buying euros before trip

If you buy Euros in the US you will pay much more than if you buy them in Europe. These are places where you can buy Euros in the US (in order from bad to worse):

1. A major bank downtown Seattle
2. American Express office in Seattle (or anywhere near you)
3. SEA-TAC airport before departure at the Foreign Exchange kiosk inside the International Terminal.

The best place to get cash in Euros is at a European bank ATM when you arrive using your own ATM card (make sure you notify your bank that you will be using the card overseas or they'll block it thinking of fraud). There will be some ATM machines (or even a full bank branch) at any airport you arrive at also.

If you absolutely insist on having at least a handful of euros before you arrive (just 50 euros max will do) then you can go to the options 1 to 3 above.

You will get the best rate by NOT buying euros before your trip. Get them with an ATM card at any Bancomat after you arrive in Italy.

I like to have some local currency when I get to my destination. Altho I am sure my exchange rate has not been as good as it would have been at my destination, it made me feel better not to have to figure out the Bancomat the first day or so when I arrived in Italy. I suggest you check with your own bank first. My credit union did not have a good arrangement, but I have another little account in another bank and got an acceptable rate, charged me $7.50 and had them to me in rural Idaho in about 3 days. Being a novice European traveler, it made me feel less anxious.

I don't know your flight route, but I easily got euros during my connection time at the Frankfurt airport, via my debit card and a bank ATM. Should be the same at any major international airport in a Euro Zone country, but NOT in England, Switzerland, etc.

I suggest you get euros through your debit card (your own money) NOT credit card (borrowed money). Big difference in fees involved. You should call your bank or card issuer to advise them of where and when you will be traveling, ask what your daily withdrawal limit is (you might want to have that increased if necessary), what the withdrawal fees are, if any, and whether you should seek out machines of any particular bank or network. For example, Wells Fargo said I should use Star network ATM machines with that card, while Merrill Lynch said I should use either Deutsche Bank or BNL ItaIia with theirs.

As others have mentioned, you'll get your best exchange rate by getting euros from an ATM (at the airport is ideal). However, if it gives you peace of mind, you could go to Travelex in Seattle or to a big bank , like Chase. Just get 50 euro or so to keep the loss low. Have a great trip!

I am also in the camp that prefers to have a few hundred euros on me when I land in Italy. Prior to my last 2 trips to Italy, I purchased euros through my bank (B of A). Although they charge a small fee and the exchange rate wasn't as good as I could get in Italy, I still felt it was worthwhile to have euros for taxi's, snacks, etc. so that I wouldn't have to worry about findind an ATM right when I landed or right when I arrived at my hotel.

I too like to have a few Euros upon arrival. If you are a AAA member, call and order them and pick up the next day. I learned this tidbit this year and it is much cheaper than BOA.

A few other things not mentioned:

European banks almost never charge a fee for using their machines. The only fee you should pay will be from your own bank (the out-of-network fee and usually a foreign transaction fee). Using the ATM typically results in 3-5% surcharges. Exchanges at US banks/agencies are typically in the 5-10% range. An exchange office will be over 10%.

Always take transactions in the LOCAL currency. This applies both to ATM's and for credit card transactions. Occasionally an ATM or merchant will ask if you want your transaction converted into US dollars for you. Seems so helpful at the time but you get THEIR conversion rate, which has lots of padding to make them profit.

Your credit card has or can be assigned a PIN. While you would never want to use a CC for cash withdrawls under normal circumstances, it can be used in emergencies if you know your PIN.

Always notify all banks of your travel plans and have their number handy with you - sometimes they lock the account even if you notify them.

I have ordered Euro through my bank, it's easy, as has been explained. I also try to come back with about €50 from each trip, enought to get me to my hotel on the next trip. Regarding ATMs, they may have a lower transaction limit than your bank card. Transaction will be rejected, often without explanation. You may also have problems getting cash from an ATM toward the end of a busy weekend (the ATM runs out of cash).

I've always purchased Euros ahead of my trips to Europe. I'm also probably the only traveler who brings all of my Euros with me (thank you, Rick Steve's money belt!). I've always used Wells Fargo to purchase my Euros (I'm not an account holder with them). I've purchased Euros from them 2 ways - throught the website (they FedEx the money to you) and directly at a branch (go to the website for which branches near you carry currency). I consider the rate fair for the convenience (way better exchange rate than AAA). Have a great trip!

Mike! You carry all your Euros with you?

I have some Neapolitan friends who would like to know your next trip plans and where you will be staying. They are especially interested if you intend to ride crowded buses at any time during your stay.:-)

One issue is that many B&Bs and other small accommodations require payment in cash. So, you may need to take euros from the ATMs in Italy on a daily basis to load up on enough cash for that, and to compensate for the days when you can't find an ATM or at least an ATM with cash in it. You can also prepare in advance by taking significant euro cash with you to Italy, but make sure to keep it secure in your money belt under your clothing.

I paid the same exchange rate for euro bought in the US and for euro bought in Italy. Start with your bank, you pay for euro with money from your Account. If you have cash you want to exchange, your bank may recommend a reputable place that exchanges cash.
In Italy use your debit card at banks' ATMs to obtain euro. Remember to give dates of out-of-country debit card use to your bank. If you have cash you want to exchange, go to Poste Italiane, they will ask to see your passport. I paid the same rate at Poste Italiane and at banks' ATMs.
Absolutely buy euro before you leave. After 13 hours flight time, it's nice to be euro-ready. Keep euro for snacks and a meal, and, hehe, maybe a good stiff drink handy inside a small light shoulder bag like RS new soft travel pouch, put euro for a taxi ready in an outside pocket of the pouch, if your lodging wants payment at check-in, put that amount in a RS neck wallet, use a scarf to hide the ribbons if they show, then put any reserve euro in a RS money belt around your waist. Have enough euro to tide you over for several days until you can locate a bank ATM.
Wear the neck wallet and money belt inside your clothes of course.

Hi Cheri,
I checked at Chase bank in Seattle. There is no charge for exchanging currency and getting some Euros to have on hand, but you do need to have an account there. Hope that helps!

Don't forget to call your bank to tell them where/when you will be gone. I also have them change my ATM limit so I can get out a large chunk of cash when I go to the ATM. I always just get euros when I land and supplement with bank ATMS when my supply of cash is low. I have never had a problem with an ATM running out of money in Europe (but have run into that in small town Iowa).

Some bank ATMs in Italy will dispense less euro than others per 24 hours regardless of any higher limits at the home bank. So if the ATM does Not respond to your initial amount, just punch in a lesser amount until you find the limit for that bank''s ATM.

I had a similar experience as Sandra. In Stressa I could only get 250 Euro per day and would only accept the card once. In Rome I could get 400.

I also am a Chase customer, and generally arrange for a few hundred Euro prior to leaving. I like the flexibility of having some cash on hand in case we a)forget to get some at the airport (hey, it's happened before) b) the ATM line is long/unavailable/out of cash/etc. c) run into some difficulty with obtaining cash for whatever reason.

We usually take out another couple hundred Euro at the airport, as it gives us an immediate indication if there is an issue with our bank account, etc., and can plan our cash spending appropriately.

There are lots of opinions about when, how, where to get Euros before your trip. What's the best exchange rate, what's the safest, easiest way, ATMs, currency exchange booths, Western Union and so forth.
I think it all depends on what's most important for you. If saving a few dollars by exchanging through your bank, or doing a transaction at the first ATM you come across in Europe, that's fine.
If peace of mind, one less thing to worry about, having Euros in your wallet when you land, to pay for the taxi or the airport bus, or that coffee that you really need before you can take another step, then just swallow and change your dollars for Euros at the airport in the States or the airport at your destination.
The main thing to keep in mind, as I see it, is that this is your vacation, European trip, adventure, whatever you want to call it and it should be as uncomplicated as possible.
I have traveled to Europe many times, even lived there for some years. Whenever I take off on another trip, I always exchange some dollars for Euros at the airport.
What better way for the Rick Steves fans to blend in with the country, to experience it fully, than to be prepared with the local currency?
Forget the best rate and all the other stuff--just get your Euros the way that suits you best.

One thing you shouldn't do is exchange your dollars at any airport, port or train station.
Either get them before you go or over there at the first ATM.
Also, we never had any problems getting 500 or 600E at any atm in Italy.

At last check (and every other check before), Wells Fargo has the best rates; you can get Euro even if you're not a customer - last time I checked there was a $5 charge. Don't use Travelex! Get enough to get your trip started, maybe €100-200 per person, depending on your plans. My WF branch has always allowed me to get whatever denominations I wanted, so I get €5, €10, &€20 notes. I'll get plenty of €100 from European ATMs. If you want, you can resell your Euro to the bank upon returning, but only bills no coins; keep lots of change handy for toilets ;-) We keep our extra Euro (AND coins!) with our passports for the next trip (the Euro I've bought have been for those traveling with us).

Of course, European ATMs are where you want to get most of your spending money. Occasionally, the first ATM (or 3) you come across is out of order, so I always arrive in Europe with some money to get me started.

Keep all of this money in your moneybelt ;-)