Do you know if I can have US dollars exchanged for Euro at Shannon at either a kiosk or machine? OR will I have to do this in Atlanta/and or use a credit card to pull money from?
thanks,
Tradman,
If you have an ATM card then you can get Euros at any ATM. I have done this in Ireland, Switzerland and Italy with no problems. The exchange from dollars to Euros is done electronically when your home account is debited. The exchange rate for an ATM transaction is better than you will get from a currency exchange.
Mike
The airport is usually the worst, most expensive place to change money. I agree that an ATM is often the best way to get the local cash. You can get traveller’s checks in Euros (no fee at AAA if you’re a member), but the airport banks will usually tack on a huge fee to chash them too.
You might be able to get some Euros at your home bank, especially if it’s a large bank. You might have to place an order a couple of days in advance. I’ve only done this once, fees were low. That was over 15 years ago.
Ditto on the ATM. Last summer I bought a few euros at the airport just to have a bit of cash and then used ATMs the rest of the trip. Never had a problem using credit cards or ATMs.
After further research, I see that the ATM option is much better. Thanks for your input and suggestions!
Eric
Be aware that there are different systems (e.g.: my bank uses the Cirrus system). If you have an ATM card that has “Visa” in it, you’re probably OK, but if you find that the ATMs in one bank don’t take your card, try another bank. Typically you’ll be charged a $2 fee whenever you withdraw Euros, but you get better exchange rate than you’d get from the money changers, so it’s worth it.
Make sure you get your money and a receipt. Last year in Kerry I used a cashpoint.The machine said it could not access my account so I went to another only to find on my return home that the first machine HAD debited my account.Luckily I was given a refund.