Euros For Holiday

[perose]

I am going to Spain with a friend and I have not been before, could someone please advise me as to whether I take all my money with me in Euros or can I exchange some there ? I would rather not use bank cards while I am away ! Sorry if this is a strange question but I have never been a traveller !

[boxtops]

You can do both (or either) - the Post Office usually has a good exchange rate on euros if you want to take cash with you. However we never take cash to Spain, we always use our debit card and ATMs - they are just as safe over there as they are here as long as you look after the card.

[LyndaB]

You will be able to exchange sterling in most places in Spain. We always take all our currency in Euros as we can't be bothered to keep changing some every day - the apartment we use has a safety deposit box. Alternwtively you can tie travellers cheques which you can change into euros when you get there, these are safer to use as you can claim the money back if they are lost or stolen.

[boxtops]

...PS if you are going to take sterling and change it in Spain, shop around, don't use a hotel, look around at the bureaux de change who usually have much better rates and less commission. Personally, I am far more scared at the prospect of having wads of cash on me or in the room safe - we rarely carry more than 50 euros at any time.

[perose]

Thank you for your help !

[Kathyan]

We always take a money card with us. Just load it up with euros before you go and take it out as you need it!

[sherrardk]

The resort we stayed in Ibiza last year had no cash machines (we knew this before we went), may be best to check just in case you do need to use your card.

[diddlydo]

Just use plastic cards - much simpler.

[spudqueen]

Get the Post Office credit card. There is no commission on purchases abroad, and you can get currency (you'll always need some hard cash) again commission free at Post Offices.

[deggers316]

we use the atm's over there

[theshedman]

I usually take some in euros and the rest on the travel money card that has been mentioned. I order my card on-line from Thomas Cook and pick up in store and usually get a better rate than with the Post Office. Travelers cheques are getting harder to cash these days so I don't use them anymore. If your hotel room has a safe then make sure that you use it as that way you will be covered for anything that goes missing from your room and your insurance may not pay out if they find you have not used one. Another is if you do get a travel money card then get an extra card which does not cost so that if you have one stolen or lose it then you can phone the emergency number and cancel that card but still continue to use the other as they have different numbers. That way you won't have to pay for them to send out another card to you to replace the lost one. I personally wouldn't exchange it over there as the rate isn't usually much different to here and it is a waste of time on my holiday.

[BillyBB]

late to this party but look on moneysavingexpert at prepay currency cards. you usually get a better rate than in bureaux de change
you can even top them up whilst away if you have tinternet banking and a smartphone
i have fairfx dollar and euro cards and have been impressed by their service.
i use the dollar one to pay for online shopping from the states, never been there.