Foreign currency
Is it a good idea to exchange USD to your chosen foreign currency before leaving the US rather than exchanging while in the foreign country?
F M
Lopacinski 2/2/12
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i suggest you have a little bit with you just in case. depending on the country you may be able to get money when you get in, but a small amount can be handy at times, i.e. you take a train or bus into eastern european countries, where ATM is not well situated in or near the train/bus station. bigger western countries are fine, you can easily get euros from ATMs, they're everywhere.
Thank you so much for your reply! This helps!
Your best exchange rate is always at the foreign ATM. Your Visa or Mastercard-branded ATM/debit card will work fine at ATM's overseas. Just be sure to let your bank know where you're going so they don't put a block on your card when they see overseas transactions.
Thank you, Tom! This helps, too. We'll bring just a little to have, but exchange what we can overseas.
FM, exchanging money (like at a currency exchange or bank abroad) is not going to give you as good a rate as withdrawing money from an ATM. Don't take US cash to exchange, just withdraw what you need from an ATM once you arrive.
I think most on here would agree that for institutes that do not have their own high fees, that the ranking of "best" to less than best deal continues to be:
*ATM in the country you are travelling
*Credit Card Transaction in local currency
*Cash exchange in the foriegn country at a bank, post office, or other reputable service
*Cash exchange at a retail exchange business over there
*Exchanging cash for foriegn currency here in the US
Beyond that, travellers checks, prepaid visa cards, or even having to resort to a Travelex booth, all have their own issues.
Basically the cost for the transaction goes from less than 1% up to 5 or 6%, and in some cases up to 10%