How Much Ca$h Do I Bring To Europe? (2024)

FAQs

How much cash should I take with me to Europe? ›

How much cash should I take for Europe? It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. Some European cities are cheaper than others. As a general rule though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.

Here is an overview of what two weeks in Europe on a high budget may look like: Accommodation: 200 Euros per night for 14 nights = 2,800 Euros. Food: 80 Euros per day for 14 days = 1,120 Euros. Transportation: 30 Euros per day for 14 days = 420 Euros.

How Much Spending Money Do I Need Per Day? Virtually impossible to predict, we'd advise a figure roughly around €140 a day for spending money in Western Europe and about €60–140 a day for Eastern Europe.

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.

Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

There's a lot that you can buy with a credit card in Europe, so bring at least one. But don't expect to get very far without a little cash, too—especially if you're a tourist. Transportation services, such as taxis and buses, often require local currency.

Both. “You generally want cash on you, always, in case of an emergency,” Granite said. Cash is also useful for gratuities and small purchases. For larger transactions, he recommends credit, provided there are no foreign transaction fees.

While it's possible to travel on $100 per day in Europe, it can be challenging, especially in larger cities or during peak seasons.

In Europe, tipping is seen as a reward for exceptional service rather than a compulsory practice. Even if your bill includes a service charge, you can still add a tip if you're truly impressed. For country-specific tipping guidelines, consult local travel resources.

What happens when you declare cash at customs? ›

The form requires you to answer some questions and identify yourself and the currency in question. It also asks if you're a professional money transporter carrying the money for someone else. Money reported via FinCEN Form 105 is reported to the IRS to help cut down on money laundering.

Cheap meals (think a fast food combo meal or takeout from a Chinese restaurant) cost 9–12 EUR, while restaurant meals at casual, traditional eateries cost around 15–25 EUR. Nicer establishments cost 30 EUR and up.

A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling. As with all things, research is your friend here. Understand where you're travelling and what the local customs regarding cash are.

Local banks and credit unions usually offer the best rates. Major banks, such as Chase or Bank of America, often offer the added benefit of having ATMs overseas. Online peer-to-peer foreign currency exchanges.

It is cheaper to exchange money at the bank (or by using an ATM) than the airport. That's because currency exchange stores and kiosks at the airports mark up the exchange rate to make a profit.

If you are going all cash or even part cash then creating a budget is key. As a rough estimation, budget $50-100 per person for each day that you will be away. This should cover your accommodation, food, drink and transportation costs.

While there are some situations where it may make sense to use DCCs, it's usually better to pay in the local currency – especially if you use a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.