Where's the best place to buy Euros?

[screw3d]

Any specific banks/agencies? I'm talking about only roughly $500 in cash.

I checked BofA and they quoted 1.32 but forex sites on google seem to be floating around 1.25. I understand that there are different buy/sell rates.. but 1.32 just doesn't seem right?

 

[DainBramaged]

Europe?

 

[kami333]

ATM in Europe

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Any specific banks/agencies? I'm talking about only roughly $500 in cash.

I checked BofA and they quoted 1.32 but forex sites on google seem to be floating around 1.25. I understand that there are different buy/sell rates.. but 1.32 just doesn't seem right?

If you're going to Europe, I would suggest getting your cash exchanged there. Most of the ATMs I've gone to there will take your credit/debit card and will not charge you any fee. They also give you the current rate. There is usually a place in the airport as well.

If you aren't going to Europe, most banks here (assuming you're in the US) charge fees to exchange currency, so the extra percentage is just the bank's markup. I don't think you can do much better, they're all typically the same (5-10%).

 

[screw3d]

I'll be getting the bulk of my cash in Europe itself.. the problem is that my BofA checking account charges $5 + 1% on non-alliance banks.. and out of all the countries I'm going, only France has alliance ATMs (BNP Paribas).

Looks like I might have to find a better checking account.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Check out AAA.

They sell both Euros and special travel debit cards for use in Europe.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Any specific banks/agencies? I'm talking about only roughly $500 in cash.

I checked BofA and they quoted 1.32 but forex sites on google seem to be floating around 1.25. I understand that there are different buy/sell rates.. but 1.32 just doesn't seem right?

There will ALWAYS be a difference between Buy/Sell. Like others have said before an ATM will almost always give you the best rate. For initial cash just take the hit and go to the bank.

 

[maddogchen]

theres this one place in chinatown London...guy in the back, offers amazing rates....money washing for the win!