Best way to take euro's abroad?

shauncr91

shauncr91

shauncr91

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Going on holiday to Spain at end of this month and was wondering what the best way is to take my money. It's my first holiday without parents so it's all new to me.

I'm looking to take around £600, and don't want to take it all in cash/cheques.

Some people have suggested taking the money in cash and getting people to change it there as they want GBP due to the exchange rate.

What I'm thinking is one of the spending cards which I can get from my travel agent, which charge 2 euro per transaction but are protected if lost/stolen etc. However I think I may get far from a good deal with the exchange rate from my travel agent?

So what do people consider to be the best idea, for both security and getting a good exchange rate?

Thanks :)
 
Open a Santander current account and withdraw cash - free withdrawls in Spain with Santander.

Ignore all other advice because all of the other suggestions so far will cost you more :p
 
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Get a Cash Passport. I had one when I went on holiday for a few weeks last year and it was brilliant, you can use it at most if not all cash points without paying to get money out. Probably take a bit of cash as well.
 
I recommend cash passports as well. I've had my bank card skimmed in ibiza before only to get my account emptied a few months later. In fact for my summer trip most of my cash is on a cash passport as its safe and acts like a regular card. You can even get a spare card.
 
I took about £600 worth of Euro's last month on my little weekend trip to Europe and it worked for me...was a lot of notes but i didnt manage to get my wallet nicked or my money lost.
 
I don't know about Spain, but in France, I found that if I used my card in a supermarket, there's no ATM charge. Just the exchange rate. On ATMs, there is a charge of at least £2 a pop. Some petty cash I just changed at the airport.
 
qqg3 said:
This. I have a euro and dollar card, they work perfectly.
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In what possible way is paying them extra money better than my suggestion?

I don't get it - I've suggested a completely FREE, risk free way of taking the money - simply withdrawing it from ATM's for convenience - with the best exchange rate you are likely to get - yet everyone seems to prefer getting charged by forex places instead? :confused:
 
Fox, if I went to santander tomorrow and opened an account, you reckon id have my card before my flight on 25th? Also is it free withdrawels with a debit card or just credit?

Ta
 
[TW]Fox;19344894 said:
In what possible way is paying them extra money better than my suggestion?

I don't get it - I've suggested a completely FREE, risk free way of taking the money - simply withdrawing it from ATM's for convenience - with the best exchange rate you are likely to get - yet everyone seems to prefer getting charged by forex places instead? :confused:
Click to expand...

Only just noticed OP is only going to Spain, seems Santander might work out. I just have the FX cards because I travel between countries a bunch.
 
Stuff the cash in a balloon, tie it up tightly and then shove it up your anus. It's nearly impossible to detect, especially as they aren't particularly looking to detect cash.
 
[TW]Fox;19344894 said:
In what possible way is paying them extra money better than my suggestion?

I don't get it - I've suggested a completely FREE, risk free way of taking the money - simply withdrawing it from ATM's for convenience - with the best exchange rate you are likely to get - yet everyone seems to prefer getting charged by forex places instead? :confused:
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that the FairFX card had a better exchange rate for Euros compared to using your banks credit/debit card abroad.
 
apeZ said:
I was under the impression that the FairFX card had a better exchange rate for Euros compared to using your banks credit/debit card abroad.
Click to expand...

Not when your bank uses Visa base rate for exchange. Companies like FairFX make money from offering inferior exchange rates.
 
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