How does anyone deal with multiple currencies and denominations?

London- very hard to find anyone who even wants to take cash. Just use a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. At most £30 pounds cash from ATM, but I doubt you’ll use it.
Paris and Vienna- Euros. Once again, mostly a cashless society….. just get a small amount of Euros from ATM when there.
Prague. Only cash I used was for tips.

You might be surprised just how little cash is used these days.

That's only three currencies - pounds, koruna and euros, so not exactly difficult. I'm not sure what you're worried about- people do it all fhe time.

London is almost entirely card based, including for markets. I travel there four to five times a year, and have not used cash for years (although I do carry a little just in case).

My husband keeps the currencies in small leather zipper bags, one for each, and we’ve often use four: $, £,€ and CHF in a trip. We just switch currencies between our wallets and the zipper bags as needed. No big hassle. And as mentioned, tap and go it\s the name of the game most places now.

The harder thing is figuring out what you’ve spent by reconciling to your home currency. I started using TravelSpend last year and love that I have instantaneous conversion. At the end of the trip, all my expenditures are converted and categorized.

I solve this issue by not using cash.

I do not carry a wallet. I have a small card holder, that contains a debit and a credit card, my ID, my health insurance card, and tucked away in it is a 100 Euro note for emergencies.
I discovered that many places in the Netherlands are card only nowadays. And even in Germany I encountered places like that. There are a few places that do advertise "Cash Only". These will just have to do without my business.

It’s nice to have some cash on you, but you shouldn’t need a lot nowadays. If you don’t want to use ATM machines and you’re AAA member, you can withdraw currency before leaving home. To stay organized, carry snack-size plastic baggies and put a sticky note with the name of the currency in each bag.

Having a chuckle here 'cause my first go at Europe was with a traveling choir back in 1973; I'd just turned 18. That trip included Greece (Greek Dracma), Italy (Italian Lire), Germany (Deutsche Mark ), Austria (Austrian schilling), Netherlands (Dutch guilder) and England (Pound sterling). Also what was then Yugoslavia, although we weren't there long enough to have to really bother with its currency.

No ATMs back then, didn't have a credit card, and keeping the money straight was interesting! I was using Laurel's husband's method of individual pouches, and trying to spend all the coin of one currency before moving on to the next 'cause you couldn't exchange those. Anyway, with just 3 currencies to work with, plus cards, you'll be fine. :O)

(I'm still a fan of cash for a number of situations but am pretty much a complete dork so there ya go.)

Probably worth adding, I always have several cards with me (usually 2-3 credit cards.and 2-3 debit cards). Some in my wallet, some in a secure place in my carryon. Just in case a card is lost/stolen/compromised or just not accepted.

The answer, as alluded to by others, is that your credit card takes care of it all, no worries.

That said, if I am someplace a week or more, I like to have a little local cash, I just use a convenient ATM, but in London the last time, for a few days, I avoided using any cash, Czechia, I would attempt the same, Euros? I always have some on me when I travel, but the euro covers so many countries and I travel often to Europe.

If you have some cash, I figure about 50 euro per person is a nice amount, it can buy you dinner or a few beers if you stumble on a cash only place (maybe more common in Germany). Don't worry too much about denominations, even a fifty is not difficult to break, but I do like to have some 10's and a few euro coins.

While on a Danube River cruise (Bucharest to Budapest) some years ago, with stops in Romaina, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, our breakfast conversation was a currency "show and tell". I arranged to have local cash thanks to AAA and I photocopied images with approximate U.S. dollar values as a tool. Our visits, mostly in rural regions of each country made credit card use difficult.
Bulgarian currency is especially attractive.

Go to TRAVEL TIPS - MONEY here on the site.

No need to carry all those denominations. Your best exchange rate is always at a local bank ATM - NOT an exchange kiosk.

Use your Debit Card at an ATM when you need cash.

Most places will take a CC, just be sure it's a NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE CC.

We always take out some cash as some restaurants & coffee shops, etc want cash only, but for the most part, we use our CC.

Adding on to Laurel’s post. These zippered coin purses work great for different currencies. Take one for each currency. Or when you’re done with one currency, put the leftovers in a pill size ziplock bag to bring home for another trip or donate it to a church,
I use two or three when traveling depending on where I’m going. No wallet; USD has it’s own coin purse for transit. These will hold your daily credit and cash.

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/travel-wallet

I stay in a couple B&Bs that only take cash. For those I get € or £ from my BAC account and take it with me IN MY MONEY BELT. It’s just easier for me. Any other cash is from an ATM.

Last trip I used the free version of TravelSpend to track expenses. Much easier than pen and paper or notes app. It will convert currencies for you and allows you to categorize expenses.

Everything in the post above is conventional wisdom. While correct, technically, none of it has much impact on the total cost of a $10,000 holiday for two. On the contrary, all the people do and dont do to save $3.00 can put a crimp on the fun.

Minimize your cash, cause you just won't need much but its nice to have some for an emergency. Pay cash for that last cup of coffee at the train station or airport and try to use up the left overs there. Or, contribute it to a charity or homeless person. Heck, you can afford it. Worst case, you have a $10 souvenir... frame it.

I'm the outlier here- it's interesting how our travel philosophies likely mirror our usual preparedness at home.
I take a hefty first aid kit- with oximeter, it weighs a pound! But I appreciate knowing I have supplies that work for me and offer 24/7 access. (On a recent tour a member's partner was up all night with horrible food poisoning symptoms. They hadn't even brought a bandaid, planning to 'get it there if needed'. Local pharmacies, an hour away, was closed Sundays...)
I have the same feeling about ATMs in an infrastructure failure (it happens) and 0 local currency on hand. It's worth my peace of mind for the fee to have $100 equivalent - and in small bills- since places don't take $ they likely won't be able to change your $100 bill).
True- in Scotland, on a remote island, even the rest area bathroom had the option of card payment! But I was the only one with coins and the card reader wasn't working...
I use little baggies, too, if more than one currency is required. Towards the end of a trip I start using that cash. It's also great at the airport duty free. This past trip I ended up with 5 pence left over.
Everyone is different, of course, just another option to consider.

Bon Voyage, you aren't an outlier, you are part of the silent majority that carries their passport, looks nice at the Opera, leaves tips where appropriate and generally enjoys life. Okay, 3 out of 5 maybe.

Richardtausch100,

Maddening indeed! Per usual Carol’s advice was spot on though. And so was everybody else’s — until me.

Back in the good old days before currencies and textiles, you used to be able to travel and go the opera wearing a bearskin and nobody expected a tip in local money nor gave you the stink-eye for not wearing tails and a top hat. Of course nobody had a good time back then. Fun wasn’t invented until the Habsburgs came to power!

On the positive side Richard, all those cities you are going to see are fantastic! You’ll have a great time!

Happy travels!

When I traveled before the Euro, I'd exchange one currency for the next one. The coins I'd try to spend before leaving that country, which could be hard because you saved coins for toilets or subways. If I would run low, I'd dip into the $s I had to exchange for more currency.
The airport and airplanes had buckets to donate your left over coins/bills before flying home. I now save most Euros and Pounds, because I'll be back. I use ziplock baggies for each currency, both while traveling and at home.

We were just in London, we didn't have pounds in advance and didn't withdraw any during our 8 day stay. Paid everything with a credit card. I would imagine its the same in the other cities, which I've visited, but not recently.

If for some reason, you did need cash, ATMs are readily available. Use a bank affiliated ATM. I wouldn't advise a currency exchange. Its typically not the best, economically.

When I was in numerous countries way back in 1975, I had a small coin purse that I carried the current country’s currency. I moved the leftover money to envelopes.

When I will be in Italy, Czech & Hungary next May, I will go to an ATM at each country (except I have leftover Euros) or I might acquire the minimum from my bank ahead of time. I typically use my ApplePay on my phone for 95% of the transactions in Europe now, but there are a few times where I need cash. Plan to use up most of your cash the last day you’re in that country - meals, your Christmas souvenirs. Or, if you know someone is traveling there after you return - your local RS travel group, etc. you may be able to sell leftover currency to help them arrive with a little cash.

I will be going to three countries’ Christmas Markets this year. Thankfully they are all on Euros, but I am planning to have some cash - more than usual, because I assume there will be stalls which don’t do ApplePay for everything, and I don’t want to be needing an ATM or worse - using an ATM in a location where it’s obvious I just acquired cash.

Welllll--I never use a credit card!

99% of the time I stay in apts and they are prepaid though booking.com. My bus/train travel is fairly set in stone due to where I am traveling to and from and the specific times I want/need so I buy those before I leave. Solo traveler with apt so eat at home (we don't need to get into the discussion of my missing out on food experiences), timed museum entrance tickets are also paid before travel, so that leaves groceries, AM cappuccino and croissant and PM gelato. FM's generally want cash.

I am of an age where most local transportation is free so I usually wait till I get to my apt to change money at a bank ATM. Will do 7 countries/7 currencies starting Tuesday and have money holders for each one with a wallet to use for the currency of the country I am in.

I don't live in the US and although credit cards are widely accepted, I try to support my local vendors and cash is the way to go. And this way my trip is almost prepaid before I go and I don't have credit card bills waiting for me when I get home. I travel to Europe twice a year and will be changing that to 3x a year and this works for me.

Traveling is much easier now than 30 years ago. At the time in Europe there were multiple currencies, credit card use was not so universal, there were travellers cheques with problems on their own. There were also the East Europe currencies with a double exchange rate (official and black market), that were absolutely worthless out of their home countries. I still have a box full of banknotes in no more existing currencies.
At present my policy is withdrawing from an ATM something like 80/100 euros in local currency. This is usually overkill as most things are paid with credit cards (in China with Alipay). If any money is left I keep it for a following trip, in which case often there is no need to withdraw at all.

I’m one who cheered the ongoing move toward a cashless payment system. As I write this I’m on a small ship heading toward another Greek island. In both Greece and Türkiye at restaurants we were asked whether we wanted to pay in cash or CC. I did not ask what the discount is for cash payment but I have a few more days and I will. First time in many years I’ve found a reason to use cash.

Question for Alan or anyone knowledgeable - are you saying that you suspect there is a discount in Türkiye or Greece for paying in cash? I will be visiting those countries next month - November. My plan was to take no cash. I will be on a guided tour with most, but not all, meals included. During my 2024 & 2025 trips to Puglia, London, Paris and Tuscany, the merchants frowned on customers wanting to pay with cash. They often did not have change for small purchases. Ex: purchasing a 1€ post card using a 5€. The only option was to add 4 more post cards I did not want or pay 5€ for the 1€ souvenir. I hope you will provide some advice after your travels through Türkiye and Greece. I have left cash for the hotel houskeeping staff but on my upcoming trip the tips are already included in the tour price. Thank you in advance and happy travels.

I cannot beleive and did not expect to have SO MANY great responses with tips and advice that I will distill into practical uses on my vacation. I don't think I have ever seen a more perfect information site/message board than this one. Thanks for the great input and some nice eye-openers that I consider useful and what I need from those that have travelled in Europe. I have never been there and these guidlines are gold to me!

Warm thoughts,
Richard

"are you saying that you suspect there is a discount in Türkiye or Greece for paying in cash?"

Can't comment on Greece, but it's common for Türkiye - likely because they're not paying tax on it. Seems less common in Istanbul (where most businesses seemed fine with card and happy to issue receipts) than elsewhere.

Ethically, your call.

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/cash-only-policy-spreads-in-turkiyes-major-tourist-hubs-stranding-card-users-3205315

Although my credit card provides perks for using it while traveling, I opted to use a Wise card on this latest trip. I was able to convert USD to any currency and vice versa to take advantage of favorable exchange rates (you do this in the app). The conversion fees are low and it was very easy to withdraw local currency cash from ATMs in Europe and avoid exorbitant fees since the conversion had already been done. I opened an account and had a physical card in hand in less than 2 weeks. I had leftover Euros and Swiss Francs and the Wise app allowed me to monitor conversion rates and exchange to Canadian for another trip when the rate was optimal. In addition, you can just load what you need for a few days and top it off as needed which is peace of mind if you are concerned about pickpockets - keep your main credit cards in your moneybelt and the Wise card can stay accessible with lower financial risk.

@Sarah K, I've been considering WISE for a couple years now. I'm not sure how it would benefit me, but I may be missing something. When you talk about exorbitant conversion fees at an ATM, I'm not sure what you mean. For an ATM, there is often a transaction fee which many of us get reimbursed by our banks (for me Charles Schwab) At a bank affiliated ATM, if withdrawing in the local currency, its possible (and likely) that the bank may have an exchange rate that might be quite different than the "official" rate in the money markets. There the traveler can, if they want, check out a few different ATMs searching for a more favorable exchange rate.

With a credit card, the traveler should make sure that their card does not have a fee for foreign transactions. These are easy to find, at least for those of us that bank in the U.S. Then when the credit card is used, the traveler should make sure to pay in the local currency, NOT the traveler's home currency. There is no conversion fee. Increasingly, merchants are passing on a smallish percentage fee in an attempt to recoup the fees the credit card companies charge to merchant. These fees are typically between 1.5 and 3% of the transaction. I had been told when I considered WISE, that there might be a percentage added on to that, as well, but that might only be New Zealand.

My husband and I both have economics backgrounds and MBAs, I only bring this up because many in the field would say predictions of what foreign currencies will do can be difficult. How "good" is "good", will the currency get stronger? or weaker? etc. As many of us have seen, the strength of a country's currency can be related to economic and political factors.

As I continue to follow people's experiences in WISE, one advantage I've found, is that it can be used for bank transfers at a fee lower than what most banks charge. But, except for an unfortunate ticket for driving in Italy's pedestrian zone, I've rarely encountered a need for bank transfers. (And I've now found bank transfers are free - $15 thru Charles Schwab)

Some people can't get credit cards (students, low income, etc.) and I have to think WISE would be of great help.

Sarah, I'm not trying to dispute your experience for WISE, just trying to determine how it would benefit us, personally. People encouraged the use of WISE for our travels in New Zealand, but we had no issues using credit cards and determined, that WISE wouldn't help us or save us any money, and may have cost us more.

I have only ever juggled 2 currencies--and I like to have some cash as I love to visit flea markets and antique shops, and haggling is great but to then pull out a credit card just seems rude. More and more I just use my credit cards, but there are instances where cash is good to have.

I get perhaps the equivalent of $100 US each, and paperclip the cash I am not using. I bring a small ziplock bag to put any excess coins in and switch it out when I get to the new country. There are phone apps, but I always print a current wallet-size conversion chart from the Coinmill and stick a copy in my wallet as well as my travel notebook--this would be for unusual currencies like forints, korunas, zlotys, etc. That way I can immediately tell if the blouse or piece of jewelry I am thinking of buying costs $50 or $500...yes, I have had some surprises over the years!