On my last trip to Europe, I didn’t bring my usual $200 cash reserve. With just a few bucks in my wallet, I landed in Madrid, relying entirely on two ATM cards and no cash safety net. It turned out OK. At the airport, I withdrew some euros from an ATM machine, and tucked the bills into my money belt. After decades of traveling to Europe, I have found that the cheapest, safest way to go is to pay with cash for most items, and withdraw money as I zip from one place to the next. The reason? To cut down on fees and fraud.
I realize fees aren’t an exciting topic…at least not until you get your bank statement after your trip. Over the last few years, banks have dramatically increased the fees they charge for overseas transactions involving credit and debit cards. While these fees are legal—and some are even understandable—many are contrived simply to wring a few more dollars out of tourists. But by traveling smart and doing a little research up front, you can cut back on these extra expenses.
There are no comments.