How much cash should I take to Europe?
A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling. As with all things, research is your friend here. Understand where you're travelling and what the local customs regarding cash are.
Don't Expect to Get Too Far Without Cash
There's a lot that you can buy with a credit card in Europe, so bring at least one. But don't expect to get very far without a little cash, too—especially if you're a tourist. Transportation services, such as taxis and buses, often require local currency.
You can usually get cash from ATMs easily, but still it is worthwhile having a backup in cash of emergencies. It's often more cost-effective to exchange a small amount of euros in America for initial expenses and then withdraw euros from ATMs in Europe for a better exchange rate and lower fees.
If you're flying to Europe all the way from the US, it's unlikely that you'll be staying just a couple of nights. If you're planning a 3-week break, a good starting point to calculate how much spending money you need is the $100-per-day rule of thumb. So for a three-week trip, you'll be needing over $2,000.
It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.
The amount of money you should bring on a trip to Europe for two weeks can vary depending on your travel style and destination. However, a general rule of thumb is to budget around $100-150 per day for transportation, accommodation, food, and activities.
Best place to exchange currency: Your bank or credit union
Many banks offer currency exchange to their customers. Though there may be a small fee if you exchange less than a certain amount, your bank or credit union will almost always be the cheapest place to exchange currency.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they must 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.
- Keep your belongings safe in crowded areas with our expert tips.
- Leave some items in the hotel safe so that you don't have to carry everything with you.
- Keep your money close with a money belt.
- Always try to visit ATMs within banks while travelling.
In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. When buying in advance, get just enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day's worth of emergency expenses.
How much cash should I take internationally?
A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling. As with all things, research is your friend here. Understand where you're travelling and what the local customs regarding cash are.
Ordering currency from your bank before you travel is almost always better than using the airport currency exchange. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
For a 7-11 day Europe trip, I bring $200-$300 Euros in cash. I find it less stressful to order Euros from my bank a few weeks before my trip, so I have local cash upon arrival. The exchange rate is usually better this way. While you can exchange money at the airport, I recommend this alternative.
Are these rules new? No. These rules have been in effect since 1st Jan 2022, however when it was first introduced it was just £85 (€100) a day per person. In 2023, the amount was around £93 (€108) a day.
Bring 100€-200€ in cash with you to Paris to cover small expenses, tips, and perhaps a cab ride into the city. Use a credit or debit card from a bank with low or no foreign transaction fees to charge most other purchases while in Paris, such as restaurant meals and any shopping you might do.
Bring $100-200 USD cash, but keep it stashed away and don't change into Euro. It's only to be used as a fallback if every ATM in the country is out of order at the same time. Use ATMs to withdraw Euro from cash machine in the airport upon arrival, and replenish your Euro supply at an ATM when you run low.
What is the cheapest way to get euros in the US? You'll need to compare exchange rates and fees for your bank with currency exchange services such as CXI. But a travel card such as the Wise international debit card can be a cheaper option, offering low fees and fairer, margin-free exchange rates.
Here is an overview of what two weeks in Europe on a high budget may look like: Accommodation: 200 Euros per night for 14 nights = 2,800 Euros. Food: 80 Euros per day for 14 days = 1,120 Euros. Transportation: 30 Euros per day for 14 days = 420 Euros.
How Much Spending Money for One Week in Europe? This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.
| USD | EUR |
|---|---|
| 25 USD | 23.34 EUR |
| 50 USD | 46.69 EUR |
| 100 USD | 93.39 EUR |
| 500 USD | 466.97 EUR |
How to avoid ATM fees in Europe?
- Find a bank account that doesn't charge them. Some banks—particularly digital-only ones—offer a number of free withdrawals every month.
- Stick to bank-owned ATMs. ...
- Be tactical with withdrawals. ...
- Pay by debit card where you can.
Generally speaking, you are better off by simply using you debit card to withdraw local currency when you arrive at the airport. You get a poor rate of exchange whether you are using an exchange office or your bank before you leave. ATM rates tend to be as good as you are going to get.
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.
The euro as the official currency
Within the euro area, the euro is the only legal tender. In the absence of a specific agreement concerning the means of payment, creditors are obliged to accept payment in euros. Parties may also agree to transactions using other official foreign currencies (e.g. the US dollar).
The best option is to use your credit card while you are traveling and to withdraw money at a foreign ATM, if you can, to obtain cash. Other options include using a Travelex card or exchanging money at your local bank before you leave. 1.
