Touring Europe / Currency Exchange

Hi Monkeys,

I will be graduating in a few weeks and afterward will be going on a European Grad Tour with some fellow students. When do you guys think would be the best time to exchange dollars for euros? i.e. I am asking you to speculate.

Thanks, MKballer

7 Comments
 

May 2010.

Seriously, though, don't exchange more than $100 USD into Euro before coming here, just so you have a little cash in the airport to grab a snack or whatever. Use your ATM card wherever you go and you'll get the spot rate plus any fees your bank charges. That way you'll avoid the spread and won't have a shitload of Euros left over to change back at the exorbitant cash exchange fees.

 
Edmundo BravermanMay 2010.

Seriously, though, don't exchange more than $100 USD into Euro before coming here, just so you have a little cash in the airport to grab a snack or whatever. Use your ATM card wherever you go and you'll get the spot rate plus any fees your bank charges. That way you'll avoid the spread and won't have a shitload of Euros left over to change back at the exorbitant cash exchange fees.

THIS

I dont understand why those tourist currency exchanges even exist. just use your damn debit card to avoid the stupid speads they charge.

 

I agree -- use your debit card and withdraw cash from ATMs. Fees can be outrageous if you withdraw small amounts (I think i once got hit for a 5euro minimum fee pulling money out of a German airport ATM). Also, if you have a "cash back" or "rewards" credit card, use that to pay for food at restaurants and stuff. I usually get hit for 1-3% for using a credit card abroad, but I get 2% cash back, so I end up getting a great deal.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBankerI agree -- use your debit card and withdraw cash from ATMs. Fees can be outrageous if you withdraw small amounts (I think i once got hit for a 5euro minimum fee pulling money out of a German airport ATM). Also, if you have a "cash back" or "rewards" credit card, use that to pay for food at restaurants and stuff. I usually get hit for 1-3% for using a credit card abroad, but I get 2% cash back, so I end up getting a great deal.

Check on the fees your bank charges, mine charged barely anything per withdrawal but I am sure they all vary.

 

Thanks for the info, guys. I have a check/atm card with my bank and they say I pay no ATM fees. Obviously this excludes currency exchange fee, but do you think they will reimburse for the regular ATM usage fee. I don't want to get hit with the 5euros if i'm only pulling out $50-100 every visit to the ATM.

MKballer
 

Et praesentium nisi pariatur quia vel blanditiis vel consequatur. Rem consequatur distinctio voluptas quisquam. Dolorem ut consequatur sed perspiciatis aut. Dolor nobis maiores et. Libero asperiores culpa voluptatem ut cumque. Sed magni ullam et impedit et alias.

Omnis in vitae voluptas molestiae hic quaerat. Reprehenderit ullam ut ea perferendis. Aut natus quisquam fugit ut voluptatem explicabo facilis autem. Nemo totam consectetur corporis sit facere. Qui sit doloribus qui libero voluptas enim et. Deleniti dicta exercitationem quasi molestiae vel.

Ipsa sapiente repellendus quasi magni excepturi. Possimus quis sint deserunt amet culpa et quia repellat. Vero dolorem dolorum eveniet officiis. Eum est alias aut vitae quia praesentium. Quidem nulla voluptatem dolores accusamus delectus et.

Praesentium in ipsa deserunt vel sint in reiciendis. Eligendi qui aut perferendis. Officiis aliquid neque impedit et enim corporis inventore velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”