Buying Euros

Posted by: TomK on 13 January 2011

My son's off to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks to celebrate his birthday and has asked us to get him some Euros.

What's the best/cheapest/quickest way to do this?
Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Sniper
quote:
Originally posted by TomK:
My son's off to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks to celebrate his birthday and has asked us to get him some Euros.

What's the best/cheapest/quickest way to do this?


Your local bank or Thomas Cook should be able to help out very easily - I think you can still get a pre-paid ATM card from American Express travel offices. I used my local Thomas Cook for currency for years - if I wanted large amounts or some obscure currency I always gave them some warning. Do not under any circumstances wait to buy at the airport, especially once in the departure lounge or you will be robbed.
Posted on: 13 January 2011 by Mike-B
The good ol' Post Office is about as cheap & convenient as any in UK.
Once in Holland you will get a better rate exchanging paper notes rather than using ATM's as they attract a commission charge
Paying with a UK credit cards such as Master Card will get very good rates, but not so AmEx, their rates although as advertised look good, do charge a commission that drags it down to less than cards such as Master Card

AVOID airports & the so called currency exchange specialists - all speak with forked tongue
Posted on: 14 January 2011 by u5227470736789454
hiya,

I tend to use atm's and my experience is that although a commission will be applied it tends to be a single value fee ie 3.5 euro per transaction( the cost is normally shown on the atm screen ), so you just need to make sure you draw enough money in a single transaction to cover your time in the country so as to avoid repeatedly paying this fee.

Barrie
Posted on: 14 January 2011 by Steve2701
If you have a large M&S near you we have also found these to offer excellent rates. They bettered what we got from our bank when my daughter went to get some (admitedly Dollars) on the same day we received ours.
Posted on: 14 January 2011 by Howlinhounddog
Second the Atm's, just keep the visits to a minimum, then they are more cost effective than exchange.
Posted on: 14 January 2011 by winkyincanada
quote:
Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:
Second the Atm's, just keep the visits to a minimum, then they are more cost effective than exchange.


Yes, withdraw in larger amounts to minimise the fee-per-transaction and they are hard to beat. Those over the counter money changers are generally crooks. Buying from a bank can be OK.