Travelling to Germany, Have a few questions!?

Question

I'm going to germany with cash... how and where do i convert it? I'll be staying with a host family, anything that i should know about courtesy with them would be very appreciated. Also, what's a good amount of money to bring with... I'll be over there for three weeks. Any help or general advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Wulf is abosotely CORRECT.

I just came back from Frankfurt after a week stay and thank GOD I did not carry all cash!!!  NOT due to robbers but my own stupidity.  Yes my ATM cards worked here too as long as they have the Visa or MC symbol on them. That saved me big time, plus having to go to the Dentist on emergency was also a huge pain and costly. So NO do not take all cash, Wulf is right, who ever gave him two thumbs down must be the TROLLS he mentioned earlier.

Ignore the thumbs and just read the answers to get your best one. I will go back again but I will never take all cash again ever nor Travellers checks, those were a costly mistake.

Answer 2

No doubt Wulf and the others are correct on this one. Any one silly enough to take all cash is taking a huge risk in many ways.

That is what banks are for! Compare the rate fees and exchange rates daily to try and get the best deal, sometimes the airport is better sometimes the bank there and other times pre ordering them from your home bank can be done too.

Yes I agree too with you all typical trolls out again to try and stain good answers but all of us are smart enough to read rather than rely on thumbs. Too many troll's with their sheep lately!! Rather than counting to themselves they must be thumbing down one sheep, two sheep down etc until they fall asleep.

George is a great Dr from other answers I am sure he will responds and offer his kinds services as will Horst who can give them professional ones.

Take some cash and get the rest from a bank as you need it your far safer! Wulf and the others could not be more correct no matter what the trolls vote down, notice they thumb down but have no alternative answer because it is the best answer.  Guess sheep will do that to you.

Answer 3

I have only traveled a few times but I even know better than to take all cash, Wulf and all the above are correct.

Be smart and get yourself a Card that you can draw from their bank machines and take what you need with you and not too much. If your talking a couple to three thousand petty sure that is fine but don't be carrying ten thousand or so on you, use the banks as they said!

The rates are also as they stated.  I guess that the thumbs down are from our n**i Sheep Lovers I kept reading about, thats why you don't want to take cash, they will use it to buy a new flock and abuse em, I hope Horst can help them, they are in serious need, you should read some of the answers in previous Frankfurt Germany posts. Most amazing.

Answer 4

Oh with out a doubt Wulf is correct.

I am German and live in Hanover but have been to other countries too and he is absolutely correct. Any thumbs down as I see here are obvious trolls and do not want you to know the truth so they can rip you off and buy sheep I am told by others and take you away to Frankfurt as part of his personal harem of heard!!  

Take only what you need and use the Geldomatics.

Thumbs up WULF and you too Di, hope you enjoyed Frankfurt. Try Hanover sometime!

Answer 5

Wulf is right... as for your atm card, cirrus is part of mastercard, so it should be no problem.  When in doubt, find a bank atm-- your chances or it working are better, although it should work at any ATM.

As for carrying cash, here's the best soultion I've found-- the "hidden pocket".  It has loops that go over you belt, and then you simply tuck it inside your pants/ shorts.  It's more comfortable than a money belt, easier to get to, and is big enough to also hold things like a plane ticket and/ or passport.

http://www.magellans.com/store/Safety___...

Answer 6

Just to add on to this:

if you take cash in huge amounts you have to declare it to customs, else your may be subjected to legal ramifications.

(I don’t remember the amount for the EU, for Australia it is 10.000 AUD)

Also carrying CASH may look suspicious to TAX, Immigration and Security (terrorists, drug etc) agencies.

Your better off with a credit card. American Express is nOT accepted everywhere, use VISA.

Answer 7

Hey

One word of advice DO NOT take all cash and if you DO do not carry it all in ONE place either!!  

Their Geldomatics and Banks will allow you to use your Debit or ATM or CC there to obtain funds at a minimal fee.  No matter where you go they will charge you a fee to convert be it at the airport or a bank. At banks though you generally need your passport with you and they all charge for conversions so change only what you need for when you return you will have to pay again to convert back!!!

@Di, Thanks.. It is just jealous trolls as usual, I ignore them took they mak me laugh out loud all the time. Thanks for your two cents!!

@Asker - No worries, trolls dont bother me lol.  No that card will not work at most I know of, it needs to have a Visa or MC symbol on it, they make debit cards with these on them at many banks so I would suggest a bank with one like that, it is how I do it, I take about 2k in petty and then take what I need via their ATM's *Geldomatics as needed and if I need a large amount I go to a bank with the card and charge it their for the cash advance and pay the fee.  It is much safer, and NO what you want to carry is not too much but do not carry it all in ONE place and definately not in the luggage that goes UNDER the plane. Seperate it and keep some in your wallet, some in your front pant pockets and them maybe some rolled up in socks with your carrry on. That way you will have some cash no matter what and also make sure you get a photo copy of your passport if it is lost it will be easier for them to replace it for you, just keep it seperate from your real passport. I am glad I have been of help.

Thank you every one so far for your support against the no name trolls that can thumb down but are too chicken to answer!!

Answer 8

Definitely don't take only cash...my sister did that once when she went to London and, even though she had split it up in different places, it still hurt when she lost a huge chunk of it. She had to call me to wire her money. Ouch!

But also, don't rely completely on a credit card while you're there. There are a lot of places in Germany that will only accept cash. If you go to a clothing store the chances are very good that they'll take a credit card but the majority of the restaurants that I've been to only accept cash.