Going to Europe...exchange currency before I leave or not?

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old lady

Why do people keep asking about traveling with wads of money? Unless you have a really good crystal ball, you have no idea what the dollar, or the Euro is going to do. BUT -- is there any place in Europe that doesn't have a bank with an ATM? Nope. So why not make life easier, take a few US dollars (easy to change anywhere) and a credit card and charge stuff while you are there, and withdraw money from the ATM in local currency, taking just as much as you need.
When you get back, you can pay in Canadian dollars.
Sounds like a great trip. Have fun and travel safely!

traveller

I just went to Europe and the best thing I did was to get Euro before I left the country because I didn't have to muck around at any exchanges and was able to go right to the London Tube and purchase my travel card and purchase stuff that I needed right away; a very good thing when you're exhausted and just want to go to bed.

buttons

i would exchange some of your money before you leave so you have money right away and don't have to wait to get to a bank. then i you need more, exchange it while your there

Constant_Traveler

I always exchange some. I never bring Canadian cash because the rates are so high at the exchange kiosks. I usually get some from my bank and then jsut use my bank card and credit card in Europe. I hate carrying large amounts of cash on me, especially in Europe. Just make sure that your bank account is a chequing account and that you have a 4 digit pin code, not 5. If you don't have a credit card then I would advise getting some Traveler cheques in Euros or US currancy for emergancies. This is because the Euro and the US dollar are the easiest to exchange. If you can try and exchange at an actual bank not an Exchange kiosk as you will get a better rate. In Europe most places do accept visa or mastercard but the usually require you to use your pin for it or show ID.

blowski

No way, it's much cheaper to exchange it when you're in the country itself. Check out how much it will cost you to withdraw from a cash machine while you're still in Canada, and what the current rates are for all the countries that you are visiting. If it's cheap to withdraw, then just do that all the time. If not, go with the following plan.

When you get there, get a few Euros out of the cash machine to get you from the airport into town. You will be able to get a much better exchange rate once you're there, though be careful of anyone offering to exchange money in the middle of the street as it's often counterfeit or stolen. Also, the very best details are normally in the little kiosks outside the centre, and away from the main tourist locations. Very often, they do not have big flashy signs on them. Also, check out the banks as some of them offer the best rates.

When you're in Poland, Euros are normally accepted close to the border (if you're going by train through Kostrzyn for example) or around Warsaw airport if you're flying. Then do the same as with the Euros.

If possible, bring US dollars instead of Canadian, as you'll get a better exchange rate from a lot of places.

Enjoy Europe anyway, especially Polska. Do widzenia :)

Smarty Vero

There is no best way. Either way you tend to get screwed with the exchange rate... I would get a few Euros and whatever the Polish currency is here from my bank so you avoid commission. Then you can use your debit VISA or MASTERCARD to get more cash from the local ATMs.

borscht

There are loads of ATM (Cash points, ATB, etc) in Europe. I did not notice many (if any) places where I could exchange my Canadian money into Polish zloty. The international currency seams to be the American dollar, if you are in a pinch.
What I would do is exchange perhaps $50 or $100 CND into Euros just to get you started. Airports do have the highest concentration of currency exhanges, though their rates are a little higher.
Again, I mainly used ATM's or my credit cards at hostels and travel.

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