Buy Euros now? Travelex Card?

I have been looking into this to. Travelex is a better option than debit cards, because they give you a better exchange rate, though still not as good as cash. But at least you don't have to worry about carrying a lot of cash. I would go with the card, over the cash. But try and shop around and get the best exchange rate you can.

I disagree that the Travelex card gives the best rate. When I looked at about six months you were paying about 5% to use the Travelex card. The best exchange will always come with a debit card at an ATM less than 1% over the daily interbank rate. After that additional fees MAY be added the card issuer that can range up to 3% and perhaps a withdraw fee. ALL of these fees are determine by the card issuer so shop around and find a debit that doesn't fees. Most credit unions do not.

Like Frank said, it will probably be best to use your debit card and not a Travelex card. In my personal experience, using my debit card was truly the best option, and through my credit union I paid very minimal fees. Every few days I would take out 200 euro and use it for my food, shopping etc, paying in cash where ever I went and withdrew more once I needed it. Also, as far as buying euros now--you would have to take out a very, very large amount to make it worth it, and you don't want to carry that much cash with you. The rate may go up, or down, but either way it will probably not be enough to make a large difference.

And if you had purchased Euros here in the US last week compared to today's rate, you would have been loosing even more money than using a DEBIT CARD attached to your CHECKING ACCOUNT at an ATM machine in Europe. I have never found a better exchange rate than using my credit union's debit card in ATMs in Europe. Have you checked out additional posts on this subject at the Graffiti Wall elsewhere on this web site?

Buying Euros now (other than pocket money for when you arrive) is no better than going to a casino with your vacation money. You might break even, you might come out ahead, or you might lose. Leave currency speculation to the Wall Street pro's and just withdraw cash from ATM's.

Unless your are expecting to pay cash for a Ferrari, do these differences amount to much? Suppose you use credit cards for the hotel, museum tickets, trains, shopping and most restaurants for a one week trip and suppose that you want $1,000 worth of Euro for walking around money (that's a LOT of cash for a week) Worst case, if your total cost of funds varies by 1/2 of one percent, that's pretty small change. fyi, I buy EUR 200 at home (US) just to make sure that I have something in the event, which happened once, that my arrival airport ATM is down. Also, you don't want to carry lot of EUR back home because it will depreciate before your next trip so it is an unprofitable use of funds.

"Also, you don't want to carry lot of EUR back home because it will depreciate before your next trip so it is an unprofitable use of funds." Maybe, and maybe not. Anyone who brought euros home in the last year or two has watched them have a very nice gain in value.

I agree with Frank, Devon, Charlie and Douglas. Use the debit card. You will be better off even you have to pay the ATM fee. Also, the exchange rate of the Euro to USD will be the same for all the US banks. It is a standard market rate for that day. About half a percent over the market rate per Bloomberg.
Some bank or credit union will not charge you ATM fee, find one if you can. Using traveler check or Travelex Card will cost you over 10% due to buying and selling expenses. Some time, it if not easy to find a exchange shop. A lot of them are going out of business due to the reason that people are using the Cards rather than the Checks. Have a good trip!