|
Europe
> Money > ATMS & currency machines
ATMs and Currency-Exchange Machines
ABOVE: Need local currency? Head for the nearest
"bancomat," "cashpoint," or other ATM machine.
By
Durant Imboden
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
 In 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.)
About the author:
 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.
Top photo iStockphoto.com/William J. Murphy.
| |
|
"Best
of the Web" - Washington Post
