Can someone suggest the best place to buy Euro with he best rate before I leave in 2-weeks. I would like to but maybe $500 worth so I have money when I arrive ?
Posted by
Freedonia
16004 posts
You'll probably get about 11 people posting telling you why you shouldn't buy Euros here and wait to use the ATM once in Europe because you will save about $5.
I always make sure I have at least $100 of the local currency on me when I arrive so I don't have to rely on the airport ATM.
I find the best exchange rate at my local bank. The ATM's in Europe give a better rate so you may not want to get $500. 1 or $200 should be enough unless you have a reason to have that much cash on you for day one. (Some banks require a few days to get foreign currency so don't wait until the last minute.)
Posted by
OP
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
18 posts
Thanks very much Frank. I will do exactly that.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Wells Fargo takes the money directly out of our account and usually has the best rates. I too like to take some cash with me so that I'm not anxious while trying to use the atm with jetlag. US Bank would do the same here but the rates aren't as good. Because we live in a small valley it usually takes at least a week to get our cash--in the past any way. For the last 4 years I've made sure to have left over euro for our next trip so that I don't have to bother with the bank.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
If you haven't already, you should read "ATM's-Minimizing the Fees" elsewhere on the "Graffiti Wall".
Having taken 7 RS tours the last 7 years, I have never had a problem finding plenty of ATMs at my arrival airport (knock on wood)! If you must purchase E's here before you go, be sure to shop around and ask for the place's bottom line price so you don't get stuck with additional transaction fees.
Posted by
Boston
12 posts
I use Bank of America, which offers fee-free ATMs in select countries with select banks (listed on their website--countries include Canada, France, England, and others). Otherwise, the ATM fee is the cost of the euros plus 3% plus a $5 withdrawal fee. If I'm going to a non-free ATM country, I'll usually buy them ahead of time. The fee is the cost of the euro plus 5%, and if you spend more than $1000, the $7 delivery fee is waived. Buying them ahead of time is slightly more expensive, unless you run into ATMs that limit your withdrawals to 300 euros or less, in which case purchasing them ahead of time works out to be cheaper.