So should you buy euros before leaving? And if so, where?

It’s a great question — and it depends upon on a few factors. But first, my general rule of thumb:

Generally speaking… no need.

In most cases for Americans heading off to major European destinations, my answer is to just say “no” to buying euros in advance in the States. Unless you have a great bank that doesn’t charge for the service — and gives real exchange rates, not lousy inflated rates — those euros will be overpriced.

And, furthermore, for the most part, they’re unnecessary.

Since I first published this article several years ago, credit and debit card usage throughout Europe (even for small purchases!) has become much more widely accepted. I moved last year to Switzerland, where even the smallest charges can be made using a debit card — I honestly go weeks without getting Swiss Francs. There’s simply no need.

Thus, as a tourist arriving in Europe, I recommend that you first ensure that your card will work abroad (by contacting your bank back home before your trip, see below) and, once you’ve arrived, withdraw the local currency from an ATM at the airport.

Or even simpler, just use your credit card to buy train or bus tickets into town (or splurge on a taxi), and then withdraw euros (or Swiss Francs or Pounds, etc.) from an ATM once you’ve checked into your hotel.

And for the most part, that’s that. Easy-peasy.

Photo by Eduardo Soares on Unsplash

But, what happens if…

I know, this doesn’t really do much to calm the nerves, right? What happens if you wind up in a vulnerable position? What happens if the airport doesn’t have an ATM and you can’t, for some reason, buy a ticket into town or pay for a taxi with your credit card?

Well, chances are very strong that they’ll still have a currency exchange counter. If you find yourself in this unlikely situation, you can head over to the counter and cash in some US dollars. (It’s always a good idea to bring some along for emergencies.)

However, it’s worth noting that this string of circumstances will probably not apply to airports into which you’d initially be touching down in Europe.

If you’re flying from the States to Europe, you’re most likely landing in a major European destination (including all capital cities). These airports will have bank machines. Some examples:

• Amsterdam Schiphol: There are three currency exchange stations, complete with bank machines, after security checkpoint and one before.
• Barcelona-El Prat Airport: Many ATMs for different Spanish banks in both terminals.
• London Heathrow: Many ATM options to pick up some GBP.
• Paris Charles De Gaulle: 25 HSBC ATMs throughout the terminals.
• Rome Fiumicino: Multiple ATMs in the terminals.
• Venice Marco Polo: YEX for currency exchange is available in the arrivals hall.
• Zurich Airport: The Swiss love their banks, and their Swiss Francs. ATMs are not hard to find.

If you’re arriving into another airport, visit the official website of the airport and you’ll be able to check on ATM and bank services, along with public transit options.

Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash

Who should buy euros in advance?

If you’ve made it this far in the article and you’re still nervous about traveling without any euros (or GBP or Swiss Francs, etc.) in your pocket, by all means, pick some up ahead of time — it’s not worth worrying about, especially if it’ll prevent you from relaxing and enjoying your flight.

However, do your best to not get taken for a ride by your bank (and avoid these other costly mistakes before your trip to Europe). Understand from your bank what exchange rate you’ll be given and whether or not they’ll be taking a commission or adding a service charge.

Also, be very wary of buying them at your departure airport back in the States. Ask for a printout of exactly what you’ll be paying before handing over any cash — and be sure to know the current exchange rate. (Warning: It’s not going to be pretty.)

If buying euros in advance, whatever you do, don’t overdo it! In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. When buying in advance, get just enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day’s worth of emergency expenses.

An ATM machine in Europe. Photo: Marco

A few notes about using ATMs abroad

1. Ask your bank about ATM fees before leaving

First, be sure to call your bank before your trip to tell them that you’ll be in traveling in Europe (to ensure that your card will work), and, while on the phone, ask how much you’ll be charged for each withdrawal.

Each bank is different, so know what you’re dealing with. Do they charge a percentage or a per-withdrawal fee? If it’s the latter, you’ll want to make as few trips as possible to the ATM. Here’s a list of questions to ask them.

2. Stick to official bank ATMs

When using ATMs abroad, stick to cash machines that are associated with major banks (look for those located inside bank lobbies or on the side of bank building). Make sure you see a bank logo somewhere on the cash machine or signage.

Steer clear of “stand-alone” cash machines that aren’t a part of a bank, especially in tourist centers. These might actually be associated with overpriced currency exchange services. (Chances are you’ll end up paying a service charge AND get a lousy exchange rate.)

3. When paying with a credit card — pay in the local currency.

It’s likely that at some point during your trip when paying with a credit card, the payment screen will ask you if you’d like to pay in the local currency (euros, Swiss Francs, etc.) or pay in US dollars. While this might strike you as helpful (how nice of them to convert for me!), just say no. The bank is simply adding one more currency conversion for them to skim a little extra cash from. Pay in the local currency.

Stash away some euros for next time!

One last note: If possible, at the end of your trip, try to set some euros aside for your next European adventure. There’s no need to splurge at the airport on the way home (although a Duty Free binge can usually help cast aside the end-of-the-trip doldrums).

Instead, keep your unused euro bills and coins in a special place, like your dresser. Sometimes, a few euro bills in your sock drawer can be all the encouragement you need!

Your tips for buying euros

Do you buy euros before you get on the plane? Tell us what you do when you’re heading across the pond.

Read more of our best European tips:
• Planning a trip to Europe? Avoid these 10 mistakes!
• A guide to buying a SIM Card in Europe
• How long can you stay in Europe with an American passport

This article was edited and updated on April 30, 2024.

The post Should you buy euros before your trip to Europe? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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Savvy budget-conscious travelers know that bringing cash dollars to Paris is as last century as carrying travelers cheques, and would never think of trading in a pile of greenbacks at the currency exchange counter for a predatory rate.

But if you’re haven’t got one of the rare U.S. credit cards that doesn’t charge roughly 3% on top of purchases for foreign transactions, cash is still king when it comes to managing travel spending.

So how can you avoid the $5 international ATM fee that most banks charge to withdraw eurocash from your U.S. account while traveling in Paris?

Global ATM Alliance

If you are a Bank of America customer, use your debit card to withdraw money from any BNP Paribas ATM in Paris (look for the bright green logo). These two banks are partners in the Global ATM Alliance, which waives fees for cash withdrawals in several countries.

(2014 Update: Bank of America doesn’t charge a $5 fee for the withdrawal, but they do now charge 3% of the total amount withdrawn.)

Other bank customers

If your bank isn’t part of the Global ATM Alliance, check our guide to using ATMs in Europe.

And regardless of which bank you use, be sure to call them (and your credit card company) and let customer service know that you will be traveling before you leave. Otherwise the fraud protection department might freeze your card for suspicious activity, even if that just means that you are on vacation using your own debit card in a Parisian ATM machine.

The post How to avoid ATM fees while traveling in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Just ask and you shall (hopefully) receive:

1. Water at meals

All meals, from the ritziest restaurant to the lowliest donor kebab, should come with a free pitcher of tap water. Even an espresso comes with a glass of room temperature hydration.

If you don’t have a pitcher when your food comes, simply ask for “une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plait,” and don’t hesitate to ask for refills.

2. Bread at meals

Bread is also a staple at the table, so don’t hesitate to ask for it. In typical restaurants, mustard, salt, pepper and bread will be put on the table before you receive your meal. Of course there are many exceptions, but if you’re having a sit-down meal, asking for bread (“le pain, s’il vous plait”) will surprise no one. This is the birthplace of the baguette, after all.

3. Maps

Tourists hitting the streets of Paris with their guidebook maps are often disappointed by the missing streets and tiny Metro maps printed inside the cover of their books. Fortunately cartography is a big business in Paris. Metro maps, in both large and small formats, can be obtained for free at most Metro stations. (Simply ask for “un plan de Metro, s’il vous plait.”)

And the Galeries Lafayettes, one of Paris’ famed department stores, prints free city maps (“plan de Paris”) that can be found in the reception areas of most of Paris’ hotels and hostels, along with other major tourist sights.

4. Samples

This one’s delicate. Free samples are abundant in Paris – if you know when to ask. Many chocolate shops will offer a taste if you linger long enough, but play your cards right. If the shopkeeper can tell you’re going to buy something, he or she will have fewer qualms about offering up a sample to help you decide. And sometimes not.

When you stroll through outdoor markets, merchants are all too eager to have you taste their pineapples and mangos, so just say “Merci!” and taste away. Cheese shops will also be fairly willing to cut you a sliver if you ask to taste the difference between two choices, if you’re clearly going to purchase some fromage.

5. Toilets

While there are many free public bathrooms that look like small space pods located throughout the city, bathrooms are also available with any purchase at a café. If you purchase a café or a Perrier at the café bar (remember, it’s cheaper at the bar than at a table), you can ask for the bathroom without worries.

Note: If the bathroom door looks like it is coin-operated, simply ask for the “jeton” (token) from the server and he or she will hand you a silver coin that will open the door.

6. ATM withdrawals (for Bank of America clients)

Free money? Well, almost. If you want to avoid paying pesky bank fees, you can withdraw without charge from the BNP Paribas bank if you have a Bank of America account. If this applies to you, you will curtail any travelers’ checks or foreign exchange fees that have troubled travelers for so many years. (Read our guide to ATM bank fees for Americans abroad.)

7.  Wi-Fi

I’ve said it once and I’ve said it again: paying for the internet in Paris is a scam. With Paris’ public Wi-Fi program, and the various wireless networks available in cafés and McDonald’s, there is no reason to drop a dime to check your email.

For more information, read my previous post on where to find free Wi-Fi in Paris. Trust me, it still works as long as you have a smart phone or laptop.

Your favorite free things in Paris?

What other freebies have you found in the City of Light? Tell us, Cheapos, in the comments section.

The post Paris: 7 things that are always free in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the bottom of the Catacombs the options are vast. So while you’re budgeting your euros, here are a few tips to budget your time as well to make sure you don’t waste a single second while in Paris.

1. Book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance

Waiting in line for the Eiffel Tower can cost you hours, so book your ticket in advance on their Web site here. With this reservation, you can get in a much shorter line for the Iron Lady’s elevator and spend those hours doing something else.

2. Get a “Museum Pass” and skip the lines

Consider the Museum Pass. It may seem expensive, but if you’re planning on visiting several different monuments and museums, the pass can help you avoid waiting in ticket lines and will pay for itself if your heart is set on visiting as many museums as possible.

3. Make a dinner reservation

Make a restaurant reservation in at least one restaurant. Cheapos often like to treat themselves to one nice sit-down meal in Paris, so instead of walking around aimlessly looking for the perfect spot, do some research in advance and find a nice, little bistro to treat yourself to and book a table. Check out Paris by Mouth for some great suggestions.

4. Use the ATM

Contact your bank and use ATMs to avoid currency exchange offices. Tourists often spend time heading to American Express offices to exchange money, but this is a time waster. Talk to your bank and see what the fees are for using ATM machines and just withdraw cash (read more here). Paris has no shortage of banks and you’ll be on your way much faster.

5. Grab a quick coffee at the bar

Get your café at the bar if you need a quick caffeine fix. Sitting down at a table in a café means you’ve engaged yourself for at least 30 minutes by the time the waiter takes your order, brings your coffee, gives you the bill and takes your money. It’s a sort of ritual that can be bypassed by doing like the locals and going right to the bar for un café. It’s cheaper, too.

6. Line up early, if you must

Get in line early for activities that are must-sees for you, like the towers of Notre Dame or the Catacombs. Forgo an hour of sleep, wake up early, and queue up at least 30 minutes before the monument opens. You’ll be happy you did as you look at the line of people snaking around the block to get up the cathedral’s towers or to climb into the old mine shafts lined with 6 million Parisians skeletons.

7. Grab a sandwich for lunch and take it to go

Bakeries offer great deals for a sandwich, drink, and dessert, and you can eat it in a park or on the go as you race off to your next destination. The same sandwich in a café will take at least 30 minutes (and be more expensive).

8. Consider “nightseeing”

Certain sights are best at night. Think of checking out the evening openings at the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay when prices are cheaper and lines are shorter. And the Eiffel Tower is open until midnight in the summer, so don’t think that 11:30 p.m. is too late to venture up for a midnight view of the city.

9. Ask for help if you need it

Everyone says Parisians are rude and impolite, but sometimes it’s worth running the risk. When a girl from Japan asked me for directions the other day in the Marais, a Parisian went out of his way to butt in, look at her map (all in Japanese) and point her in the right direction as I translated his French into English for her. He might be the exception instead of the rule, but Parisians can be helpful, and getting brusque assistance from a local is better than wandering for hours in search of the Musée Carnavalet.

10. Plan a return trip to Paris

Be ready to make concessions and start planning a return trip to Paris. You can’t do it all, and preparing mentally for this now will make things easier for everyone. I was recently with a family who looked at the line to enter Notre Dame and they all shook their heads, “No.” Instead, we went for ice cream and wandered in the Marais, much to everyone’s delight.

Your time-saving tips

There’s no shortage of happenings in Paris, and every minute can be stretched to the last second if you’re thrifty with your time. So, Cheapos, what other advice do you have for budgeting your time in Paris?

The post Paris: 10 ways to save time (and see more) in Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Sure, everyday small charges like cafe cremes in Paris (€2-4) and vaporetto rides in Venice (€6.50) do add up and can make a Cheapo panic. However, these are relatively minor charges when compared to the big-ticket items in your budget: flights, hotels, car rentals and train tickets.

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take right now to minimize these big expenses. Some of these tips may be old news to you, bien sur. But even if one tip comes in handy, it could save you a whole wad of euros.

Kayak’s price alert

1. Set up airfare alerts

Haven’t booked your airline tickets yet? Set up airfare alerts to find a flight deal on Web sites like Kayak.com and Airfarewatchdog.com.

On Kayak, do a search for your desired travel dates and then click “Get a price alert” on the left side of the page. Once you register, they’ll email you with daily or weekly airfare deals for your route.

On Airfarewatchdog, “Deal Hounds” sniff out the lowest ticket prices for your route and send similar email updates. On both sites, you stand a much better chance of scoring a deal if your travel dates are flexible.

2. Pack lightly

As we mentioned last week, most transatlantic airlines have introduced ridiculous baggage fees for checking a second, third or overweight bag. For flights from the US to Europe, these fees can be as high as $200 per bag (one way!).

Check out our roundup of airline baggage fees and only check one bag.

The RoissyBus taks passengers from Paris to Charles de Gaulle.

3. Take public transportation to and from the airport

Alas, how many people have we dissuaded from taking a taxi from Charles de Gaulle to their hotel in Paris! Every one of the major European cities we cover on EuroCheapo offers public transportation from the airport to the center of town, and the majority offer both train and bus options.

Whether you’re getting from Charles de Gaulle to Paris or Schiphol to Amsterdam, there’s a budget-friendly (and usually quite efficient) way into town that doesn’t involve an expensive taxi. Check out our city guides for more information.

4. Think twice before booking a rail pass

For Americans, the lure of the Eurail Pass is strong. Just reading the descriptions of the passes on their Web site can get you excited and ready to hop on board!

It’s easy to forget that these rail passes are not always a good deal. Sure, they offer some convenience and peace of mind, but they don’t always save you money over simply buying individual point-to-point rail tickets (like the millions of Europeans who take trains daily).

Aboard the Renfe train between Cordoba and Granada. No need for a rail pass.

To find out if a rail pass offers “rail” savings, compare the pass price to the point-to-point ticket prices found on the railways’ official Web site (and not the Web site of a rail pass re-seller).

For much more information on this, read these posts: Read this before you buy a European rail passes; Extra charges for rail pass holders; Deutsche Bahn fares better than rail agents; How to book French rail tickets (in French)

5. Book major train tickets in advance

If booking rail journeys directly with the European railways, like the SNCF (France), Deutsche Bahn (Germany) and Renfe (Spain), book those seats in advance. For long-distance train travel, ticket prices climb as the travel date approaches, so advance booking is essential to getting a deal. Most of these railways release tickets three or four months in advance. (Local trains for small jaunts, however, do not need to be booked in advance.)

For more information, read our post on the “three-month rule.”

The EuroCheapo gang rented this car in Berlin. We weren’t smiling two weeks later when we paid the bill.

6. Know the real cost of renting a car

How much will that rental car really cost you? When you do a quick rental car search online, the rates you see will most likely not include taxes or insurance, and certainly won’t include the price of gasoline or the tolls you’ll pay on major highways.

Read our quick guide to calculating the real cost of renting a car in Europe. Then weigh those costs against other options, like trains or budget flights.

Then, use EuroCheapo to search and compare car rental quotes from competing agencies.

While you’re at it, know whether or not to buy extra insurance for your car. (And for that matter, know if you should buy travel insurance for your entire trip!)

7. Choose your hotel wisely

Your hotel expenditure will probably be the most expensive part of your trip. Here at EuroCheapo, we’re obsessed with hotel values. That’s why our editors spend so much time snooping around hotels, taking photos and writing reviews. We can tell you that two hotels sitting side-by-side can charge radically different rates for remarkably similar rooms.

The Hotel Tiquetonne in Paris is central, clean and cheap.

When choosing a hotel, consider “losing a star,” downgrading perhaps from a three-star to a two-star hotel. Decide which amenities you require in a room: Do you need a minibar? cable TV? elevator? If you’re open to a simpler hotel, you can save a bundle and you might find the hotel to be more charming, as well.

Also, give careful consideration to the hotel’s location. If you decide upon a hotel located outside the city center in order to save money, will there be an easy and affordable way home at night? We usually opt for simpler hotels near the center, within walking distance of nighttime activities, if possible.

Read our reviews of budget hotels all over Europe and take our advice–we’ve been there!

8. Know what’s for breakfast

This may sound minor, but breakfast is a big business for hotels. Whether or not breakfast is included in your room rate can add a jarring amount to the bill or save you in the end. It’s a tad confusing, too, as breakfast offerings tend to change by city.

These water bottles in Venice are cheaper at the supermarket.

In Paris, for example, most hotels do not include breakfast in the room rate. When you pay for breakfast, you’ll often be disappointed by what’s set down in front of you: a croissant or piece of baguette, butter and jelly, coffee and juice–for about €10. You’d pay about half that if you headed to a neighborhood cafe, stood at the bar and enjoyed breakfast with the locals.

In London, meanwhile, hotels and B&B’s pride themselves in their included breakfasts, which often come with eggs, bacon, sausage, beans and toast. It’s not necessarily healthy, but it’s good for your budget! (It also helps you eat a lighter and cheaper lunch.)

In many cities, hotels sometimes include breakfast in the room rate, depending upon conditions when booking. The only way to really know if it’s included is to check when reserving your room.

There’s another easy way to eat a healthy breakfast and pay a fraction of the price: Head to a neighborhood supermarket after checking into your hotel to pick up the essentials (bottles of water, oranges, bananas, etc.). If your room has a mini-fridge, you could store yogurt, milk or juice. Bon appetit!

9. Be careful with American iPhones

Americans heading to Europe should be careful before powering up their iPhones abroad. AT&T offers various European travel plans, and almost all of them are too expensive to be a serious option for budget travelers.

We recommend leaving your iPhone set to “Airplane Mode” throughout your trip, and only using it when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Read more in our guide to “Using an American iPhone in Europe… without going broke.”

10. Understand bank fees before using your credit cards or an ATM

How much will your bank charge you to use your credit or debit card abroad? How about withdrawing money from an ATM? When’s the last time you checked?

American banks have “adjusted” their fee structures during the past few years, so we’d recommend checking in with your banks before heading to Europe. If you have multiple cards at your disposal, chances are that they’ll charge different foreign transaction fees. Knowing who charges what will save you money in the end.

Read our quick overview to ATM, Debit and Credit Card charges abroad.

Your tips for saving on European travel

What tips do you have for saving on your “big ticket” items when traveling in Europe? Have a question about any of the tips mentioned above? Share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Cheapo Basics: 10 ways to save on the “big items” in your travel budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

How much does your American bank charge to withdraw money from a foreign ATM? Do they take a percentage? What’s the foreign transaction fee applied by your credit card? How about your other credit card?

I know, just about anything would be more fun than an hour spent on the phone with your bank and credit card companies before leaving on a trip. But ignorance is not bliss, dear readers! Before heading to Europe there are a number of questions about foreign transaction charges and ATM fees that American travelers should absolutely ask their banking institutions.

This information is quite dynamic, as US banks have recently been changing their fee structures in an attempt to recover lost profits following a couple of rocky years. Thus, even if you called before your last trip, call again. Things may have changed.

Ready to call? Here’s our “cheat sheet” for what to discuss with your bank:

Tell your bank about your trip.

First, the basics: Call your bank and credit card companies to tell them that you’ll be traveling abroad. This is important for them to know, as foreign charges and ATM withdrawals may signal an internal “red-flag” and could result in your account being frozen. That’s really not something you want to deal with from, say, the cobblestone streets of Florence.

Your bank will probably ask for the duration of the trip and may ask which countries you’ll be visiting. It’s a good idea to ask them for a phone number to call from abroad, should any banking concerns arise (many cards have this information printed on their back).

That’s the easy part. Now let’s get into the fees.

Q: Does your bank charge a foreign ATM withdrawal fee? Do they charge a percentage of the withdrawal? Both?

This will vary widely among banks, however many charge between $1.50-$5 per withdrawal AND add a foreign transaction fee of 1-3%. However, some banks will only charge a flat fee and others may only charge a percentage. To illustrate how widely these charges differ between banks, we hunted down the ATM withdrawal charges yesterday  at some of the country’s most popular banks. Here’s what we found:

Bank of America: $5 fee per ATM withdrawal plus 1% currency conversion fee (or no ATM fee plus 1% for withdrawals from Global ATM Alliance). Read more on Bank of America’s Web site.

Citibank: 3% currency conversion fee per withdrawal. For more information, see Citibank’s Web site.

Chase: $3 ATM charge plus 3% currency conversion fee per withdrawal (or no ATM charge plus 3% fee for premium accounts). For basic account charges, read the small print on Chase’s Web site.

HSBC: $1.50 ATM charge per withdrawal. No currency conversion fee (and no fees at all for premium accounts). For more information, try to digest this PDF from HSBC’s Web site — or call and speak to a representative.

Wells Fargo: $5 ATM fee per withdrawal. No currency conversion fee. More information on Wells Fargo Web site.

These rates were found on May 26, 2010 and could change at any time. Please check with your bank to find current fees and charges.

Q: Does your bank charge a foreign transaction fee for debit card charges?

Just as ATM fees vary widely, debit card charges are all over the place. For the most part, however, the bank will assess a foreign transaction fee and most hover around 3%. In some cases, it’s slightly less. We’ve also heard of banks charging both a foreign transaction percentage AND a flat-fee for debit charges.

After talking to your bank, call and ask your credit card company the same questions.

Q: Does your credit card charge a foreign transaction fee?

For most credit cards, the answer will be yes. It’s often around 3%, but, like everything else, it varies from card to card.

Notably, the Capital One credit card does not charge any foreign transaction fees for purchases abroad, which has made it quite popular with travelers. (For more information, see Capital One’s Web site.)

Q: What does your credit card charge for cash advances?

Most cards will charge a percentage of the cash advance, plus any other fees that your card would normally charge for an advance. Some banks also set a minimum cash advance fee.

Some more points to keep in mind

* Many US banks have now started charging foreign exchange fees for purchases made with foreign companies even if you’re still in the US. For example, if you purchase a Ryanair (based in Dublin) flight online from your office in Detroit, you may still pay a 3% foreign exchange fee, even though you hadn’t left the country.

* Many foreign ATMs have only numbers on their keypads. If your PIN (security code) also uses letters, figure out the numerical equivalent before you head over.

* Foreign ATMs may only permit you to withdraw cash from your checking account, and may not allow access to savings or other accounts. It’s wise to beef up the checking account before heading over — and know how to log in to your account online, in case you need to transfer more cash into your checking account.

Choose wisely

These calls are a bit tedious, but, as many of us travel with multiple credit or debit cards, it’s vital that you know the terms for each card.

You’ll probably find that your cards have different fee structures that you can work to your advantage. For example, if an ATM card charges a flat-fee without a percentage for each withdrawal, make fewer withdrawals and take out more euros each time. If one of your credit cards has a lower foreign transaction fee, it’s an obvious choice to use on the road.

The bottom line is this: Call your bank and credit card companies before heading over. When you get your statements later, there won’t be any surprises. (Well, at least from the fees… Impulse purchases are another story.)

Your questions and money advice

What other questions do you ask your bank before leaving? What have you learned from your ATM and banking experiences abroad? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

The post ATM, Debit, and Credit Card Fees for Americans in Europe: Know before you go! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As of today, the US dollar is stronger against the euro than at any time since April 17, 2006. This morning the euro was trading at US $1.23, a remarkable drop from its high on December 3, 2009, when the euro hit $1.51.

The financial implications for Americans traveling in Europe now or heading to Europe soon are very real. Simply put, you’ll spend the same amount in euros, but spend a lot less in dollars.

Take, as a very basic example, a hotel room that costs €100 a night. In December, it would have cost $151. Today the same room costs $123. That’s a savings of $28 per night. Now, multiply that sort of savings by every night in a hotel, every meal in a restaurant, every trip on the Metro — and you’ll see how this can really add up.

There are winners and losers in every currency fluctuation. The high euro of the past several years has been great for Europeans visiting the United States, but not so great for the European travel industry, which has seen a sharp decline in American tourists visiting Europe. With a suddenly stronger dollar, Americans will regain spending power that we haven’t seen since 2006. Hopefully, this will inspire more Americans to travel abroad while also benefiting the local economies.

Taking advantage of the exchange rate

Will the dollar continue to get stronger against the euro? Of course we can only speculate. It’s been so many years since we saw it this strong, however, that our instinct is to try to take advantage of these rates now, lest they don’t last.

Americans traveling abroad right now are already taking advantage of the strong dollar with every purchase and ATM cash withdrawal. For those preparing to head over in the next couple of months, it would make sense to “lock in” the exchange rate by pre-paying for anything you can right now in euros. (Unless, of course, you think the dollar will continue to get stronger. If that’s the case, disregard the rest of this post and pay as you go!)

Many (if not most) parts of a trip are paid for during the trip. Hotels, for example, are usually paid for upon check-out. Food is paid for several times a day — and hardly ever in advance! The same goes for most incidental charges.

However, there are some ways you can take advantage of the exchange rate now by pre-paying in euros. These include:

1. If you’re going to buy euros from your bank, do it now.

This is a funny “tip,” as we usually tell readers not to spend much money at all on pre-buying euros. “Wait until you get to the airport, then hit the ATM!” we cry.

However, it is a good idea to have some euros in your pocket upon arrival — after all, the airport ATM could theoretically be out of order. Buying euros from American banks can be an awkward, time-intensive, maddening affair — and you could end up paying a fee or not getting the best exchange rate. However, if you already are planning on going to the bank for some euros before your trip, go now!

Side note: For visitors to almost any European destination, we recommend arriving with just enough euros to get your group into town and get something to eat, if necessary. Once there, head for an ATM.

2. Book any European-based flights between cities now.

You probably won’t see big savings on US to Europe flights anytime soon, as carriers have cut back on the number of flights in order to drive up ticket prices and recoup some recent losses. However, if you’re planning to take European-based low-cost airlines between cities in Europe (which is a budget-friendly, if not environmentally-friendly way to get around), you can pay for those flights in euros and should book them now.

These include flights on Ryanair, Air Berlin, Germanwings, WizzAir, and many others (which we cover in our budget flights guide). Given the dollar’s strength against the British pound ($1.42 yesterday, the lowest since March 2009), this also holds true for booking easyJet flights in British pounds.

3. Book any train journeys now.

Which brings us to another favorite point, book your train journeys directly with the European railways and not through a US-based agent. Companies in the US often charge expensive prices for passes (like the Eurail), which are designed only for Americans — and sold in dollars, which won’t be affected by the changes in exchange rates.

Instead, book point-to-point train tickets directly with the national rail Web sites, be it the SNCF (France), Trenitalia (Italy), Deutsche Bahn (Germany), etc. For much more on this subject, please see this post on booking directly and this for booking an SNCF ticket in French!

4. Ask if you can pre-pay for your hotel.

This request may be greeted with outright laughter, but it’s worth a try.

Most hotels, especially budget-friendly hotels, will only let you pay for your room upon check-out. This is done for a number of reasons — it’s how their reservation agencies work, they may not be able to make a charge for a service not yet performed, it’s too much of a hassle to refund if you cancel, etc. (Most hotels, however, will ask for a credit card number to guarantee your room and will charge it only if you cancel.)

However, you could always ask if the hotel can charge you in advance in euros for your stay. Hey, it’s worth asking!

5. Pre-book airport transportation.

We recommend taking local transportation from your arrival into town. This usually means a train, bus, or subway, most of which will not be able to be pre-booked. However, sometimes you need something more dedicated, like a private shuttle bus, car service, or taxi.

There are numerous companies that offer ground transportation from European airports to city centers or even hotels. One budget-friendly option is Terravision, which runs comfortable low-cost buses from the airports of major cities. Pre-booking these fares, in euros, could save you.

6. Pre-book tickets for tourist sights and museums.

Finally, think of the major attractions that you plan to visit during your trip. You may be surprised to find that many of these offer online pre-booking in euros. From tickets to the Uffizzi in Florence to tickets up the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can buy them online in euros, and then skip the line.

Some words of caution: Make sure that you’re buying directly from the museum or attraction and not through a third-party company that will be tacking on a commission. (Double check the URL of the site. Also, check out the prices on the “official” Web site and make sure it’s the same price you’ll be paying.)

Also, don’t overdo this. Travel should be fun and spontaneous. Nothing crushes spontaneity as quickly as an overbooked trip, dictated by an overzealous to-do list. (For more on this, read this controversial essay on visiting “Paris without the Louvre.”)

Foreign transaction fees

It’s important to note that many American credit card companies now charge “foreign transaction fees” (up to 3%) for purchases made with foreign companies, even if made from the United States. For much more on this, see our post on fees for ATM withdrawals and credit card purchases in Europe.

Final note

Of course, if the dollar continues to grow stronger against the euro, you could find yourself in Europe with an even more advantageous exchange rate than today’s. In that case, you would have benefited from NOT pre-booking anything. Only time will tell.

Either way, one thing is for sure: Travel to Europe hasn’t been this budget-friendly for Americans in many years. If you’ve been putting off that trip, consider this your wake-up call! Happy travels.

Other ideas?

Do you have any other ideas for ways that Americans traveling abroad can benefit from the suddenly stronger dollar? Please tell us about it in the comments section below.

The post 6 Ways Americans heading to Europe can benefit now from a stronger dollar appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.