cash to Euros

Many airports will have a currency exchange booth BUT you will generally get a very poor exchange rate and/or extra fees. An ATM will give you cash at a better rate. If you check the airport website, you can usually find a map of the terminal that shows where they are located.

You never want to convert greenbacks for Euros. Every time you use a person to do any currency exchange, they're either going to knock your head off on the exchange rate or in service fees.
Just withdraw funds from your checking account with a regular U.S. ATM card from a bank ATM machine upon your arrival.

Any major international EU airport is going to have currency exchange businesses in the Arrivals Hall near where you first enter the unsecured area after going through Baggage Claim/Passport Control/Customs. As has been stated, the exchange rate will be terrible. Is there a reason why you won't be using a Debit Card at the ATMs?

hi, if you want to have euros before you go, check where you do you banking on their fees/charges ect to "buy" euros. they wont shoot you if you ask. happy trails.

Call your bank and see what their fees are for using ATM's in Europe. If they are higher than you like (for instance, Chase in NYC charges me $3 plus 3% for each foreign ATM withdrawal), open a checking account at TD Bank (branches all over New Jersey). The fee is only $2 per foreign withdrawal with the $100 minimum account; if you get the account with a $2500 minimum, it's $0. I've been very pleased with them for foreign ATM withdrawals. And, as said above, even a "high fee" ATM withdrawal in Europe will get you a better deal than changing US cash dollars (either in the US or in Europe). Here are Rick's excellent tips on money. Read them all, and you'll be an expert: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/money-travel-tips.htm