Type of money to bring to Germany.?

Question

I am going to Germany in February and I need to know what I should bring to use for money. I was going to bring credit cards but i am reading that they have a bad exchange rate. I was going to take traveler checks, but I can't find to much information on them, and if cash is the best way to go, then should I exchange it here in the U.S. or when we get there to Germany? IM SO CONFUSED! Help!

Answer 1

Well Bro, I live in Germany, and I'm from the US, so believe me, I feel your pain! If you have cash, use Euro, but if you cant exchange it there, there is places all over Germany, especially Frankfurt Airport.

Since there are many US military bases, the dollar is accepted around the small towns where bases are located. But ofcourse, business owners will make up their own exchange rate. Taxi drivers in the Frankfurt area will sometimes deal with you and take you with dollars, you just gotta hustle them a bit. The usual exchange rate is about $1.30 to 1 Euro.

And if you are bringing plastic, VISA is a good way to go. If you have a debit card, make sure its backed by a major credit card, like a bank of america debit card backed by VISA.

I've never used travelers checks, so I couldn't tell you about them.

Also, many stores in Germany, offer a tax exemption is you do not live there, so you can get some cash back. And when you buy something dont expect additional taxes, they are already included in the price!

And another piece of advice, if you plan on bar hopping and partying, make sure to have more than 100 Euro on you, because drinks tend to be expensive at bars. So make sure to pregame at the hotel, walk down to the closest gas station and buy some liquor there.

Answer 2

Depending on your credit card there really should not be a bad exchange rate at all, it should be the exchange rate of the day. However, credit cards usually charge a percentage of the price for transactions made outside of the home country of the credit card - this can be 1% or 1.5% most commonly, but could be more, call your credit card company to find out about the percentage and also to confirm that they use the exchange rate of the day.

I find it convenient to use credit cards when traveling in Europe, although smaller items, like movie tickets can generally not be purchased with a credit card, but for all big items, or hotel stays it's great.

Traveler's checks are a possibility, but I find them a little bit of a hassle. - You still need to exchange them for cash.
The only value is the added security as opposed to carrying cash around. I haven't used them for travel in years since there are so many better options.

With any ATM/debit card you should be able to draw money from your account in the US, if the machine has a Cirrus symbol. The exchange rate will be the one of the day, and there is usually a small fee per transaction - maybe 2.50 Euros from the machine itself (it will say so) and all machines "speak" English (some American banks will charge a Dollar or so on top of that for using the card at a nonparticipating machine as well) Because of the fees it's best to withdraw a larger amount at a time, not just 20$ here and there. There are ATM's everywhere, including on the airport when you arrive, so you really don't need to exchange any money before you go.

All airports also have banks and exchange booths, depending on the time of arrival they should be open during the day, they all charge a small commission for the exchange, but it is definitely cheaper than the commission in the hotel. All large hotels exchange money as well.

Like I said, credit card and ATM card should be sufficient, plus you can exchange some money at the airport, unless you arrive at a small one in the middle of the night. So no reason to be confused! You'll be fine and have a lot of fun!

Answer 3

Cash is definatly the way to go here. I was in Germany over the summer and was unpleasantly surprised of the limited number of places that even except credit cards. The thing is they only take the EuroCard, not any credit card companies Americans would have. Travelers checks are safer, but it is very difficult to find a place to cash them unless you have an international bank account of some sort. Banks will not cash them unless you have an account with them. I am not sure about hotels. You can exchange your cash at the US airport where you are departing from, or the airport in which you arrive it doesn't matter. Just remember on your return, they don't exchange change! Just a little heads up from someone who came home with ALOT of unchangable Euro change...hope this helps!

ps. if you dont want to carry alot of cash while traveling, have it in a checking account and take it out at any international ATM (or Geld Automat) once you get there. It will charge you a few dollars to your account, but maybe that is worth not traveling with a large sum of loose cash.

Answer 4

If you take cash, take Euros. Most places WILL accept credit cards but you should have a little cash for when you arrive , and most airports have ATM machines, so you can use your ATM card. Check with your own bank before you go and see if your debit card will also work in Europe and what banks will accept your ATM card. It's not a big deal, people in europe are just as friendly as here in the USA and you'll find they are very helpful if you just ask. have a great time

Answer 5

take most of it in cash....credit card is a good idea to have some stores do not take visa or MasterCard...most of them do.(always good to ask before).
if there id a military installation around there where you go there is a good chance that some restaurants take $$$(always ask before)...but their exchange rate is just a lil more,because(here comes where you should change your money.....)they have to change it and the German bank charge a fee to change money ....so change your money in the us.
normally credit /debit cards9visa )have a true exchange rate(ask your credit card co)because if they take 2 weeks to charge the money on your card and in that time the exchange rate dramatically drop/raises then it might not be accurate.

My advice bring most of it in euro(change in the us) and bring your credit cards only for emergency's or when you run out of cash.
Have fun in GERMANY!!!

Answer 6

It's probably best to carry both travelers checks and ATM cards as well as a credit card or two.

"Credit / Debit Cards and ATM's
These are accepted in approximately 60 per cent of all shops, petrol stations, restaurants and hotels. Nationals of other Western European countries, Canada and the USA will find less credit card availability than they are used to in their own countries and it is advisable to carry cash or a Eurocheque card as well. All major credit cards are accepted.
Travellers Cheque Advice
Generally provide the best rate of exchange. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Visitors are advised to have their traveller's cheques exchanged at bureaux de change as banks often refuse to change them and they are not accepted as payment in general stores."

Answer 7

You have to bring € (Euro) to Germany.
The todays exchange rate is about 1€ = 1.26US$ in Germany.

Major credit cards (Mastercard, Visa) and the debit card "Maestro" are accepted in the most shops.

Answer 8

Carry Euros and a Visa Card. Traveller Cheques are passe'.

Answer 9

Euro
Changing the dollars in your own bank before leaving can give you better rates. You may always negotiate with your bank to get the best rate. Or if you are going via Singapore, you may negotiate and get the best rate from independant money changers who work on very very low margins.

Answer 10

bring euros the exchange rate is bad everywhere