bills and coins. A supply of 2€ coins is very handy.

Kathy, here in Miami, we go to a exchange place in downtown, and get our euros before travelling.
The exchange rate is a lot better than in Europe.
I am sure in your city there are money exchange places.
Just look in your yellow pages.
Dora

Ask your friends/co-workers/relatives if they have any they'd like to sell (use the current exchange rate that you can easily find on the internet). People often have Euros left over from their trips to Europe that they would love to easily convert into US dollars - a win/win situation with no fees for either party!

What can I expect to pay as a fee when I get there? My bank charges a flat $8.00 fee. We're trying to figure out if it's cheaper for a group of us to buy them here or seperately there.

Teri: The estimate most often seen here is about 2% to 3% for using a Europe ATM machine to obtain euros. Some people here believe they pay less, say in the range of 1.5% to use an ATM. Sometimes you don't really know how much you paid to use an ATM machine until you get home and analyze your bank statement.You will pay a bank about 4.5% to 5.5% to buy a large amount of euros here, they may say "no fee" but there is one imbedded in the exchange rate they charge you. Bottom line: the 4.5% to 5.5% can be compared to the 1.5% to 3% using ATMs.Rick's opinion and that of 90%+ of Helpline experienced travelers is that ATMs are the best deal.