Should I bring cash with me to Europe?
Don't Expect to Get Too Far Without Cash
Best bring as little cash as possible. Bring a debit card, they're widely accepted. Cash can only get lost or stolen and a growing number or places doesn't accept cash payments. It's cards only.
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.
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.
Payment options in Europe can vary greatly depending on which country you visit. In general, credit cards and travel cards are widely accepted, however, having cash on hand may also be required.
European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.
When I arrive in Europe, I head for an ATM at the airport, load up on cash, and keep it safe in my money belt. American credit cards work throughout Europe (at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies, and so on); Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted.
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.
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 do want to wait until you arrive in Europe to get your euros, a word of caution. It's not usually a good idea to exchange currency at the airport, or even at your hotel. These places are definitely convenient, but you're likely to pay a premium for it. Commission fees can be high and exchange rates unfavorable.
What is the cheapest way to get euros?
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.
A debit card could be a good alternative for making purchases. You can pay using money you already have, without carrying cash. Or you can use the card to withdraw cash. Bringing your debit card on a European trip can be especially helpful if you keep it in a separate place from where you store your credit card.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Most European countries use the Global System for Mobiles or GSM network, as do a whole heap of other countries around the world. This is one of the main reasons why, as long as your phone is operating on the same network, you shouldn't come across any usage issues when traveling.
The best place to exchange foreign currency in the U.S. is at your local bank or credit union before you leave for your trip.
Above all, cash reigns supreme mostly in the German-speaking countries. Austria and Germany showed a higher preference for cash payments when related to the other countries in the survey. Finland has far fewer people that prefer cash, at only 43%.
Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. For the best rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges.
Can I use my American debit card in Europe?
For credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, while American Express and Discover are less common. US debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo will work in any European ATM.
Virtually impossible to predict, we'd advise a figure roughly around €140 a day for spending money in Western Europe and about €60–140 a day for Eastern Europe. Budget Your Trip has thankfully provided a Travel Cost Index that maps out the average daily travel price of real travellers, per person per day.
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.
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So, how much money do you really need for 3 weeks in Europe? While it varies depending on your travel style and destination, a budget of around $2,000 - $5,000 USD should cover your expenses. Of course, this is just a rough estimate - the more you can save, the better!
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.
