Which card should I use to get money out of ATM in Europe

Use your debit card to get cash at ATM machines. All ATM machines in Europe accept magnetic strips cards. If you use a credit card at an ATM machine it will be treated as a "cash advance" and you will pay high interest rates. Your credit cards can be used at most all merchants that accept credit cards as a form of payment. American Express isn't as widely accepted in Europe as it is in the US. You won't be able to use your magnetic strip cards at ticket machines, or gas pumps. If you really want a chip & pin card, check this out: http://tinyurl.com/3shj3mb As far I know this is the one of the only Chip & Pin cards available to the general public in the US.

For ATMs: Use your local bank card that is tied to an account, such as CapitalOne, for example, that does not charge ATM fees and gives you the exchange rate that is the interbank rate, that is less than 1% increase on the posted exchange rate, presumably on the PLUS or Cirrus networks. These work by 4 digit PIN, not chip. Notify your bank what country you are in when. Do not use a credit card at an ATM - that is a cash advance and interest charged the moment you take it.
For that matter, don't take your regular credit cards at all, as they have 3% fees added on all foreign transactions. If you must have and use a credit card while there first find a card that does not charge this fee, such as CapitalOne's card. Note that if you use cash for everything then you will not have to worry about your credit card and PIN and Chip rules..

Thx Larry. Good point about just using the ATM card and cash. I guess, though, that I've also heard about buying train seat resv at kiosks, instead of standing in lines, and those machines may require a card with chip/PIN capabilities, so part of my original post still stands, for now...

Re train kiosks: They should all take the local coinage, so no need for that required special card.
As for figuring out the language instructions on these machines (since I've yet to meet an ATM that i could not figure out), that is a whole other issue, but that would be the same no matte h ow you are paying...

For withdrawing euros or the local currency I would not use the American Express. I have one and carry it as a back up or for an emergency (?). I've learned, the hard way, that my local credit union has the best dealtwo free ATM withdrawals per month, then $1 fee. And when used overseas no international transaction fee. When I use my B of A ATM card they automatically charge a flat $5 fee and then add one and a half percent international transaction fee. Like others have said, look for an ATM/debit card with no or minimal fees. And you might investigate a credit union. Have a good trip.

Good point, James. I hadn't thought of it that way. We all do tend to look at any situation through our own eyes only, don't we! Thanks for helping me realize I'm worked up over nothing. I do do that from time to time (sound of wife saying "yeah, right!" in the background).

I always use my local bank's debit card in Europe and pay for everything in cash. Very seldom do I use my credit card. I have never had problems at ATM's and my local bank will rebate any charges I accrue from using my card in Europe.

yep, i recently got a chip and pin card and had to pay fees for it because my bank here is terrible (an american bank operating in europe, not a european bank, that was my first mistake) and i am amazed at how useless is pretty much is because i'm used to carrying cash all the time anyway now. once in a while i'll remember i have it and get really excited and use it to buy u-bahn tickets but otherwise it just sits in my wallet. just make sure you carry plenty of cash on you when you're in europe. you can use a credit card at nicer restaurants and department stores, but not at a lot of grocery stores and gas stations and ticketing machines, just use cash at those. this is one of those topics it would make sense to "sticky" at the top of the forum.

Use the ATM card. Two things to think about here -
- Make sure your card has access to a wide range of ATMs. Some small banks/credit unions offer cards that have very limited access outside the US. If it has a Visa or Mastercard logo (debit cards), you have access to virtually any ATM in Europe. I think Plus/Cirrus are synonomous with Visa/Mastercard on ATM cards - I can't say for sure because I always bring a debit card for cash (not for purchases). - Know your PIN by number. If your PIN code is based on letters, learn the numbers associated with those letters. I think every ATM in Europe has numbers only on the keypad.

use ATM card for getting cash the lowest or no fee ATM/bank accounts are usually from a credit union or smaller local bank for larger transactions (hotels..)use a no international fee credit card like Capital One
I've never encounted a "chip and pin" problem when travelling in Europe

I pretty much travel with several cards: 1) An ATM/Debit card issued through my credit union here in Denver and tied to Visa. Works at 95% of the ATMs overseas I've tried it. 2) An AMEX card 3) A MasterCard or Visa credit card I tend to carry a second ATM card in a separate location just in case ('secret compartment' of my backpack for instance) I will try to limit my ATM visits to once every few days to minimize fees, and keep most of the money I withdraw in my neck wallet along with the cards. I don't see any need to memorize credit card company phone numbers since I can almost always go online and get to their web site. The only time I was pickpocketed in Europe, (in Milan on business and NOT wearing a money belt), AMEX was able to replace my card within two days. I have never had an occasion to use a currency change kiosk (either bad rates or high fees). ATMs work just fine. Oh, and I've found that most smaller merchants, such as restaurants really appreciate payment in cash even though they may accept plastic. Happy travelling! Ross

I personally do not use a debit card. Only ATM card and credit card. In Europe, I used a Bank of America debit card for ATM use (no fees if you use Deutsche Bank machines or Banc Paribis in France); Capitol ONe Visa for everything else, for the low fees. No chip. Used it everywhere, even gas stations (although pay at the pump requires chip - - so I just gassed up and had them swipe my Visa inside.) Also was able to use it at the fast lanes of all toll booths. My advice, take only enough cash for a day or two's souvenir buying (1-200 Euros); take your Capitol One Visa; and your preferred ATM card; zip them all in your money belt (mine is the down-your-shirt model--easier access, but still safe), and go sight-seeing! I only had to hit an ATM every 4 or 5 days, and only found one store that wouldn't take my Visa. And don't obsess about the chip thing. Ain't worth it. They'll still take your money.