Traveling to Malaga this weekend. Do i need to exchange dollars for euros b4 i leave?

Question

Do I need euros when I get there?

I have a bank mac card - should I just draw money out when i fly in?

Whats the average bank fee over there?

Is there any banks that charge less then others for euros?

Is it better to get travelers checks?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

FORGET TRAVELLERS CHEQUES..THEY ARE A GIANT PAIN IN THE *** HERE IN SPAIN.. you will never get them cashed.. bring your bank card.. the bank charges are minimal.. its the best way to get money.  Believe me I have lived here for 6 years, and I am always meeting tourists with stories of problems getting checks cashed..most restaurant won´t take them either. One further note..DON´T assume that all restaurants take credit cards either.. ask first.. I live in a town where about only 3 restaurants take credit cards.

Answer 2

Use your visa card and you can withdrawl on every moment. Changing money before is not usefull. With a visa or other creditcard you can pay anywhere (shops, restaurants, markets,...).

Adios y bueno via.

Answer 3

You can use your bank card at the airport in Malaga to withdraw money (that's what I did), but you could also bring about 100 Euros cash to save yourself from the hassle. Make sure you have notified your bank that you are leaving the country so they don't get suspicious that someone is using your card in Spain and cancel it.

It's easy to withdraw money from ATMs because they have language choices. I wouldn't carry around US currency. Just use your ATM card. I didn't use any travelers checks. Some banks do charge a smaller fee. I think Caja Madrid is one of them. Good luck.

Answer 4

Be careful changing money, nowadays is better change euros for dollars, so you will think you are losing money. I don't recommend you travelers checks, is not useful in Spain.

I think it's better to change money once you have arrived because you will know more or less if Spain in a cheap country for you or not, if you are coming from US I think you will find everything is cheaper for you, specially tobacco and alcohol ;-)

Normally the average bank fee is no more than 5%, but I think for some banks it's free.

I hope this will help you.

Answer 5

You get better rate if you change money in Malaysia. Cash is always good, rate is not comparable with TC.