Money in Europe: What You Should Know Before You Go

Can I use my Credit Card when I travel? Do I need to get cash? Are there any tips on keeping my money safe while I travel? This videos focuses on and answers a number of questions that travelers have posted to us about money while they travel. From Travelers Checks to whether you use a debit card or credit card we try to help with our usual honest travel advice on money while traveling Europe.
Filmed in Kotor, Montenegro
Copyright Mark Wolters 2017

USA Today & 10Best's #1 Independent Travel Videographer 2014

FlipKey by TripAdvisor Top 10 Travel Bloggers 2014

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[KasdeyasVids]

When the Euro was introduced there were special scrap books to collect every Euro coin from every country. And they still exist with all extensions. Maybe that's something your boys might also enjoy?

[oskich]

Forget cash in the Nordics - Card is king here nowdays... A lot of restaurants and cafés don't accept cash anymore. VISA/Mastercard (AmEx in some places) or mobile payment is the norm.

[raphaelamak]

1. Don't use Euronet, as some comments have pointed out
2. If you go to Sweden, don't bother getting any cash, many shops don't accept cash anymore (bank fees, risk of robbery etc.) and you might end up with a pile of Swedish crowns that keeps sinking in value every day (at least for now)

[kowkje]

In the Netherlands are some Cashless stores. Debit cards are king in the Netherlands.

[TripHacksDC]

One travel hack to use up all your local currency is to ask to pay your hotel bill in cash first when you check out, then put the balance on your credit card!

[Mimi]

I swear your timing with this
topic is impeccable, I leave for Italy this weekend and I was just researching this.

[CaptainKeytie]

I think before you travel to europe you should ask your local bank if they have any partner banks in the country you go to. They take 5-10 euro per withdraw but at partner banks theres usually no fee. Also try to use ATMs by known companies and not one of these public street Atms, there they often have higher fees.

[eccoeco]

Why am I watching this I AM european...

[HungryGuyStories]

I once used travelers checks when I went to Europe. They were a pain in the poo-poo hole! Never again!

Now, I pay for my hotel in advance before I leave the US, and then use credit cards for train tickets and other large expenses, and cash for meals and taxis and everything else.

[PerSiden]

Cash isn't king everywhere in Europe. In Sweden for example you will find not all cafés and restaurants accept cash. Cards are on the other hand accepted everywhere.

[pinecone]

The one you said about the ATM's exchange rates were spot on in my experience in Lisbon. The actual GBP/EUR exchange rate at the time was about 1.08. All the ATM's were offering only about 0.98. We selected the 'decline offer' option and our bank gave us something like 1.07 for the exchange. Saved us around £50.

[bestgameplay]

English is always an option except in France

[paulleigh]

In Europe, they won’t accept your national currency for exchange if it is torn or the bank tellers back home have scribbled on it! This oversight can seriously effect your budget.

[christopherx]

Just a few comments:
1. Cash is not always king! In Sweden, it is becoming more and more common that stores don't accept cash at all! On the other hand, you can use a card almost anywhere: Buying a newspaper, some strawberries in the market square, an ice cream at the beach - you name it, they will most probably all accept cards!
2. If possible, avoid the ATM:s at the airport or obvoius tourist spots. You get a better exchange rate at the ATM the locals use.

[Timmie]

Cash is pretty much dead in the Netherlands. Many places don't even accept it anymore. Credit card, or even better your debit card is king. I believe there's a huge north/south difference in Europe these days.

[MarkBH]

Just got back from Terceira, Azores, Portugal. Cheap. I used a money belt and a wallet with a chain. Saved me this time.

[ajl]

NEVER EVER let them charge your card in USD (i.e. dynamic currency conversion) -- always ask to be charged in the local currency when making a credit card purchase. If you are charged in USD, you will get a terrible rate.

[idrisanwer]

I love your work please never stop. And I wanna say something crazy I'm watching your videos for improve my English lol because your sound very clear to comprehension and please go ahead just like that and never forget that you are talking to rhe world and its mean u have to use a simple language to understood. Thank u again sir

[runarandersen]

In Norway often the debit cards have highest fees on withdraw abroad. Many credit card is fee, but on most of them you have to pay interest. So check your cards before traveling - you might save some money.
Second: I would recommend traveling with more than one card - in case on of the stops working.

[casperrenting]

I miss a remark about the number one tourist trap when it comes to money matters: EuroNet ATMs.