Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?
Traveling to Europe can be exciting – whether you’re going for a family vacation, a semester abroad, or an important business trip.
However, before you get swept away by visions of the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, or a gondola ride in Venice, you might stop and ask yourself a practical but very important question: Should I exchange money before I travel to Europe?
It may seem like a minor detail compared to booking flights or choosing hotels, but it can quietly eat into your budget. Without the right currency, even simple things – like grabbing a coffee after landing or paying for a taxi – can become stressful.
Many first-time travelers often wonder: Should I get euros before going to Europe, or is it smarter to wait? The truth is, while having a little cash on hand is smart, it’s not always worth buying large amounts of euros in advance.
That said, let’s break down when is the best time to buy euros, how much cash is enough, and the smartest ways to exchange your dollars.
Do you need euros before your trip?
Believe it or not, this is often the first thing most travelers ask: Should I get euros before going to Europe? The answer depends on your arrival situation.
Imagine you’ve just landed in Rome after a long overnight flight. You’re exhausted, your phone battery is dying, and the taxi stand only accepts cash. In this situation, having even 50 euros on hand can make life much easier. Small purchases like bottled water, snacks, or metro tickets are also easier with coins and notes.
On the flip side, if you’re heading to Scandinavia or the Netherlands, you might notice that nearly everything – from coffee shops to street vendors – takes cards. Digital payments are widely accepted, and in some places, cash is becoming rare. For many travelers, carrying a card with no foreign transaction fees is more useful than a thick wallet full of bills.
So here’s the rule of thumb: bring just enough euros to cover your first day – airport transfers, snacks, tips – and rely on cards for the rest.
Think of it like packing: you wouldn’t bring your entire wardrobe, just the essentials. In the same way, having a small amount of euros ready for “day one” peace of mind is smart, but you don’t need to stockpile.
Is it cheaper to get euros in the U.S. or in Europe?
Here’s the million-dollar (or should we say, “euro”) question: Is it better to exchange money in the U.S. or Europe?
Let’s find out.
U.S. bank fees vs. European exchange offices
If you order euros from your local bank in the U.S., you’ll usually get a decent rate – better than what you’d find at the airport; however, not as good as the interbank rate (the rate banks use with each other).
Many banks allow you to order currency online and pick it up a few days later. Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America all offer this service.
In Europe, official exchange offices and ATMs often provide better rates, but it depends on where you go. Some European ATMs charge low withdrawal fees, especially if your U.S. bank has a partner abroad.
For instance, Bank of America has partnerships with BNP Paribas in France and Deutsche Bank in Germany.
Why airport and hotel exchanges are the worst deal
One universal rule: never exchange at the airport or a hotel front desk. These places charge the highest fees.
According to Rick Steves2, travelers can lose up to 10% of their cash value thanks to terrible exchange rates and hidden fees. It’s like buying a bottle of water at a theme park – you pay for convenience, not value.
How much cash should you bring to Europe?
So, how much cash should I bring to Europe for 2 weeks? This is where most travelers overthink. Should you stuff hundreds of euros in your wallet, or just wing it with your card?
Average tourist expenses
According to the European Travel Commission, most people spend around €100–€200 per day in Western Europe. But here’s the key: the majority of that goes to hotels, restaurants, and train tickets – things you can easily pay for with a card.
For everyday expenses, 100–300 euros in cash is usually enough for two weeks. That covers taxis, museum lockers, small cafés, or tips. Anything more is just bulky and risky to carry.4
Country differences
Not every country handles cash the same way. In Germany and Austria, cash is still surprisingly common, even in restaurants.
Meanwhile, in Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark), many shops are “card-only” and won’t accept cash at all. Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece) falls somewhere in the middle – cards are fine, but small cafés and taxis may prefer euros.3
Best time to exchange dollars to euros
This brings us to timing. Travelers often ask: When is the best time to buy euros? If only there were a magic formula that told you the exact day to exchange money.
The truth is, there isn’t. Exchange rates move constantly – sometimes changing by the minute – because they’re tied to global events, inflation numbers, and even political decisions.
For example, in 2022, the euro briefly dropped to near parity with the U.S. dollar. That meant $1 could buy almost €1, making Europe suddenly a bargain for American travelers. However, unless you have a crystal ball, it’s impossible to predict those moments perfectly.
Still, there are some practical tips that can help you avoid losing money:
Foreign exchange markets close on Friday evening, but banks and exchange services still operate. The catch? They often set less favorable rates on weekends to protect themselves from fluctuations while markets are closed. If you need euros, try to exchange on a weekday instead.
Historically, rates tend to stabilize on Tuesday and Wednesday. While there’s no guarantee, these days often offer more predictable pricing than Mondays (when markets react to weekend news) or Fridays (when volatility picks up again).
If you’re exchanging $500, the difference between a rate of 1.05 and 1.07 USD/EUR comes out to about $10. That’s the price of a quick lunch in Paris – not worth the stress of trying to time the market like a Wall Street trader.
Services such as BOSS Money enable you to lock in the exchange rate the moment you make a transfer. That way, you’re not caught off guard by sudden swings.
Consider it like buying plane tickets: sure, you might save a little by timing it perfectly, but the bigger savings come from avoiding the worst times – like buying at the last minute.6
Where should you exchange money?
Not all exchange locations are created equal. Here’s a breakdown:
In the US
Your best bet is to order euros from your bank before your trip. Most banks can get you the currency within 2–3 business days. While the rates aren’t perfect, they’re usually far better than what you’d find once you land at an airport.
If you only want a small emergency stash for taxis, snacks, or tips when you arrive, this is the easiest and safest way to prepare.5
In Europe
Once you’re there, ATMs linked to major banks are usually the best deal. They give you a near-market exchange rate with fewer hidden costs. Look for machines located at actual bank branches instead of standalone ones in train stations or busy tourist areas.
And here’s a key tip – when the ATM asks if you’d like to be charged in dollars or euros, always choose euros. Selecting dollars triggers a “dynamic currency conversion,” which often adds a sneaky fee.1
Where not to exchange
Avoid the tempting but expensive options – airport kiosks, hotel reception desks, and flashy tourist exchange offices.
These places advertise convenience, but their inflated rates and fees can quickly eat into your travel budget. Think of them as the overpriced vending machines of money exchange: useful only in an emergency, but not worth it otherwise.
Can you use U.S. dollars in Europe?
The short answer is ‘almost never’.
Outside of a few tourist shops in major cities (and even then, at a terrible rate), U.S. dollars won’t be accepted. Picture trying to pay for your New York subway ticket with British pounds – it’s just not how the system works.
So yes, you’ll need euros, even if just for the basics.
How BOSS Money helps travelers save
Traditional ways of exchanging money – standing in line at airport kiosks, carrying large sums of cash, or paying hidden fees at banks – feel outdated.
Today’s travelers want something simpler, safer, and more predictable. That’s where BOSS Money comes in. It’s designed to make handling foreign currency as stress-free as possible, and it solves several common travel headaches.
One of the biggest frustrations with exchanging money is not knowing what you’re really paying. Airport counters often lure you in with flashy “no commission” signs, but then give you a terrible exchange rate. With BOSS Money, you see the rate upfront. No hidden markups. No confusing fine print. You know exactly how much your dollars are worth in euros before you confirm. That level of transparency can save you more than you think over a two-week trip.
Carrying too much cash is risky – you don’t want to walk around Rome or Barcelona with €1,000 in your pocket. BOSS Money offers a smarter option: send money to yourself. You can transfer euros into your own account abroad, or in some cases, even pick up cash at designated locations. It gives you the flexibility to access money when you need it, without the stress of keeping everything on hand.
Whether you’re sipping wine in France, exploring castles in Germany, or hopping between Spain and Portugal, BOSS Money has you covered. Its network spans over 50 countries, making it a reliable tool for multi-country trips.
Conclusion
So, should you exchange money before traveling to Europe? The best approach is a hybrid one: carry a little, rely on cards for most.
Bring enough euros to cover small needs when you arrive – say €100 to €300. After that, rely on a good travel card with no foreign transaction fees or a digital service like BOSS Money.
Make sure to avoid exchanging at airports, plan ahead with your U.S. bank if you want euros before you leave, and always say yes to being charged in euros when using your card.
Remember, travel is about memories, not math problems. By making a few smart money moves before you go, you’ll have more euros in your pocket for the things that matter most – like sipping espresso at a sidewalk café in Rome or picking up souvenirs at a Paris flea market.
Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of September 8, 2025
- https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/us/europe-currency/
- https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/cash-tips
- https://www.reddit.com/r/ItalyTravel/comments/1fa0mxi/need_to_get_euros_before_i_leave/
- https://www.goaheadtours.com/travel-blog/articles/currency-exchange-euros-to-dollars
- https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/ordering-foreign-currency-before-traveling/
- https://www.angelahanyak.com/notes-from-here/cash-in-europe-travel-money-tips
This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.
