Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?
Avoid (or at least minimize) cash exchange.
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. So, it's worth avoiding it unless you're really stuck.
Because of high currency exchange fees, you should exchange currency before traveling and know where to go to save on the fees once you are abroad. Read the tips below so you can exchange your money at the best rates while saving money on your international trip.
It's generally a good idea to exchange currencies before traveling to ensure that you have some money available when landing in a different country.
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.
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.
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.
Because merchants pay commissions to credit-card companies, small European businesses (B&Bs, mom-and-pop cafés, gift shops, and more) often prefer that you pay in cash. Vendors might offer you a discount for paying with cash, or they might not accept credit cards at all.
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.
How much is $100 euros in US dollars?
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.
| USD | ITL |
|---|---|
| 100 USD | 181,168 ITL |
| 500 USD | 905,839 ITL |
| 1,000 USD | 1,811,680 ITL |
| 5,000 USD | 9,058,390 ITL |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Average cost of meals
An average estimate is also about 20 Euros per meal. Lunch and breakfast are usually cheaper than dinner, especially if drinks are involved. In Western Europe, you'll easily spend 20 Euros on just breakfast or lunch with a coffee or drink. Dinner could be 30 or 40 Euros with wines and co*cktails.
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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!
| Expense | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Local transportation | $0 to $30 per day, depending on whether you walk, drive, or use public transportation |
| Food & drink | $25 to $100 per day, depending on whether you are cooking or eating out |
| Attractions | $0 to $100 per day |
| Spending money | $0 to $100 per day |
Always bring some local currency with you before you get on the plane, and have it exchanged at your own bank if they can help you. When traveling never exchange money if you can help it. Simply use your own ATM card to withdraw cash from banks that are part of the ATM network.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Paris?
Don't go to your bank and exchange all your money before your France or European trip. You will probably pay a higher rate than necessary, and you don't want to be running around with all that cash in your wallet. Don't exchange money at the bureau de change or such at the airport or in tourist areas.
Exchange Currency at the Airport
Exchanging your money at an airport is often the best choice. This is because the exchanges at the airport are always guaranteed to hold foreign currency for you. Unlike banks that may need to order cash for you, airport exchanges have everything on hand.
I've visited Europe several times, and here are my personal #travel tips. 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.
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.
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. Go "contactless." Get comfortable using contactless pay options.
