Exchange money before or after flight to Europe?

Question

I'm flying from the US to Europe on vacation in a few weeks, and I'm wondering whether it makes better financial sense for me to exchange my money to Euros before I leave or once I get there. Additionally, if it's better to exchange to Euros in the US, should I do it where I live (in DC) or in the airport I'm leaving from (Atlanta)?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't exchange money at all - use ATMs in Europe to get cash for the best exchange rate.  If you have to have cash right away upon landing, then wait until you get to Europe before exchanging money - airports and banks in the US usually have ripoff rates for selling foreign currency.

Answer 2

Of course you will need some euros on arrival (assuming you are flying to a eurozone country?).   For the rest of your trip you might find you get a better rate using cash machines (ATMs) as you go rather than buying cash at airports where you often get a bad exchange rate.   You might do well to talk to your bank and your credit card company and, also, tell them that you're going abroad so they don't block your card when you're away since they're not expecting you to be away.

Have a good trip!