Using swiss francs in Germany

Unless you are right on the border, I don't think you will find Germans accepting Swiss Francs. Do businesses in Oklahoma take Mexican Pesos?

Once, before the change to the Euro, I paid for my dinner in Salzburg with German Mark, and I a got a terrible exchange rate. I think that is what will happen in Germany with Swiss Francs. It they take them it will be at a very unfavorable exchange rate. You would be better off exchanging them at a bank, if you can.

Thanks, and yes, some places in Oklahoma probably would take pesos!

No, they only take Euros.
You can exhange them at a bank in Germany if it's worth to carry coins.

I did get a toll bridge in Australia (about 75km north of Sydney) to take US currency once because I hadn't been to an ATM yet - but that's not the best way to plan your trip. The attendant probably paid with her own money and kept my money as a souvenir.

On a recent trip while still at the airport in Europe somewhere...probably Germany, we watched some Americans from one of those mass tour groups walk up to the counter and try to buy a sandwich/drink with US Dollars. Of course the lady at the counter didn't want US Dollars and didn't take them. But the elderly American guy insisted that he only had US Dollars and never really comprehended the fact that the lady at the counter was NOT going to take his dollars. She was very very nice and kept saying No US Dollars only Euros.

I don't know why it's such a strange concept to some people to use the native currency when in a particular country. How many US Merchants have you seen taking Swiss Francs and Euros and Pound Sterling lately? I'm sure there might be 1 or 2 mom and pop establishments that might be interested in Euros, but far and wide in the US they want US Dollars.

If I were a business, I certainly would not accept Euros from a tourist, because it is difficult to exchange them in the USA. Banks give a terrible rate when you are buying Dollars with Euros.

If you find individuals who will take your dollars, it is usally because they are planning a trip to the US and thus, don't mind "buying" your dollars off of you. They aren't going to give you a good rate though.

From my experience, banks will not exhange coins in foreign currency, only bills. Save your coins for your next trip to Switzerland.

Tim, I'm with you. Unfortunately, I think some Americans feel the world revolves around the US and everyone should accommodate us! Thank goodness, these people are in the minority but they come off as ignorant and uninformed.

Thanks everyone for your comments. As a first time traveler to Europe and not knowing anything about traveling in Europe, it's good to know I can ask for help and get it.

I'll be in St. Petersburg, Russia this summer. Interestingly the tour operator allows me to pay with a credit card or will take Euros or Dollars. They will only take $50 and $100 bills though. I'll probably pay cash to avoid transaction fees on my card. I think this is unique to Russia and probably only certain tourist centered businesses.

We once owned a business in Spokane and took Canadian currency when we needed to as part of doing business close to the border. When needed, I called the bank to get buy rate for the day and converted the customer's Canadian dollars at that rate. If you're close to the Swiss border, it's possible you will find merchants like this.

I can't imagine accepting Mexican Pesos or other currency though.

Banks will convert bills above a certain face value, as long as they're in good condition. Coins are pretty much worthless except as souvenirs.

Some people in Russia accept US Dollars and Euros, because 1)it is very easy to rip off tourists on the exchange rate as you "do them a favour" of converting the currency by yourself, or 2)even if you don't scam your customer, USD/EUR is a valuable currency against the Ruble. It is very easy to exchange if need be. From personal experience, a lot of people stash away dollars/euros in cash, or even privarely trade goods for these currencies, because it's likely to always be far more valuable than the Ruble.

forget it you cannot!!!