Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most European cities. American Express is too, but perhaps less widely. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient. You don't need to worry about changing money at a foreign exchange counter, or worry about security when carrying cash around with you.



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Buy currency before you travel. Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

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The best place to exchange money is a local ATM or a bank. Many foreign banks are happy to exchange your dollars for local currency for a better rate than you find elsewhere, or you can go to an ATM to skip the line.

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It's generally best to exchange currency before you travel. There's a simple reason why: You can do it at your bank or credit union. Not only is it a safe and familiar option, but banks and credit unions also tend to offer the best exchange rates.

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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.

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Should You Use Cash or Credit When Traveling to Europe? Most international travelers will end up using a combination of cash and cards when visiting Europe. While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors.

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Before your trip, exchange money at your bank or credit union, which likely offers better rates and fewer and/or lower fees. See if your bank or credit union will buy back any leftover foreign currency for when you return.

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To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average. However, once you have your itinerary in place (try using our convenient tour builder), you will have a tailored and accurate answer to the ever-relevant question - how much to budget per day in Europe.

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Your Wallet in Front Pocket A lot of guys keep their wallets in their back pockets, but this is an extremely easy target for a pickpocket. And that is why it is advisable to keep your wallet in your front pocket.

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Obviously you're going to need euros for your trip to France. You can get euros at your bank in the States, but in some cases you have to ask for them ahead of time so the bank can order them for you. I should mention this isn't absolutely necessary; you can get euros fairly easily right away when you arrive in France.

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But actually, you'll find that debit and credit cards are widely accepted in most European cities. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient, without the potential security risk of carrying cash around you. You'll just need to check your card provider's fees for spending abroad.

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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.

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If you are traveling on an international flight and have more than $10,000 in your possession, you must disclose the amount of U.S. Currency in your possession on a FinCEN 105 form. On a domestic flight, no rule requires you to disclose carrying $10,000 or more on the flight.

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