Why not use your credit/debit card in an ATM machine? From what I understand you get pretty decent rates. I did that in Canada. It was funny getting Canadian dollars with my card. Also, I paid for my families meal at the CN Tower. 222CAD. Ended up being about 170USD on my bank statement. I do think I’d like to have a little bit of currency ahead of time…just for emergencies. When I go next year I’ll probably get about 100-150 Euro ahead of time. That will cover me until I get across the ocean. =)

dont use travellers cheques
hard to change when u really need them

and not a great rate for u

use atms
check with ur bank if they charge u for using it ..some machines os will charge u ..so u could be paying double

i bought euros in aus…noone wants aussie dollars overseas lol…i wonder why…ill bring bananas next time and barter

Best bet is to avoid exchanging currency. You lose on every exchange.

Use your ATM card to withdraw the cash you need every two or three days — every day if you want to carry less cash and are willing to pay the ATM fees (I think it’s $2.00 at my credit union).

Do not bother with travelers checks. They’re a pain and you almost never get a good exchange rate.

If you can get a 100 or 200 euros before you leave home without paying a ridiculous commission and getting a bad exchange rate, do it. Hit the ATM in the airport for local currency when you land and/or carry a couple of hundred in US twenties and exchange at the airport — you won’t get a great exchange rate, but it will probably be better than what you’d get at home.

Thanks all! you guys and gals are life savers