Chihaya
Traveller
13 comments
Posted 15 years ago
I was wondering what is the best way to carry money around Europe?
I would be carrying cash, but not a lot on me.
And I have a Nationwide account (and its free to use around Europe?), so I was going to withdraw money when I need from ATMs.
Is that the best way?
CHeers
hedgehogs123
Traveller
113 comments
The Nationwide account is the best thing to have around Europe, always have a bit of cash on you though for emergency situations.
Travel Money Card's are generally the next best thing..
Ian
roryroryrory
Traveller
39 comments
Careful using the nationwide card for chip & pin.
Then you get charged something like 2% of the total purchase.
The charges can add up.
But apart from that the Nationwide card is good.
SiDUDe
Traveller
752 comments
really? I didnt know that, is it somewhere on the Nationwide site?
roryroryrory
Traveller
39 comments
Yeah just look at the terms and conditions.
It says that withdrawing money in most european countries is without a charge.
But paying with chip and pin incurres a charge of around 2 %, since June 1st 2009.
But a lot of places don''t let you pay with chip and pin anyway.
Sometimes a ATM machine will not let you use the card, especially in Southern and Eastern Europe (and even in Ireland), but if not go to another ATM.
It normally works at every other one.
Castaway
Traveller
23 comments
[b]Bank Accounts[/b]
If you don't live in a country from the Euro Zone and you plan on visiting euro countries, just open an account at an euro zone country and you withdraw/spend money at euro zone countries free of aditional charges (either credit card or debit card).
If you live in a country from the euro zone, own a bank account and plan on visiting non-Euro countries only use your debit card (you get charged 2-3% of a purchase which is basically nothing), because you pay more aditional charges using a credit card. Use only your debit card to buy stuff and don't withdraw money (huge aditional charges).