Get Euros now or later

[Dakotah]

I would also recommend waiting.
You get about the best rate from credit cards and ATMs when you get to Europe. Our bank ( Wells Fargo ) always claims there is no service charge but they "jack " you about 5% on their exchange rate vs. the going rate.
There is really no way to be certain of the exchange rate in two months although it seems to be on a downward trajectory.
It was about $1.20 when we were in Europe earlier this spring.
Enjoy!



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[rodi]

This thread is kind of amusing as the euro jumped up yesterday enough to be a several hundred dollar hit on my outstanding vacation bills. (I prepaid everything I could while the rates were low... but still buying train tickets and several of the rental apartments want cash for the balance when we show up.) As I type this it's 1.08$/euro... It was 1.4 earlier this week.

Don't get me wrong - I'm still going and will have fun... but I hope the Euro does drop back down again... especially in the next week as I have two train tickets being held on capitainetrain.com.

[Chuckanut]

Here's a quote from a article about the declining Euro and how we need to be careful others don't take the savings from us. Apparently, at some airports ATMs run by money changer companies charge muct higher conversion rates than bank ATMS out side the airports.

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjourna...s.html?ana=twt

Quote:

How unfavorable are Travelex rates? According to the firm's website on Tuesday evening, 100 U.S. dollars will buy 60 British pounds and 88 pence. That's a 10 percent off-the-top cut for Travelex since the bank exchange rate on Tuesday evening was 67 pounds and 80 pence.

How does one beat the money changer rates and get the better bank rates?
Check who owns the ATM here:

http://www.mastercard.us/cardholder-...m-locator.html

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi This thread is kind of amusing as the euro jumped up yesterday enough to be a several hundred dollar hit on my outstanding vacation bills. (I prepaid everything I could while the rates were low... but still buying train tickets and several of the rental apartments want cash for the balance when we show up.) As I type this it's 1.08$/euro... It was 1.4 earlier this week. Don't get me wrong - I'm still going and will have fun... but I hope the Euro does drop back down again... especially in the next week as I have two train tickets being held on capitainetrain.com.

Same here, lol! Have charges pending on the rest of my train tickets.

Rate jumped Wed, then dropped Thursday, then jumped again today. I think I'll have gotten a better deal on the things I paid for last week!

But c'est la vie!

(See, I'm getting ready for France! )

My instinct tells me the Euro is likely drop further by the time we get there. That's when we get to pay the hotel bills.

[NW-Bound]

Here's some music to help put you into the mood, and perhaps to take with you when you tour the city on foot.

My favorite is "La Bohème" by Charles Aznavour, reminiscing about a young artist's life in Montmartre. Video with subtitle follows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvehG_Lgls

But there are more. "Coin de Rue"? "Moulin Rouge"? "La Mer"?

[audreyh1]

Oh, I have to listen to French music too? LOL!

Thanks!

DH can't stand French singing, particularly from that deep smokey-voiced Lady.

[NW-Bound]

One does not have to.

On the other hand, for a complete package, food, drink, sight, sound, how can one leave out music?

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound One does not have to. On the other hand, for a complete package, food, drink, sight, sound, how can one leave out music?

I was hoping they were playing American jazz over there.

[unno2002]

Would travelers checks in Euro's work?

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 I was hoping they were playing American jazz over there.

One might as well stay home and eat steak or hamburger. And I do love jazz and steak and hamburger.

When we were in Nice, during the Carnival, they played American rock and pop music on the loudspeakers in the street. ARGHHH!

That's why I have to bring my own.

[NW-Bound]

OK, how about an American song but with French lyrics? This rendition is by a British singer though. That makes it international music, eh?

If one does not like the music, well, at least the scenery is interesting, I hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rosTQGy6v20

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound OK, how about an American song but with French lyrics? This rendition is by a British singer though. That makes it international music, eh? If one does not like the music, well, at least the scenery is interesting, I hope.

That's better. Thanks! Still a bit of odd French nasal warbling even with a British singer, LOL!

I enjoy the French composers Debussy and Fauré. Branford Marsalis "Romances for the Saxophone" has a nice selection. I like this Arabesque N°1 - Claude Debussy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFRlIGhumA8

[Marita40]

I'm in Europe now and it really is a bargain compared to the last time I was here!

As to getting euros ahead, I always get some as a safety precaution. Typical in Rome is that the airport ATM will run out of cash when hoards from a flight descend on it. Then you have to have the cab find an ATM for you. I just feel safer with euros in hand when I land.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marita40 I'm in Europe now and it really is a bargain compared to the last time I was here! As to getting euros ahead, I always get some as a safety precaution. Typical in Rome is that the airport ATM will run out of cash when hoards from a flight descend on it. Then you have to have the cab find an ATM for you. I just feel safer with euros in hand when I land.

Glad you are enjoying the discount!! Enjoy!!!! Salute!

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marita40 Typical in Rome is that the airport ATM will run out of cash when hoards from a flight descend on it. Then you have to have the cab find an ATM for you.

Trust the Italians to add an interesting and unexpected problem to your trip. They certainly help make the memories.

[Marita40]

For an organized, orderly, and efficient person of Germanic heritage-- ie me-- Rome is both constantly challenging and enormously exhilarating. At the moment I'm in Vienna, a haven of calm after the chaos that is Rome. It is all good!

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marita40 For an organized, orderly, and efficient person of Germanic heritage--

Ummmm..... Last thing I heard Lufthansa just had a 4 day strike.

Quote:

Lufthansa canceled 74 of a total 160 long-haul connections scheduled for Saturday, affecting about 20,000 passengers.

Maybe the Italians invaded Germany and finally won a battle

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut Trust the Italians to add an interesting and unexpected problem to your trip. They certainly help make the memories.

I don't think Rome airport is the only place. I hear there are sometimes problems at other airports and at Amsterdam Centraal.

[Totoro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 I don't think Rome airport is the only place. I hear there are sometimes problems at other airports and at Amsterdam Centraal.

The ATMs at Amsterdam Central can get hammered pretty hard with the large amount of traffic and tourists getting in there. Especially on the national holiday.

All other stations and a short walk further on there are plenty of ATMs though.

If you have a debit & credit card (with decent fees) on you there is hardly any need for cash though in Amsterdam.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totoro The ATMs at Amsterdam Central can get hammered pretty hard with the large amount of traffic and tourists getting in there. Especially on the national holiday. All other stations and a short walk further on there are plenty of ATMs though. If you have a debit & credit card (with decent fees) on you there is hardly any need for cash though in Amsterdam.

That's true. In fact Amsterdam pushes going "cashless". There are quite a few restaurants and shops that accept only credit. Chip and signature cards work fine and better than cash, LOL!

You might need cash for a B&B though. That's pretty standard. Few Amsterdam B&Bs take credit.