Need (Urgent) Help with obtaining foreign currency for trip.

My daughter is hopping a plane to Europe and didn't check into how to obtain some Euro currency prior to her departure on Friday, 12/30.

What are her options?

Thanks!
Sandy

Where is she going? Most banks and larger post offices in the UK and in Europe have a bureau de change as will the airport on departure and arrival, travel agents here also provide that service but I can't speak for other countries. Finding the best rate of exchange can take time though but it is worth shopping around. Travellers cheques may be safer although on a weekend it may not be quite so easy to change them depending on where she is going.

DD is flying to Paris, has an hour to switch planes and then flies into Vienna. She will stay in Vienna for a night (on a riverboat), and then begin a four day cruise with various stops.

Thanks!
Sandy

My sister went to Paris a while back...I'll ask her tomorrow (too late to call tonight)...unless someone else gets back to you first.
Cj

Hi, i drove around Europe a few years back, went to Rome so had more than one currency to deal with, no Euro at the time. I needed very little cash, just about everywhere takes credit card, far the safest method, and easiest. If she needs just a litlle for the odd coffee etc, then I am sure the airport at Paris will have a money changing facility.

I went to a bank in Rome (you have to leave your bag in a locker outside, go through a revolving door which they will stop you in if you don't know what you are doing!), and changed a small amount of money, no real need to speak the lingo, a mere mention of the currency required is sufficient. Perhaps with a 'sil vous plait' added, they are very particular about manners in Europe, and where there's tourists there is always money changers, mostly banks, Post Offices seem to be hard to find.

I also found rates of exchange in Europe for their currency was better than getiing it here, they don't have to 'bring it in' as such, and you will find also a better rate of exchange using a credit card, money again not handled is better value, although there is a small percentage added by the credit card company for their handling it is by far the easiest and safest.
If she has the opportunity to get a small amount of currency before she leaves, she would be best ONLY getting a small amount to tide her over, which is what I did, cash can easily be stolen, a credit card can also but it can be stopped. Warn her to be VERY wary of pickpockets, hold her valuables tightly, preferably not in a pocket, they are very clever.

I hope she enjoys her trip, and make sure she has plenty of woollies, it will be freezing on a boat trip!

Hi Sandy :

Another possibility - and I've done this regularly when traveling, which is a few times a month throughout Europe. ATM machines - every airport has them.

Supplement a few hundred Euros withdrawn through ATM machines, as needed with credit cards, which is the most secure as other posters suggested.

Basically, the airports in Europe are no different than here in the US - I've easily been able to withdraw money in Czech Rep, Hungary, Latvia. When I went to Turkey to see pebble in October, I was able to exchange Euros for Turkish Lira at the Dublin airport. Probably not the best exchange, but in light of worrying about not having money and so little time to plan, a few extra dollars was worth the hassle.

An hour in Paris to go through Paris Immigration, collect bags and transfer to the flight to Vienna isn't very long. Paris airport varies depending on the terminal (there are 3 of them), but the immigration lines can be LONG and slow, so she'll need to hurry as soon as she's off the plane. I had to do a mad dash a couple of months back to get ahead of the throng of people so the queue wasn't a mile long when I only had a few minutes to transfer.

Since she's time-pressed, the easiest way would be changing money in US or Vienna. Vienna is a nice airport, not very large and decent shopping on her way back home. The train into the city is called the CAT and is 26 EUR round trip and takes 15 minutes. Depending on how where she needs to be, taxis are readily available - her best best is to keep several small bills (20 and under) for the taxi fare since most taxis won't take credit cards (or say they won't).

One last suggestion - and I do this everywhere I go, is for her to have the exact address of the hotel or her final destination written on a piece of paper and handing it to the driver. It gets around the language barrier if she doesn't speak German and gets a non-English speaking driver.

Hope she enjoys her trip!

I admit that I loathed paying the credit card percentage and fees/transaction, particularly for small amounts.

Good advice here one thing I'd like to add regarding money is be aware of how much the money in your hand is, overcharging, wrong change and expectations of a heavy tip is something all tourists need to be on the lookout for.

It sounds like it is going to be a good trip, I hope your daughter enjoys it and has a safe journey!

My sister says there will be banks there or use international banks here and just expect to pay a fee.

Thank you again everyone! Sandra, I didn't realize you were still traveling so much...your words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

DD was able to exchange about $200 into Euros...she doesn't have a credit card, though I've been "nagging" at her to get one for months. A young "kid", not knowing what she's doing....I will be worrying the entire time. Heck, just hoping she makes it to O'Hare safe and sound and makes her flight is enough to keep me on edge.

Thanks again~
Sandy

glad you got it sorted out, i think she will be fine.....

Seedsower ~ having made that trip just this Spring, I'd say getting through O'Hare was the biggest headache. Wishing her a safe trip ~