EUROS?

Absolutely not. Your best bet is as soon as you land wherever in Europe and hopefully you will have a debit card that you will go to the nearest ATM in the airport and draw out Euros - best way to go all around. Highly recommend that you use a debit card in Europe to secure cash from ATMs.

I agree with Wes. There are always ATM machines in the airports.

Notify your bank of your departure and return dates. Then reconfirm they have that information a week before your departure.

Check your daily limit as you may want to set it higher. Then when you run low take out enough money for several days.

Keep your extra money and cards in a money belt.

Thanks. I have checked with my bank, and they only charge a 1% fee.

Personally, I always take a hundred or so Euro in -- mostly left over from the last trip -- so I don't have to find the first ATM. Just one less thing to worry about on landing. But it most a matter of personal preference. Either approach works.

Just returned from my Credit Union. I just bought 3000 Euro to take with me to France next week. I paid 1.193. No extra charges, no fees, etc. I was charged the bank rate that was available on Monday or Tues., whichever day and time the order was processed. Now, no looking for ATM's, at the airport, etc.
Got enough to pay for the apartment and extra cash for food, shopping, etc. I will get more cash first of July when my retirement check arrives while I am in Paris. Probably will only do one ATM withdrawl while in Europe. Saves time, trouble and fees, etc.

The only time I get Euros ahead of time is if I will need a large amount of cash (above the daily ATM withdrawel limit) on arrival. Sometimes people need to pay cash for a weekly apartment rental, an ATM won't work for that type of cash need.

All other times, I pick it up as I go. I withdraw a large amount (close to the daily limit) to reduce the overall number of withdrawel fees. There are ATMs everywhere, not only in airports and train stations but in and around medieval town centers too.

I carry cash in pouch, under clothes. Keep cc there too. Safest place I know, other than a bank and talking to my mother, who lived through the depression, banks are not real safe either. Hence, mother almost never used a bank unless she had to. I have two large rental payments to make, and with 4 - 500E notes, do not have a lot of bulk, like I would do with ATMs plus no one sees me withdrawing that much cash.

Thanks. You all have great advice.