how much money should i take?

No one can answer that question without knowing your travel style. That is 37 Euro a day. My first reaction is probably not enough since we often spend over a 100 E a day and we skip a lot of lunches. However, if you are planning to buy nearly all you meals at the supermarket, avoid pricey entrance fees for museums, etc., and walk nearly everything -- that is probably adequate.

I take only about $50 for use in the USA,if the need arises, and use my ATM card and/or credit cards in Europe. ATM'c are everywhere, have a selection key for English language, and dispense the cash of the country you are in. Credit cards are readily accepted in most places. Using your cards saves the hassle of trying to convert US dollars in a bank or worse yet an Exchange and are cheaper in fees and exchange rates.

Do you really mean "allow" vs "take" in your subject?

Last year we went to England, when the pound = $2. Our cost per day was right at $200/day for two people. That included all expenses except air fare. We are not big spenders for lodging or meals.

As for "how much we take", normally about $50 for use in US airports. Normally we don't take any European currency. We just stop at the first ATM.

thanks for the info. I didn't know ATMs were so readily available in Central europe. So does anyone bother with getting alot of cash money (EUROS) or just use the plastic?

Just use the plastic. But be sure to inform your bank that you will be using your cards outside the US so they don't freeze your accounts the first time you try to withdraw currency.

The amount of cash one gets depends on how they pay for items. A lot of B&B's prefer that guests pay in cash. The same is true for the smaller businesses.

Using cash is usually cheaper in the long run as opposed to cc, due to the higher fees and sometimes higher conversion rates from cc companies. Check in other areas of this forum for more postings on cash vs cc. There have been many discussions about it.

We prefer to use cash, therefore I withdraw the maximum that I can get from an ATM.

I guess it all comes down to what you want to do. Whatever you do, be sure to notify your bank/cc company that you will be going to Europe and making purchases.

Mr. Tom info is a little misleading. The currency conversion rate is the same for debit and credit cards. The conversion rate is determined by the network. After that, ALL fees are determined by the credit/debit card issuer. My credit card (0 fees) is actually cheaper than my debit card (3%). I working to find a zero fee debit card.

thanks for all the helpful comments. I am glad i have a place to ask these "silly" questions.

You'll have no problems with the 50 dollar/day budget as long as you make your own picnic lunches, limit museums and entrance fees and limit souvenier buying. In Budapest I ate alot of Langos as it was very cheap and very filling. Prague has overpriced restaurants if you don't search for the cheap ones. I have been able to do a lot of Central and Eastern Europe 70-80 dollars a day and that included my accomodation and reservations for trains (have pass).

I wouldn't say necessary but it may work for you.

I see no problem with just using an ATM at the airport but if you want to arrive with some euros that's fine too.

People advise against changing all your money in the US because you get a worse exchange rate which can add up if you change a lot of money (and if you really cahnge all your money you have the issue of carrying thousands in cash.) But for €100 it will only cost you an extra $1 or so - are you're willing to pay that premium for the convenience of arriving with euros?

I'm kind of wondering if it's necessary to convert maybe $100USD to Euros before leaving for Athens to cover incidentals. Maybe it's just better to use the ATM once I get there, though... I "hear" that conversion is more favorable out there, but wonder if a few euro is advisable before landing. My layover is in PHL, so layover incidentals would be in USD. Boyfriend laysover in AMS, so he would be using Euro for layover incidentals. Any thoughts?

I never convert money here and take it there. Besides, how many banks here in Vancouver will sell me Czech crowns? I always hit the first ATM at the airport at the city I arrive.

Now that so many countries use the Euro (but not all, and two of the countries you will visit do not), I just keep my euros for the next trip.