Greetings all:
I'm going on a European cruise. I've recently notice that with the exception of Finland (which uses the euro), every Scandanavian country has its own currency.
I dont want to exchange currency multiple times or hit the ATM daily for a small amount of local currency. That only makes the bank rich. Anybody know if the Euro, Pound, or Dollar are commonly accepted in Scandanavia?
Rick
In Scandinavia, you will need to convert to the local currency or use a credit card where they are accepted. Bankomats (ATMs) are easy to find.
Hi Rick, I agree. I was there 2 summers ago and had to ATM/cc it! No way are they going to take dollars. Just get a card that doesn't use bank w/drawal fees (i.e. fidelity) or low fees (i.e. wash mutual). Have fun!
Greetings
Touristy places will sometimes take Euros, but you'll get a really bad exchange rate. Better to get a small amount of currency - it will work out much better than to get nailed on a store exchange rate.
I exchanged Euros to kroner here in Denmark last week, and the bank sure isn't getting rich from the tiny amount they charged as a fee.
Kate
We spent a month in Scandinavia in 2004, and our experience with cash was somewhat different from what other people are posting. Large enterprises, e.g., supermarkets or department stores, accepted euros and the bills (not coins) of the other Scandinavian countries. I don't remember that we ever tried US$. The clerks had some kind of chart on which they checked what your change should be in the local currency and gave you that. I would guess that they'd accept pounds, as well. I think you should use your cc as much as possible and ask about using euros when you want to do cash.
Thanks for the replies. Since I'm on a cruise, I think I'll hit the ATM for local currency and take Pound Sterling and Euro travelers checks as we are spending pre-cruise time in Britain, France and Germany.
We are spending 8 hours most ports. Take Stockholm, the only stop in Sweden. We may or may not want to buy anything, and if we don't there is no need for Swedish currency at all.
Rick
Rick, you might want to do a search on this site about travellers checks (use the box in the upper right hand corner). Many opinions about them, but they are no longer the easiest item to get cashed overseas (and bad exchange rates to boot). You might also want to check with your cruise company to find out what sort of exchange rates they offer on board (my guess: bad ones, use an ATM in port).
Thanks for the tip CL. I had no idea that travelers checks were antiquated. I was going to buy travelers checks becasue I do not have a credit card, the ship will want a several thousand dollar deposit for on board expenses and I do not want to carry that kind of cash. I suppose I should confirm with the cruise line that they will take travelers checks for a deposit.
I suppose I'll take some US dollar in my wallet, pull some Pound Sterling out of an ATM at LHR and euro from an ATM when I hit France.
Rick
