Exchanging Money recommendations????

Going on the June 6th Rhine and Moselle North trip. Arriving 1 day early and staying 1 day after. Being a novice.... Should I bring Swiss Francs and Euros with me? What is recommended? I know small stores on "free time" do not want to deal with Credit cards and Switzerland does not take Euros.

Advice would be appreciated.

Comments

  • You will probably get a better rate in Europe, so unless you plan to arrive on a Sunday and need cash immediately, I would wait until you arrive. Although I haven't confirmed this, Rick Steves claims you will get the best rate with your ATM card, especially for relatively small sums. Be sure to bring a (4-digit) PIN number with you (I learned the hard way that U.S. banks allow PIN numbers longer than 4 digits, but European banks don't). Also, it's a good idea to call your bank to let them know that you will be using your ATM card (and any credit cards) out of the country.
  • yes I agree you should wait till you get there and go to and ATM. You don't want too may swiss franks because you will not be there long.
  • Crackers,

    It has been our experience to go to an ATM machine at the airport as soon as we arrive in that country. Not a money exchange as they charge more. As mentioned, let your bank know which countries you will be in and ask their rates. My bank allows three free withdrawals then charges $5. Each transaction after that. There has been talk about credit cards needing a chip in them to work in Europe, we never had a problem, but have not been to Switzerland. Perhaps your bank will know.
  • Sorry ---meant for dbmalone, not Crackers
  • I agree that using the ATM is the best way to obtain cash when traveling to another country, however I have also found that I like to start with a small amount of the currency that I will be using. Recently my local bank offers the service of obtaining foreign currency. The reason I like to start with a little is because sometimes the lines waiting at the airport ATMs are extremely long (and someone is picking you up) or the machine is not operating. I know that the service picking you up will wait but they probably have some type of schedule to keep also.
  • I know that Europe is "ahead" of the U.S. in installing RFID chips in credit cards, but I had not heard that such chips were required for use. My non-RFID cards worked fine in Switzerland last September. Of course, such cards won't work with readers that don't make physical contact with the the card, but I trust vendors to find a way to get my money.
  • I have always used my credit card in Europe with no problem except that a couple of years ago I went to a beauty parlor in a mall in Copenhagen and they couldn't accept a card without a chip.

    I understand that more and more European stores are requiring chips. I am going on the Black Sea to Budapest riverboat in June and didn't want a problem, so I called my bank a week ago and they sent me a new card with a chip, same card number, same expiry date, etc. You can still use it here as you always have.

    It probably wouldn't hurt to request one if your bank can accommodate.

    Sue
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