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ATMs and Currency-Exchange Machines

ATM (cashpoint)

ABOVE: Need local currency? Head for the nearest "bancomat," "cashpoint," or other ATM machine.

Money is the fuel that drives your vacation, and it comes in many different flavors. The simplest way to obtain local currency abroad is by using an ATM or automated teller machine.

An ATM will normally give you a better exchange rate than you'd get if you were buying foreign currency with cash or traveler's checks, since the exchange is made at the interbank wholesale rate. But watch out--some banks are now charging "conversion fees" on top of the interbank commission. See our ATM Conversion Fees article for details.

Europe was slower than the U.S. and Canada to join the ATM bandwagon, but today you'll find ATMs nearly everywhere you look in Western Europe (and in much of Eastern Europe as well). The names may vary--"Bancomat" is popular in Italy, for example--but the machines are easy to recognize. Just as important, many European ATMs have instructions in several languages to make life easier for the tourist.

Tips for using ATMs:

  • Make sure your ATM card is compatible. Does your bank's ATM card have a Plus, Cirrus, Visa, MasterCard, or EuroCard logo? These networks operate throughout Europe, so you should be able to find a compatible machine if the answer is "yes." (Still, it's a good idea to check with your bank, since a handful of banks put restrictions on overseas use.)

  • Have the right kind of PIN. MasterCard/Cirrus recommends a four-digit PIN (personal identification number) for use with ATMs in its European network. The Visa/Plus network accepts four- to six-digit PINs. Your pin should be numeric, not alphanumeric--e.g., "1245," not "ab12." If necessary, ask your bank to change your PIN or translate it into numbers before you leave home.

  • Don't change small sums. Most banks charge a flat fee for each ATM transaction outside their own networks. (For example, one of our banks charges US $3 for each withdrawal from a "foreign" machine at home or abroad.) If a withdrawal of 50 euros costs as much as a 300-euro transaction, it makes sense to get the higher amount--assuming, of course, that you have a safe place for the extra cash and will be in the country long enough to spend it.

  • Carry a backup ATM or credit card. If you lose your ATM card or a machine can't read it, an ATM card for a different bank, or your Visa or MasterCard, will be a lifesaver. You'll also find a credit card handy if your expenses are higher than planned and your bank account runs dry. (If you have an American Express card, you can use it to obtain money at that company's European offices.)

  • Notify your bank before leaving home. Some banks block overseas transactions to prevent fraud unless they've been notified of the cardholder's travel plans.

  • Bring along cash. A modest supply of cash is nice to have if the ATM link to your home bank isn't working. (Carry the money in a safe place, such as a zippered "neck vault" or a money belt).

  • Be prepared for surprises. Reader John Koeller reports that the MasterCard/Cirrus ATM Locator showed machines in Slovenia, but those ATMs wouldn't dispense cash to non-Slovenians at the time of his visit. Having a stash of banknotes and a credit card could save the day if you can't find a friendly ATM.

  • Expect talking ATMs soon! Reader Mark Rothschild filed this report after a recent trip to Japan: "ATMs in most 7-11 convenience stores and many post offices 'speak' foreign languages, especially English.  Also, Citibank has been a reliable source of English-speaking ATMs for some time now."

Currency-exchange machines

currency-exchange machineIn airports, railroad stations, and other tourist gathering places, you'll often find machines that let you exchange foreign banknotes for local cash. These typically accept major Western European currencies along with U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, and Japanese yen.

You'll pay a premium for the convenience of these machines (since the exchange rate isn't very good), but they're a handy way to unload cash from the last country you visited or to get a small amount of money in a country that you're passing through.

Related Web sites

Visa Global ATM Locator
Find automated teller machines in cities and airports around the world. (This page will open in a new window.)


Money tools and tips at Europeforvisitors.com:
Europe on a budget (money-saving tips)
Currency converter
The euro
ATMs and exchange machines
ATM conversion fees
Using credit cards in Europe
Credit-card surcharges
Prepaid Travel Money Cards (debit cards)
Traveler's checks
Tax-free shopping (VAT refunds)
Travel-insurance articles

About the author:

Durant Imboden photo.Durant Imboden is a professional travel writer, book author, and editor who focuses on European cities and transportation.

After 4-1/2 years of covering European travel topics for About.com, Durant and Cheryl Imboden co-founded Europe for Visitors in 2001. The site has earned "Best of the Web" honors from Forbes and The Washington Post.

For more information, see About Europe for Visitors, press clippings, and reader testimonials.