Cheapest place in USA to convert USD to cold hard EURO cash!

[ViviTheMage]

I am going to Europe in the winter and I would probably want some EUROE cash before I leave america....for a taxi out of gatwick, or something along those lines.

Is it cheaper to convert it now, or to wait until I am there to convert USD to EURO ?

 

[bGIveNs33]

you can just get some at the ATM at the airport.

 

[ElFenix]

they don't use EUROs in england.

 

[SSSnail]

I usually get money from the exchanges at the airport. Shop around, they have different rates because they are actually competitors. It's gonna break my heart when I less money back than what I handed them, that's why I don't like flying to EU much. Speaking of which, I need to pack, flying to Maastricht tomorrow...

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they don't use EUROs in england.

yous ure? I guess ill have to grab some pounds when in London...after that ill be in brussels for new years then paris for the remaining days.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: SSSnail
I usually get money from the exchanges at the airport. Shop around, they have different rates because they are actually competitors. It's gonna break my heart when I less money back than what I handed them, that's why I don't like flying to EU much. Speaking of which, I need to pack, flying to Maastricht tomorrow...

lucky SOB!

friend of mine was in europe a few years ago when the euro just came out...and he found he had 200 euro stashed somewhere! Which means he paid like 1:1 exchange rate back then.

have fun in Maastricht

Are local banks better for conversion, or still airports?

 

[FoBoT]

no
just use the ATM at the airport

and use your CC as much as possible while you are there, you won't need that much cash

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they don't use EUROs in england.

lollerskates

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they don't use EUROs in england.

lollerskates

that's what I thought thanks .

Originally posted by: FoBoT
no
just use the ATM at the airport

and use your CC as much as possible while you are there, you won't need that much cash

I plan on it..but when I take a taxi from the airport to my hotel id like to have cash for them...as well id like to have cash for tips/eating out IF needed.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they don't use EUROs in england.

yous ure? I guess ill have to grab some pounds when in London...after that ill be in brussels for new years then paris for the remaining days.

Yes, we're sure. England still uses the pound.

 

[FoBoT]

yes, cash for cabs and pubs
that is about it, everywhere else will take CC

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: ElFenix
they don't use EUROs in england.

lollerskates

They still use the pound in England...

 

[davestar]

if your bank is BofA, try to find a Deutschebank ATM - no fees.

damn it would've been funny if the OP'ed gone off to London loaded down with euros

 

[LS20]

i prefer not to carry wad of cash around
if you have a capital one visa, use that in europe for no fees at all
or for currency, wait til you get to the airport, or in town, and withdraw some money... a dollar here a dollar there and a few sub-point percentage rate different wont kill you

 

[Rumpltzer]

I only travel in Asia, so my experience is only based on Asian countries... and a lot of Asian countries tend not to like credit cards so much.

I use to exchange money in the airport when I showed up overseas. The exchange rates are much, much better over there and the fees are not absurd like in the American airports.

In December of last year, Citbank stopped charging fees and gives as good a rate as can be had if you use your Citibank ATM card in a Citibank ATM anywhere in the world. There's an ATM in the Tokyo airport subway station. There are Citibanks in Taiwan. There are Citibanks in Hong Kong. You can look up Citibank ATM locations on their Web site.

Most Credit cards don't give a very good exchange rate. On top of that, they bury in an extra 1% or 1.5% fee into that exchange rate that you don't really notice unless you do some calculations when your statement shows up. Capital One is on of the card companies that doesn't charge additional overseas conversion fees. I own one Capital One card that I use exclusively for overseas purchases.

Have fun!

 

[Shawn]

Prepare to bend over.

 

[freegeeks]

go to ATM, get money with cc

be prepared to be scared away by the UK prices, even we euro guys are sometimes baffled how expensive the UK and especially London is. It is going to hurt as hell

 

[CaffeineAndStuff]

If you're staying near gatwick then sure - take a taxi. But if you're heading into London, take the Gatwick Express or a local train into London.
Gatwick is miles out of London - and if you're thinking of taking a cab into the city you will have a major shock at the cost (about 70GBP = 140USD)

 

[SSSnail]

Originally posted by: CaffeineAndStuff
If you're staying near gatwick then sure - take a taxi. But if you're heading into London, take the Gatwick Express or a local train into London.
Gatwick is miles out of London - and if you're thinking of taking a cab into the city you will have a major shock at the cost (about 70GBP = 140USD)

LOL, forget about the taxis, try McDonalds.

 

[miri]

Depending on if the dollar keeps dropping, it may be wise to get some British pounds now.

 

[Allanv]

we still have the pound so get some of those and tipping isnt as common as it is in the states, only the taxi gets a tip NO ONE else

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: CaffeineAndStuff
If you're staying near gatwick then sure - take a taxi. But if you're heading into London, take the Gatwick Express or a local train into London.
Gatwick is miles out of London - and if you're thinking of taking a cab into the city you will have a major shock at the cost (about 70GBP = 140USD)

yeah, take the train to victoria or king's x/st. pancras instead of a cab

 

[runzwithsizorz]

My AAA office converted, overnight for a $10 service fee. $500= 360euro, this would not be so bad if prices were cheaper in Europe, THEY ARE NOT!!!! , and in many incidences they are more. Did someone say bend over?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: bGIveNs33
you can just get some at the ATM at the airport.

ONLY, if your card is a debit type.

 

[AmpedSilence]

debt card in the Airport and throughout the city. pretty competitive rates. So far have had good results in London, Paris, Switzerland (Geneva and Luzerne), Sydney/Cairnes, Auckland, and various parts of India...

Or go with capitol one card like another poster said.

Not worth carrying csh with you on the plane....