Best exchange rate is always at an ATM affiliated w/a bank. NOT an exchange kiosk or EuroNet. You really don't need much cash other than for small cafes/etc. You can certainly get Euros from your Bank or AAA before leaving, but you will pay more for them. There are usually no added fees, but they do increase the rate compared to what the rate actually is - you can now check this on your iPhone calculator.
If you go to the Rick Steves website, under Travel Tips, under MONEY - he explains this very well and also good info on how to avoid the Dynamic Currency stuff. Always let YOUR bank do the conversion at an ATM. Always pay in LOCAL currency when using a CreditCard at a machine/phone/cash register.
(only time you'll need lots of cash is if this were a Xmas Market trip as the vendors in the markets want cash - but just a standard trip to Europe, CreditCards are easy - as is Apple Pay on your phone)
I'm expecting the Danube cruise to be completely euros and anything else is not needed. I'm not sure how much to take, but I'll be getting some euros from my bank before we go - we can order them and have in a few days. I don't think there is a fee done this way. I also understand that Tauck will be sending us a few euros in the mail.
I always bring local currency, especially if the countries visited are euro-based. How much I bring depends on how many pre-and-post tour days I am adding. I also purchase them at home through my brokerage firm—no fees and no overnight delivery charges. I also have a credit card exclusively for travel with some nice “rewards.”
I think if I did this I'd only do so for Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic where we are there the longest. Germany and Slovakia are just one day. I'd consider for Budapest and Prague since we are there in hotels. Will look into it, but know credit cards can be used. Big concern is bathroom $.
Thanks for making me aware of this - kfnknfzk. We're going on Danube Sept. 1-13-25. I was under the impression euros were good everywhere from the dozens of videos I've watched. I'm looking it up now and see local is preferred and euros sometimes not accepted. I will take care of this through my local bank beforehand though and don't plan to spend too much that I couldn't charge. Just need enough for snacks and toilet, I hope.
When on group excursions, your tour directors will handle restroom breaks if there is a charge. I would refrain from bringing currency other than the €. I don’t think you would want to bring home an assortment of currency you might not ever need again. Enjoy your trip.
If you have extra local currency that you don't want to bring home, you can use it to pay for hotel incidental charges (and make up the difference on your credit card).
Part of the time we won't be with Tauck -- first day in Budapest, and then free time in Prague and at airport. That is why I want a little of their currency on hand, not a lot.
Comments
Currency is country specific.
Best to get your money at an atm in the country. You will not need a lot of local currency
Best exchange rate is always at an ATM affiliated w/a bank. NOT an exchange kiosk or EuroNet. You really don't need much cash other than for small cafes/etc. You can certainly get Euros from your Bank or AAA before leaving, but you will pay more for them. There are usually no added fees, but they do increase the rate compared to what the rate actually is - you can now check this on your iPhone calculator.
If you go to the Rick Steves website, under Travel Tips, under MONEY - he explains this very well and also good info on how to avoid the Dynamic Currency stuff. Always let YOUR bank do the conversion at an ATM. Always pay in LOCAL currency when using a CreditCard at a machine/phone/cash register.
(only time you'll need lots of cash is if this were a Xmas Market trip as the vendors in the markets want cash - but just a standard trip to Europe, CreditCards are easy - as is Apple Pay on your phone)
I'm expecting the Danube cruise to be completely euros and anything else is not needed. I'm not sure how much to take, but I'll be getting some euros from my bank before we go - we can order them and have in a few days. I don't think there is a fee done this way. I also understand that Tauck will be sending us a few euros in the mail.
I always bring local currency, especially if the countries visited are euro-based. How much I bring depends on how many pre-and-post tour days I am adding. I also purchase them at home through my brokerage firm—no fees and no overnight delivery charges. I also have a credit card exclusively for travel with some nice “rewards.”
I think if I did this I'd only do so for Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic where we are there the longest. Germany and Slovakia are just one day. I'd consider for Budapest and Prague since we are there in hotels. Will look into it, but know credit cards can be used. Big concern is bathroom $.
Thanks for making me aware of this - kfnknfzk. We're going on Danube Sept. 1-13-25. I was under the impression euros were good everywhere from the dozens of videos I've watched. I'm looking it up now and see local is preferred and euros sometimes not accepted. I will take care of this through my local bank beforehand though and don't plan to spend too much that I couldn't charge. Just need enough for snacks and toilet, I hope.
I’ve never been on a Tauck tour where the TD has not provided small change for bathrooms, or goes ahead and pays for everyone.
To help out Lady Samme -- my research shows for currency: Hungary – Forint; Czech Republic - Koruna/CZK
Germany, Austria and Slovakia are Euro.
When on group excursions, your tour directors will handle restroom breaks if there is a charge. I would refrain from bringing currency other than the €. I don’t think you would want to bring home an assortment of currency you might not ever need again. Enjoy your trip.
If you have extra local currency that you don't want to bring home, you can use it to pay for hotel incidental charges (and make up the difference on your credit card).
Part of the time we won't be with Tauck -- first day in Budapest, and then free time in Prague and at airport. That is why I want a little of their currency on hand, not a lot.
Use a credit card. We didn’t use any cash
Yes, I agree with British. Use a credit card for all that you can and accrue points.