How much cash should I bring for 2 weeks in Europe?
A good rule of thumb is to carry $50-$100 a day in the local currency while travelling. Remember, though, that cash may not be the best option to pay for travel expenses. Credit cards offer great rewards, lower transaction fees, and can help you get a better exchange rate.
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.
It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.
How Much Spending Money for One Week in Europe? This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.
Should You Use Cash or Credit When Traveling to Europe? Most international travelers will end up using a combination of cash and cards when visiting Europe. While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors.
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.
In Eastern Europe it can last 2 weeks. In Western and Southern Europe it might last 10 days. For Europe the rule of thumb is 50 euros/day so you will need at least 950 euros. How much money should you bring with you if you're traveling abroad for at least two weeks?
As a general rule though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation. This is just spending money, as hotel costs are likely to have been either paid in advance or settled by card when you check out.
In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. When buying in advance, get just enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day's worth of emergency expenses.
British tourists entering Spain can technically be asked to prove that they have at least €100 a day for the duration of their stay. Border officials accept several forms of proof including foreign currency, traveller's cheques, cash, payment letters or credit card allowances.
Should I exchange money before I travel?
Before your trip, it's best to do a currency exchange at your bank or credit union, which likely offers better rates and fewer and/or lower fees. Your bank or credit union may buy back leftover foreign currency in exchange for dollars when you return.
Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you're pleased with the service) add a euro or two for each person in your party. In very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-sized tip.
Depends where you are and where you are staying, but 400 euros for a week is more than enough. Unless you stay in a five-star hotel and eat every meal at a restaurant, 400 euros should be enough to buy food, accomodation and utilities for a week.
Most European countries use the Global System for Mobiles or GSM network, as do a whole heap of other countries around the world. This is one of the main reasons why, as long as your phone is operating on the same network, you shouldn't come across any usage issues when traveling.
For credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, while American Express and Discover are less common. US debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo will work in any European ATM. Go "contactless." Get comfortable using contactless pay options.
Cash & ATMs
ATMs are the best way to access money abroad and are increasingly available. Your bank or credit card company may charge fees for withdrawals overseas and may have a limit on the amount you can withdraw daily, so be sure to consult with your bank about this.
Banks, credit unions, online bureaus, and currency converters provide convenient and often inexpensive currency exchange services. Once on foreign soil, the best means to convert currency is to use a foreign automated teller machine (ATM) or identify whether your bank has ATMs or banking affiliates nearby.
For a 7-11 day Europe trip, I bring $200-$300 Euros in cash. I find it less stressful to order Euros from my bank a few weeks before my trip, so I have local cash upon arrival. The exchange rate is usually better this way. While you can exchange money at the airport, I recommend this alternative.
What is the cheapest way to get euros in the US? The cheapest way to buy euros in the US is usually online. You'll have a couple of options, depending on what suits your needs: Choose a specialist provider which has multi-currency accounts to support international spending - like Wise or Revolut.
Start off with 200 or 300 Euros and then take some out as you need it from a Bancomat (bank owned ATM) and not from a money exchanger such as TravelEX. Use your credit card as much as possible for larger purchases and keep your cash (large denominations) and passport in your money belt or pouch.
How much cash should I have on hand for international travel?
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.
You can file this form in advance online or while traveling by asking a CBP officer for a paper copy. Many other countries have similar reporting requirements. For example, the European Union requires you to make a cash declaration if you're carrying 10,000 euros or more, or its cash equivalent.
| USD | EUR |
|---|---|
| 50 USD | 46.35 EUR |
| 100 USD | 92.71 EUR |
| 500 USD | 463.57 EUR |
| 1,000 USD | 927.15 EUR |
The US dollar is not the medium of exchange. Most likely, the individual would have to locate a reliable cash exchange source, which might not always be easily available. If you want to provide a tip, be kind and respectful. When at your European designation, withdraw cash using your ATM card and offer tips in euros.
Where to Get Good Rates: ATMs and Local Banks. The best place to exchange money is a local ATM or a bank. Many foreign banks are happy to exchange your dollars for local currency for a better rate than you find elsewhere, or you can go to an ATM to skip the line.
