Airport ATMs

Kay -

You will find that the ATMs will not have a service charge in Europe - but perhaps your local bank will charge you for the exchange as well as for not using one of their ATMs. It will be best to check with them regarding these cost.

Regarding exchange rate - the ATM exchange will be what is current for the day regardless of its location.

I would also select a "name brand" ATM... You can see the name brand ATMs are bigger and usually pushed against the wall with advertisements.

The currency rate is the same at all ATMs depending on the bank and day of rate.

I opened a "trip" account with my local Credit Union. Not only does a CU give a better deal, many won't ding you to death. And... opening a trip account will protect your account in case of fraud.

Kay, at both of the airports you mentioned there are plenty of Deutsche Bank ATMs that don't charge any fee to BoA customers. Your own bank will charge you a fee of 1-3% (depending on bank) service charge for converting the currencies BUT they will apply this charge on top of the book value of your currency and not the tourists rate of exchange which is much, much less favorable. The pros for withdrawing €uros in Germany over Italy is that Deutsche Bank does that for free for Bank of America customers whereas I'm not sure there is a bank in Italy who does it for free (anyone??). Other than that it doesn't matter where you get your €uros.

I have been to the Frankfurt airport 7 times in the last 5 years and have used different ATMs. I used my debit card and was only charged $3.00 per transaction.

Andreas is correct. Bank of America does have banking relationships with Deutsche Bank in Germany and I believe Barclay's in the UK. Free withdrawls. However, this relationship is good only in the bank's home country (Germany and England). Fees are charged outside of the home countries.

Also, we went through Frankfurt on our way to Florence. We were intending to find an ATM in the airport to withdraw our first Euros. Unfortunately, as we transitioned from the secure International area to the more local secure EU area, there were none. There were cigarette machines, however.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm glad to hear that European ATMs don't charge a transaction fee or a percentage change money. Fortunately, my bank here is a credit union which charges nothing whatsoever for any ATM use. I will probably change some money at the airport in Germany, but I'll pass on the cigarette machines.