I need €€€

SideWinder

SideWinder

SideWinder

Consigliere
Joined
12 Jun 2004
Posts
151,031
Location
SW17
I need them for tomorrow and i left it a little late. :o
Surely i can just use an ATM when i get to 'Dam?
Or would it be wise to go to Kingston or somewhere close and get some £££ converted?
 
Post offices are often the best places to go if youre looking for a good deal for currency swaps. I would imagine you can use an ATM when in (amsterdam?) but you might get charged for it.
 
I'd just go for an ATM when you get there. Transaction charges aren't huge and it's a lot more convenient. Just look for a machine with the cirrus symbol, which should be on the back of your debit card.
 
Mmm..that's what i'm thinking Vixen. Any idea about what the transaction fee is like? Tempted to perhaps get 50 Euros to keep me going in case for some random reason things don't work out but i'm sure it would all be okay? :)
 
What brand of bank are you with?

Nationwide is fee free and great rates.

Barclays has a global alliance and if the atm is a member its free.
 
Just go to the post office, or a travel agent, or even tesco if your local one has a foreign currency place. Loads of places offer commission free currency, and will have euros in stock.

I got some the other week from a co-op travel agent place.
 
SideWinder said:
Mmm..that's what i'm thinking Vixen. Any idea about what the transaction fee is like? Tempted to perhaps get 50 Euros to keep me going in case for some random reason things don't work out but i'm sure it would all be okay? :)
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I did actually have numbers on my pc a while ago, but I think I've lost them now, although it would only be a rough guide because every bank is different and they do change. I think the last time I checked it was around 1%, and one type of foreign transaction has a flat rate applied before that, but I think it's POS rather than ATM.

EDIT: The last time I went on holiday, we took a small amount of cash for a taxi from the airport etc, then went to the ATM a few times. We were visiting my mum where she was working though, and she told us that the difference between buying in the UK and using an ATM over there was pretty much negligable.
 
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when i was with natwest and went to paris i actually found it a bit cheaper and easier to use the atm while i was there, than to change money before going.
 
Asked Halifax earlier in the week and they told me they have a flat £1.50 for using a cashpoint abroad.
 
vaultingSlinky said:
Aye having a Nationwide card in a foreign country is better than sliced bread, I love it!
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It is until the stupid french people at the pay desk make you think you card has been cancelled.:rolleyes::(

Other than that it is by far the best building society/bank for going abroad.:)
 
Commission free places don't always offer the best rates.

I've found the best rate overall (including any transaction fees or commission charges) are found from ATMs or local bureau de change.
 
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