Euro conversion in Munich
Jul 24, 2006 | 8:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
Euro conversion in Munich
I have a urgent question. I am an international student in the US now and will leave for Munich in a couple of days. I found that there are only a few places around my place to exchange dollars to Euro and those banks will charge me $10 because I don't have an account with those banks.
I am thinking of buying Euros at the Munich airport or the LAX (los angeles) airport. I guess that the airport conversion rates much be bad, but $10 charge for non-membership might be a worse option. So, please advise me on this.
Nervous...
Thank you so much.
I am thinking of buying Euros at the Munich airport or the LAX (los angeles) airport. I guess that the airport conversion rates much be bad, but $10 charge for non-membership might be a worse option. So, please advise me on this.
Nervous...
Thank you so much.
Jul 24, 2006 | 10:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,556
Why?
I never get these posts. You have an ATM card at some bank in the USA, yes? Then use your ATM card at the Munich airport and get Euros out.
Everyone acts panicky about getting foreign currency before you get there, but it is no big deal. We try to save some Euros between each trip, so we do not have to do it the instant we arrive (although it is generally easy to find the airport ATM), but we only ever have 40 or so Euros when we get there.
Just take your ATM card and you will be fine.
BillJ
I never get these posts. You have an ATM card at some bank in the USA, yes? Then use your ATM card at the Munich airport and get Euros out.
Everyone acts panicky about getting foreign currency before you get there, but it is no big deal. We try to save some Euros between each trip, so we do not have to do it the instant we arrive (although it is generally easy to find the airport ATM), but we only ever have 40 or so Euros when we get there.
Just take your ATM card and you will be fine.
BillJ
Jul 25, 2006 | 12:42 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Karlsruhe / Germany
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Posts: 327
ATMs are the way to go. Almost every bank office has got at least one.
Keep in mind that German ATMs use a 4-digit PIN only. Talk to your bank if yours uses a longer one - it won't work.
Keep in mind that German ATMs use a 4-digit PIN only. Talk to your bank if yours uses a longer one - it won't work.
Jul 25, 2006 | 9:59 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Karlsruhe / Germany
Programs: BahnCard Comfort, Bahn Bonus, Enrich Blue
Posts: 327
Originally Posted by etch5895
Munich airport has a number of ATMs (or Kassenautomats).
Jul 25, 2006 | 10:20 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
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Posts: 8,713
Originally Posted by Kathrin
Attention. ATMs are called "Geldautomat". A "Kassenautomat" is a machine where you pay, for example, before taking your car out of a parking garage.
Jul 31, 2006 | 8:18 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 238
All good advice about using the ATMs.
But things go wrong -- computers crash, wallets stolen, whatever -- so I always try to arrive anywhere with about the equivalent of US$50 in local currency.
And I always keep back about the same amount if I have any expectation of going back to that country.
Right now, I have pounds sterling, euros and Australian dollars in my desk. I often trade these "starter packs" with friends, and was even able to acquire Hungarian forints this way last year.
Try asking around on your campus. You might well find someone willing to sell a small quantiy of Euros, especially if you promise to bring some back to sell them.
But things go wrong -- computers crash, wallets stolen, whatever -- so I always try to arrive anywhere with about the equivalent of US$50 in local currency.
And I always keep back about the same amount if I have any expectation of going back to that country.
Right now, I have pounds sterling, euros and Australian dollars in my desk. I often trade these "starter packs" with friends, and was even able to acquire Hungarian forints this way last year.
Try asking around on your campus. You might well find someone willing to sell a small quantiy of Euros, especially if you promise to bring some back to sell them.
Aug 1, 2006 | 10:15 am
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2000
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Posts: 18,669
I'm not sure where the OP lives, but if he/she would feel more comfortable going over with a little bit of Euro currency in hand, one can often find a walk-up currency exchange in your area (or you can order "convenience packs online).
Exchanges are not only in center city areas. I was surprised to find one in the Sawgrass Mills shopping center (although given the large number of vacationers down here, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised).
Exchanges are not only in center city areas. I was surprised to find one in the Sawgrass Mills shopping center (although given the large number of vacationers down here, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised).