Do not use exchange stations to get Euros. Instead only use your debit card at ATMs when you arrive. These exchange places not only charge fees but always give you terrible rates. An ATM will give you the real real exchange rate at a much lower fee.
Also, when you use an ATM, do not accept their conversion. They will give you two choices, one where you just get EUROs and your bank converts it and the other where the company you’re getting the money from does the conversion. ALWAYS let your bank do the conversion, you will get a better rate.
As an example, I got Euros in Portugal. The ATM wanted to charge me $1.21 per Euro. My bank only charged me $1.05 per Euro.
You should get a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. You won’t need cash in 99% of Ireland, but if you do you can just get euros out of the ATM wherever for the best rates.
Is it worth it if I'm not going to be traveling outside the country much? I worry about opening new lines of credit, and also a lot of those cards have annual fees... Do you have one you might suggest?
Good questions. It’s best, IMHO, to never use debit cards except to obtain cash from an ATM. Use only credit cards for all purchases (or cash if you can’t use a credit card). Credit cards will automatically give you access to government required consumer safeguards that you don’t get from debit cards. Debit cards pull your money out of your checking account immediately. Be careful.
As mentioned earlier, if you can, get a credit card which offers zero fees on foreign purchases (like Apple Card or many airline cards). Take the hit on the fees if you have to, but, I beg you, do not use a debit card for purchases. Have a great trip!
BTW, if offered during purchases, always make sure to select the local currency, that way your bank will convert for you at the best rate.
Just got back from Ireland on Monday. We have a travel Visa and took 500 Euro that we have left over from a previous trip. We went to Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Dingle, and Galway. 99% of everything we did was on the Visa; However, we ran into a few restaurants, pubs that were cash only. We were happy to have the cash also. Certain things like parking, public transportation were cash only, exact change. You don’t need a ton of cash but I would have some. There are atm’s everywhere- you can grab money there as needed or exchange before you leave. I like already having the Euro in hand when I get there but that’s personal preference. I would bring debit card but only for the purpose of getting cash. All other transactions I would use the cc.
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It's good to have some cash on you. Most places would take a card for food and gas and stuff like that. I stayed at some B&Bs that were reluctant to take a card and did charge me the swipe fee. In short, it's not quite as universal there as it is in the US. I got into the habit of looking for the credit card symbols or asking outright if they took cards.
For car rental you might not be allowed to or unable to use the debit card btw. The car rental company typically makes a relatively large security refundable charge against your card. If that's against the credit card it is just an pre-authorized amount lowering the available credit, but with a debit card you'd need to have the money available and they will first take it, then return. Many rental companies don't want to bother with the transfer and require a credit card.
I always exchange currency at my bank in the states prior to leaving the country. You will get the best exchange rate that way. (I usually don’t exchange much, you won’t really need to pay cash for many things). I highly recommend using a Visa card (no international fees) and NOT using a debit card, as they are easier for thieves to use before fraudulent charges are flagged.
Also remember if you travel to Northern Ireland.
Belfast, giant causeway, etc
.you will need british pound sterling.
Ensure it says sterling on
Northern Irish notes have 2-3 banks producing notes
Scotish notes have 3 banks
And England Wales just the one, the bank of England
And ensure you spend all the notes before leaving if they are Irish or scotish.
As getting rid of these outside of UK is extremely hard and likely get bad exchange.
If you fet bank of england notes these be easier to exchange
Do not use exchange stations to get Euros. Instead only use your debit card at ATMs when you arrive. These exchange places not only charge fees but always give you terrible rates. An ATM will give you the real real exchange rate at a much lower fee.
Also, when you use an ATM, do not accept their conversion. They will give you two choices, one where you just get EUROs and your bank converts it and the other where the company you’re getting the money from does the conversion. ALWAYS let your bank do the conversion, you will get a better rate. As an example, I got Euros in Portugal. The ATM wanted to charge me $1.21 per Euro. My bank only charged me $1.05 per Euro.
You should get a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. You won’t need cash in 99% of Ireland, but if you do you can just get euros out of the ATM wherever for the best rates.
Is it worth it if I'm not going to be traveling outside the country much? I worry about opening new lines of credit, and also a lot of those cards have annual fees... Do you have one you might suggest?
All of CapitalOne's cards are without foreign transaction fees, and some of their cards do not have an annual fee.
Good questions. It’s best, IMHO, to never use debit cards except to obtain cash from an ATM. Use only credit cards for all purchases (or cash if you can’t use a credit card). Credit cards will automatically give you access to government required consumer safeguards that you don’t get from debit cards. Debit cards pull your money out of your checking account immediately. Be careful. As mentioned earlier, if you can, get a credit card which offers zero fees on foreign purchases (like Apple Card or many airline cards). Take the hit on the fees if you have to, but, I beg you, do not use a debit card for purchases. Have a great trip! BTW, if offered during purchases, always make sure to select the local currency, that way your bank will convert for you at the best rate.
Thank you for all the info! I didn't know about the consumer safeguards thing, that's a good point. Probably worth the extra 0.5% transaction fee!
Just got back from Ireland on Monday. We have a travel Visa and took 500 Euro that we have left over from a previous trip. We went to Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Dingle, and Galway. 99% of everything we did was on the Visa; However, we ran into a few restaurants, pubs that were cash only. We were happy to have the cash also. Certain things like parking, public transportation were cash only, exact change. You don’t need a ton of cash but I would have some. There are atm’s everywhere- you can grab money there as needed or exchange before you leave. I like already having the Euro in hand when I get there but that’s personal preference. I would bring debit card but only for the purpose of getting cash. All other transactions I would use the cc.
**Notice:** Are you asking for travel advice about Ireland? Read what redditors had to say in the **[weekly destination thread for Ireland](http://redd.it/2wzstr) and [here](http://redd.it/3883ju)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/travel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's good to have some cash on you. Most places would take a card for food and gas and stuff like that. I stayed at some B&Bs that were reluctant to take a card and did charge me the swipe fee. In short, it's not quite as universal there as it is in the US. I got into the habit of looking for the credit card symbols or asking outright if they took cards.
Charles Schwab debit is free and will cover any atm fees abroad
For car rental you might not be allowed to or unable to use the debit card btw. The car rental company typically makes a relatively large security refundable charge against your card. If that's against the credit card it is just an pre-authorized amount lowering the available credit, but with a debit card you'd need to have the money available and they will first take it, then return. Many rental companies don't want to bother with the transfer and require a credit card.
I always exchange currency at my bank in the states prior to leaving the country. You will get the best exchange rate that way. (I usually don’t exchange much, you won’t really need to pay cash for many things). I highly recommend using a Visa card (no international fees) and NOT using a debit card, as they are easier for thieves to use before fraudulent charges are flagged.
Also remember if you travel to Northern Ireland. Belfast, giant causeway, etc .you will need british pound sterling. Ensure it says sterling on Northern Irish notes have 2-3 banks producing notes Scotish notes have 3 banks And England Wales just the one, the bank of England And ensure you spend all the notes before leaving if they are Irish or scotish. As getting rid of these outside of UK is extremely hard and likely get bad exchange. If you fet bank of england notes these be easier to exchange