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Currency Tips for Europe
Are you interested in currency tips specifically for Europe? When you’re ready to travel to any country in Europe, it’s essential to understand their currency, whether you buy currency online, or you are in the planning stages of your next big trip. Also, the Euro, as compared to a country’s actual money, causes confusion for travelers. Follow a few tips to gain the best European cash knowledge, then buy currency on Xchange for America, and explore some of the world’s oldest populations.
Skip Traveler’s Checks
This may be surprising, but it’s smart to forget the traveler’s checks. They are a hassle to obtain, they come with hefty fees, and there are more modern, convenient methods to money available. ATM’s in Europe are becoming reasonable, and many American banks have agreements with European countries. You can use your credit card most of the time there. Finally, simply carry cash – it’s the most convenient payment method across the continent.
Minimize Cash Exchange
Of course, the best way to minimize cash exchange is to do it before you leave, through Xchange for America. Remember that you lose money every time you exchange, up to 15% at some airports. Avoid this by only exchanging once, twice if necessary, and by exchanging up to 10%
more than you think you’ll need for your overall trip.
Make Sure to Use Local Cash or Euros
There are a number of locations in Europe who will accept dollars, but what they’re not telling you is that they are actually exchanging your money. This means that they are raising the price of the product by 20% to cover the conversion cost. You’ll have the convenience of paying in American money, but you’ll be unsuspectingly losing a great deal of money. Don’t do that to yourself. Use the local currency.
Understand Conversions
Smart travelers always understand conversions for the countries they visit. Each country’s currency system is decimalized, similar to the American dollar. There are a hundred “pennies” in every “dollar”. The names will be different, sometimes to confuse the tourist. However, look at the coins you receive in exchange – they will all have a number assigned to them. These numbers are similar to our own. Don’t let the foreign names intimidate you. You won’t need to lean on a currency converter once you understand this concept. Make sure you know the current conversion rates so you don’t get cheated easily. Practice conversions in your head so you can quickly determine if the price you are paying is a fair price.
Remember the Value of Coin
Remember that coins mean nothing at the end of the trip – get rid of them as soon as you can. They are difficult to exchange at home, and, of course, they are not worth as much as dollars. Change them to dollars as much as possible before leaving the country so you can easily change them back to American money when you come home. If possible, try to get American dollars before you leave – Xchange for America is an international website, so arrange to have your American money ready for you when you get home.