Money to have on hand in Ireland and England

You'll get a variety of answers. I'm one that likes to have money on hand when I land, so I try to have 100-200 whatevers (Euro/Pounds/etc) so I can pay for transportation in to town, get a meal or 2 and then go to the ATM when I'm not jet lagged. I do travel solo and when I am with others I am more comfortable doing an ATM when jet lagged.

Yes, you can use your Debit Card to get local currency from the ATM. You'll want to check on what your bank or credit union charges for International withdrawals.

It is not recommended you use the Cash Advance feature on your credit card except in emergencies. You'll start accruing interest right away on that so it's expensive to get money this way.

Why not keep your remaining Euro for your next trip? Try to use down your change and bills. I generally try to keep the aforementioned 100 Euro for next time. I bring back Pounds as well, lol! It's an incentive to return to use it...not that I need that much incentive, hahaha!

As mentioned I like to have a little currency for all countries ahead of time. I'm willing to go with the crummy exchange rates I might get from my local bank to allay my anxiety. Others just go to an ATM once they are there. I do take 2 Debit cards and 2 Credit Cards with me. I've had a Debit Card not work even though I went in to the Credit Union ahead to do a travel notification.

Hi Jack. I don't carry any foreign currency when I travel overseas (except what I might have left over from the last trip). I use my ATM card (NOT a Visa credit card!) to get cash from ATMs in each country as needed - and use a credit card otherwise as often as possible. You CAN use a Visa card at an ATM to get a cash advance, but that would be VERY expensive! Better to use your debit or ATM card instead.

Some travelers, even experienced ones, feel more comfortable getting some Euros and/or Pounds prior to arrival in these countries. That's a personal preference. I always carry a few credit cards in addition to some US dollars I can always change at the airport currency exchange desk in an emergency (albeit with a poor exchange rate for me, but it's just a last-ditch "must have cash!" in case my ATM card won't work and I can't use one of my credit cards). I've never needed to exchange my US dollars this way, but's nice to know I can if need be.

It's important to let your credit card and bank companies know you are traveling, so they don't see use in a foreign country and block your cards due to fear of fraud!

It's also important to know what it costs to use your ATM card and credit cards in Europe. Most ATMs in Europe do not charge any fee, but your card may charge you a per-use fee plus a few percent as a currency conversion fee. (Credit cards may have foreign transaction fees too.) Just know what it costs. If your ATM card is not cheap to use, but you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, I'd try to use the credit card as often as possible.

I agree that it’s not necessary and it’s more expensive to buy euros or pounds sterling in the US prior to your trip. You can easily get either one at an ATM in the airport or any bank ATM. Best not to use private ATMs, as they are expensive. And, whether withdrawing funds from an ATM or using your credit card, if you are asked if you want to be billed in euros (pounds) or dollars, DONT choose dollars. This is called dynamic currency conversion and is more expensive.

And, since I see you are going to Ireland, don’t do what I forgot to do. Don’t just tell them you’ll be in Ireland. The Emerald Isle has two separate countries — the Republic of Ireland and Northern aireland. Tell your bank you’re going to Ireland AND Northern Ireland (if that’s in your plans), or they’ll freeze your ATM and credit card when you try to use them in Northern Ireland.

I always like to have some money on me upon arrival and then use cash machines.. I will save some money from the end of one trip in hopes of the next. This year, that backfired on me, I arrived in England only to discover the very 10 pound notes I had used last summer had ceased to be legal tender in March. Oops!

Now I am sure that this was much discussed in England, but I did not pay enough attention to the British news throughout the year. I will probably bring a little less cash home in the future.

I'm another one who likes to have 100-200 of the currency of the country which I'm visiting before I arrive. I do this for my own travels because -

-- When I stumble off the plane after an overnight flight (or even worse - delays and reroutes), I do not have to look for an ATM. I can take a taxi to my hotel and not have to worry about immediately finding cash. This is a convenience for which I am willing to pay a small amount up front in exchange fees at the local bank.
-- I have traveled to places where the cabs don't take credit cards. It's a relief to me to have cash on hand to cover this cost without worrying about OMG, where's an ATM?
-- I have landed places where the ATM's weren't working at the airport that day. As in, none of them. Most people never experience this. I confess to being the poster child of Murphy's Law, but it did happen once. I was never so glad to already have cash on hand.
-- This is purely a convenience for me. It's worth it to spend $5-10 at home in bank/exchange fees to have the comfort of cash in hand. Some people like to live closer to the edge. Some people never experience issues when they travel. We all travel in the way that's most comfortable to each of us. This is what is most comfortable to me.

I hope you enjoy your travels!!!

PS - And as another poster said above...if you have leftover foreign cash, you can always save it for your next adventure!

Add me to the group that exchanges some money at home ( usually $300 or so) and then uses my credit card as much possible when travelling but am ready to use ATMs if need be. I learned the hard way years ago that cash advances on a credit card means interest being added from day one.... not the best idea.

Thanks for all the great replys! A lot of good advice there. I think I will take some Euros with me that I'll get at my bank here, just to have ready cash on hand. The first B&B that we are staying in takes cash payments only, no credit cards, so I'll need cash for that anyway. I have a new credit card that has one year of 0% interest, so that is the one I will use most. Also, I'll bring a debit card from my bank.

Jack

Answering in order asked:

Yes, you can use your Visa CREDIT card to get a cash advance from an ATM. Some banks may allow this too, but most simply point to their ATM when you ask. But it is expensive and should only be done as a last resort. And a cash advance is NEVER included in the 0% interest period! Look at your credit card agreement, it will state that only purchases are 0%. You will pay some fee for each and every cash advance, whether a flat amount or a percentage, and the interest charges start as soon as the money comes out of the ATM. Use your ATM Debit card instead. Check with your bank to find out what fees there are for getting cash from foreign ATMs.

No, you cannot exchange any cash at a bank anymore unless you have an account with them. A side effect of having ATMs everywhere, but banks just don't want the hassle of handling foreign cash. You may find an exchange booth at the ferry pier that will exchange Euro for Pounds if you have an excessive amount left, but the rate will be terribly bad.

Since you have a B&B to pay on arrival, in this case it makes sense to have some Euro in your pocket. But still plan on getting most of your cash from an ATM with your debit card.

Although not asked: don't forget to inform your credit card issuers and your debit card banks when and where you will be in Europe so they don't shut down your cards when they start seeing transactions from Europe. Also, get your credit card PINs. You may never need it for purchases while in Europe, but it is good to have the PIN if it is required.

Since you need cash for your B&B I thought of another thing. When you are doing your travel notification with your bank for your debit card, ask what their daily limit is for withdrawals AND what time their day runs. If you just have something like a $300 minimum, you may be able to bump it to a $700 minimum for your travel time.

My credit union "day" runs from 3PM PDT to 3PM. In Paris that puts it Midnight to midnight, so in theory you could withdraw your full amount (if the ATM allows) at 1155PM and again at 00:01AM.

I know many don't feel the need to wear a money belt but if you are carrying significant cash for your first lodging, I would definitely put that in a money belt. You'd store it deep in your carry on going thru your local airline security and then put it on after you pass thru TSA. I am a money belt proponent any way.

ATMs are readily available and easy to find both at the airport (at Dublin airport there is an ATM in terminal 2 at baggage claim) and when traveling in cities and towns.

I really would not worry about getting the money prior to travel.
And I'll just reiterate what was said earlier getting a cash advance with your visa card will probably end up costing you way more money that you are expecting. Check with your credit card company. Also check on foreign transaction fees for both credit cards and ATM cards. (We use cards that have no foreign transaction fees and no ATM fees so all we have to be concerned about is the exchange rate. We are also reimbursed any ATM fees the other banks may charge. So it pays to do your research before you leave on vacation.)
And when the cashier asks you if you want to pay in US dollar or the euro/pound sterling - you want to pay in the currency of the country you are in. You get a much better exchange rate!

I had 40 pound sterling left after the Northern Ireland portion of our trip and I used it without hassle at the Duty Free at the Dublin airport. Probably didn't get the best exchange rate but I did get some fine whiskey. So if you have extra cash on hand duty free is your friend!

In 2015 on my European trip, I used my debit card for cash advances and credit card for big purchases, restaurants, theatre tickets, etc. where accepted.
I found a lot of places preferred cash and it was easiest since the denomination required was what I could figure out in cash notes and coinage. No mistakes, no assumptions, no accusations.
I used bank ATM's for cash withdrawals. Keep in mind that sometimes the amount allowed for withdrawal may be less than what you want. For instance, in Venice I had to try again for about 100 euro less than the original amount I requested before it approved the transaction.
Enjoy your trip.

I take 1000 E and 1000 pounds, purchased from my Credit Union. Once there, if I need cash, I go to a bank ATM, if possible, and get more. I would raise your limit per day for cash withdrawals to 1000.00 dollars. When you get back, you can reduce it to your normal amount. BE SURE to tell you bank and all ATM and credit cards you are taking that you are traveling to what countries and when. I figure about 150 Pounds or Euros per day, on average, for two people. We usually go to Europe for 6-7 weeks a summer. I have to get more cash at ATM during my trip. I eat cheap if possible. You can drop 100 Euro or Pounds on one meal if you do not read the menu first and see prices. Try to eat set meals, posted outside of the restaurant door or in the window. They are the cheapest. Pubs also have decent meals. Usually, Chinese restaurants have decent prices also. Just look at the menu board outside of the door. You will not see the set menu on the regular menu. You have to ask for it. Exchanging money at money lenders will kill you. Spend it on yourself the last two days.

I can't stress enough how silly it is to pay the terrible exchange rates to buy foreign currency in the USA. With the ubiquity of ATMs, there's absolutely no reason to do this.

I've had no problems withdrawing euros, pounds, Serbian dinar, Bulgarian lev, Croatian kuna, Norweigan krone, or Chinese yuan from ATMs upon arrival. So there's really no basis for the fear that you'll be stuck unable to buy foreign currency.

I also do what Rick Steves suggests - I also carry about US$100 in 20s with me - in the worst case scenario, you'll be able to find someone who will exchange US cash for local currency.

Dan

I can't stress enough how silly it is to pay the terrible exchange rates to buy foreign currency in the USA. With the ubiquity of ATMs, there's absolutely no reason to do this.

THIS!!!

IME, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to throw money away by "exchanging" dollars for euros here in the US. The only rational reason would be if your final flight destination is some tiny, obscure airport way out in the middle of nowhere - say, Svalbard. If your destination is an airport in anyplace that you've ever heard of before, there will be plenty of ATMs that you will walk right by as you exit the secure area, all of them working, all full of the local currency at the lowest cost you will encounter on your trip.

If you want to waste money by buying foreign currency at home for some reason, go ahead, just know that it's completely unnecessary in this day and age.

Dan and David: I understand your argument and I do not bring cash myself, but I also understand the need for a first time traveler to have one thing less to do in a foreign airport after a 10 hour flight.

Jack: You got a lot of well argumented opinions. Select your own way - it is your vacation.

“I can't stress enough how silly it is to pay the terrible exchange rates to buy foreign currency in the USA. With the ubiquity of ATMs, there's absolutely no reason to do this.”

Absolutely correct. I mean how hard is it to use an ATM, even with jet lag?

I'm with the majority view here. It's cheaper and easier to stick your debit card in a local ATM to get local currency. It's harder and more expensive to make an extra trip to a bank or AAA to get some currency for an upcoming vacation.

I can't think of a good reason to pay more and do extra running around before a trip when I don't need to?

My only caution is people have become accustomed to avoiding exchange booths in favor of ATM's. Now exchange companies have countered by putting automatic change booths in airports - even labeling them ATM's. I've found a couple ways to tell it's an exchange booth rather than an ATM. If it gives you an option for a cash advance from a credit card, it's an exchange booth. If it charges a fee for use, it's an exchange booth. I still believe it's true that bank ATM's never charge a fee in Europe, the transaction fee you pay is what your bank charges you.

Big US banks charge hefty fees. If you're in one. Consider opening a travel account at a credit union or smaller bank. BofA, Wells Fargo, Citibank, etc. typically charge fees of $5 + 3 percent per transaction. For $100, that's a fee of $8. I use USAA. They charge a flat one percent. For $100, that's a fee of $1. One percent isn't hard to find. Some places charge no fee but usually come with minimum balance or other requirements, make sure the requirements work for you before committing. Here's a recent comparison of some bank charges: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/debit-card-foreign-transaction-international-atm-fees/