Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
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Is it better to exchange currency in US or Europe?

Banks. Even if you want to exchange cash, it's generally better to do so in Europe. An exception would be if you believe the dollar's price will drop sharply while you're gone and you want to exchange before you go. Bank rates will vary and are on display in the street windows or near the teller window.
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What is the best way to get euros before traveling to Europe?

If you haven't packed your bags, you may have the time to get the best currency exchange rates before you leave. Many banks offer currency exchange to their customers. Though there may be a small fee, your bank or credit union will almost always be the best place to exchange currency (and the cheapest).
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Should you exchange currency before I travel?

Bottom line. Exchanging cash before traveling can be a bit of a minefield with bad rates and high fees commonplace. Ideally use a no foreign transaction fee card to pay for purchases abroad as much as possible, so you don't have to exchange the cash in the first place or handle a foreign currency throughout your trip.
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How much cash should you bring to Europe?

Make a Budget for Your Trip

As a rough estimation, budget $50-100 per person for each day that you will be away. This should cover your accommodation, food, drink and transportation costs. Of course, this number can vary according to the destination and your style of traveling.
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Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?



Is $100 a day enough for Europe?

You can easily eat up a $100 per day budget just on hotel costs alone in Western Europe. It's a good idea to get real-time prices since they change depending on season, holidays, economy, or simple inflation. Websites like AirBnB, Hostelworld, Trip Advisor, and Kayak can give you an idea of what to expect price-wise.
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Is it better to use debit card or cash abroad?

The main advantage of using a debit or credit card overseas is that you won't pay foreign transaction fees every time you spend. While many also won't charge fees for cash withdrawals, you will still usually be charged interest from the date of the transaction if you use a credit card.
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Should I exchange money before or after going abroad?

Although this depends on many factors, including which currencies you want to convert and which country you are travelling to, generally speaking exchanging your money AFTER you travel will provide you with a more favourable exchange rate. The rule is simple: the more common the currency is, the cheaper it will be.
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Is it better to exchange money in home country or abroad?

The best place to exchange money is a local ATM or a bank. Many foreign banks are happy to exchange your dollars for local currency for a better rate than you find elsewhere, or you can go to an ATM to skip the line.
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Is it better to exchange money at the airport or bank?

Exchange with your bank before you go

They'll even deliver it to you, and though you might still pay a fee, the exchange rate will be much better than at the airport.
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Is it better to pay in euros or dollars on credit card?

OK, the short answer is this: It's best to pay in local currency over US dollars when you're traveling abroad. Why? Because of a little something known as currency conversion fees.
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Is it a good time to buy euros 2021?

In 2021 and the beginning of 2022, the Pound to Euro rate has been trading near the top end of its 5-year trading range, meaning it's a good time to buy the Euro based on recent years.
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Is it better to exchange money or use credit card?

You should always opt to pay using the foreign currency when given the option between paying in your home currency or the foreign currency. The currency conversion rate that your card issuer will use is certainly going to be better than the conversion rate charged through dynamic currency conversion.
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Can I use American dollars in Europe?

If you're traveling to a foreign country that doesn't take U.S. dollars, it's best to do your currency exchange through your bank before your trip or at one of your bank's international locations to avoid those outrageous fees.
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Does my debit card work in Europe?

Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe.
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Does Europe accept American dollars?

Of course you can't pay with US dollars. I wouldn't expect being able to pay in Euros in USA either. When you withdraw money from an ATM or pay with a credit card, you do so usually at about the stock exchange rate. If you change cash in a bank, there is a higher selling rate and lower buying rate...
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What is the cheapest way to get euros?

5 Cheap Ways to Exchange Currency
  • Stop by Your Local Bank. Many banks and credit unions offer a foreign currency exchange service for a fee. ...
  • Visit an ATM. ...
  • Consider Getting Traveler's Checks. ...
  • Buy Currency at Your Foreign Bank Branch. ...
  • Order Currency Online.
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What is the best way to pay for things in Europe?

key takeaways
  1. European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way.
  2. Credit cards are generally accepted, especially in cities; but check with your card issuer about foreign transaction fees and currency exchange fees.
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What is the best way to use money in Europe?

The Best Debit Card to Use in Europe

In Australia, we tend to use debit cards to pay for all our day-to-day expenses. In Europe, while debit cards are still common, cash is still more popular for smaller items. Debit cards are most handy when you use them for withdrawing cash on the go.
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How can I avoid ATM fees in Europe?

Many international travelers encounter foreign transaction fees while making purchases or withdrawing cash from an ATM in a foreign country. The easiest way to avoid a foreign transaction fee is to use a debit or credit card that waives foreign transaction fees while traveling abroad.
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How much money should I save to backpack Europe?

Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.
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How long should you backpack Europe for?

Best Of Europe Mega Trip Itinerary (Travel Time: 8-10+ weeks) Eastern Europe MegaTrip Itinerary (Travel Time: 6-10 Weeks) Gateway to Eastern Europe Travel Itinerary (Travel Time: 2-4 Weeks)
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What is the cheapest time to travel to Europe?

The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December). It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.
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Is it cheaper to buy euros or use debit card?

Paying with your debit card is almost always cheaper than withdrawing money from it. Within the euro countries, paying with a debit card or credit card is free. Withdrawing money with your debit card in another European Union country does not cost more than it does in your home country.
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Is it cheaper to withdraw euros abroad?

Avoid exchanging money at airports and hotels - they usually have the worst rates. If you want to withdraw cash from an ATM when you're abroad, always do it in the local currency. This guarantees the mid-market rate.
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