Where's best/cheapest place to get some Euros?

JethroUK

Im going abroad 1st time to France and Germany

I'll need some Euros

Should i get some before i go - from the bank? - I have heard Travel Agents give you a better deal

Also I was wondering whether I could just get some from cash point when i get there? Are the very common over there & would that be an expensive way to get some?

bazster

Only get a small amount before you go. Cashpoints are plentiful, usually your card issuer charges a small fixed fee each time you use one (mine was £1.50 I think last time I checked), so it's pretty cheap if you take out a reasonable amount (say a couple of hundred Euros) each time. What you do need to watch out for is that the machine will often offer to charge you in Sterling i.e. the foreign bank will do the exchange for you. You should always decline this and request to be charged in Euros. This way your own bank will do the exchange and you'll get a much better rate.

I should clarify that I'm talking about using your cash card, NOT your credit card! Never stick a credit card into a hole-in-the-wall, either in the UK or abroad, unless you are desperate for emergency cash!

When I and the OH go abroad we take a selection of cash and credit cards, and she carries one of mine and I carry one of hers. That way we are less likely to finish up completely strapped in case of loss or theft.

JethroUK

Read some stuff and seems Tesco are best value for buying Euros, 1st Direct (my bank) dont charge anything for spending with my debit card - sorted

Just need to know whether to buy Euros now or in a couple weeks - Are they going up or down?

bazster

JethroUK wrote: »

Read some stuff and seems Tesco are best value for buying Euros, 1st Direct (my bank) dont charge anything for spending with my debit card - sorted

Just need to know whether to buy Euros now or in a couple weeks - Are they going up or down?

There's a difference between spending with your debit card and withdrawing cash with it, you might want to check on that. Also don't buy any big-ticket items (more than £100 equivalent) abroad with your debit card, use a credit card, so you've got Section 75 protection. The Post Office credit card still charges no fees for overseas purchases.

As for getting cash in advance, I only ever get maybe 50-100 euros so rates aren't going to make much difference. I usually pop into M & S just because it's convenient.

I can predict with absolute certainty that over the next couple of weeks the Euro will go up. Or down. Or stay the same.

zagfles

JethroUK wrote: »

Read some stuff and seems Tesco are best value for buying Euros, 1st Direct (my bank) dont charge anything for spending with my debit card - sorted

Just need to know whether to buy Euros now or in a couple weeks - Are they going up or down?

Err, yes they do, I bank with First Direct but never use their card abroad, they charge 2.75% for spending, plus an additional 2% for ATM withdrawals.

Much better off using my Halifax Clarity & Nationwide Select cards.

Oh and don't buy Euros in the UK, that's an even bigger rip-off! Just withdraw when you get there.

JethroUK

zagfles wrote: »

Err, yes they do, I bank with First Direct but never use their card abroad, they charge 2.75% for spending, plus an additional 2% for ATM withdrawals. ....

I used the guide here......which indicates 1st Direct SPENDING CHARGE = NONE

but i spose I need to check with 1st Direct

zagfles

JethroUK wrote: »

I used the guide here......which indicates 1st Direct SPENDING CHARGE = NONE

but i spose I need to check with 1st Direct

They mark up the exchange rate, see the T&Cs. Still much better than changing cash though - where the exchange rate is marked up even more.

beekay1943

I usually buy all the Euros I think I might need prior to leaving the UK and take a credit card with me for any large or unexpected purchases. I have previously dealt with http://www.fairfx.com/ or http://www.ace-fx.com who usually give higher exchange rates than the local travel Agents/M&S/Tesco etc and next day delivery is usually free if amount is over £500. However, I have recently learned that these MailBox/Cheque Cashing premises on the high street also tend to offer better local exchange rates.