Don't you get hit with fees?
Lets say I want to take out 200 Euros from an ATM in Amsterdam? I am from the States. What like a 3 or 4 euro surcharge? Then what is the rate usually?
Anyone in the Dam currently and could tell us? =)
Couple Questions About Trip
It probably varies from back to bank. None of the ATMs I've used in Europe charge a fee, it's only your bank that charges.
For me I get charged 2% of each transaction for currency conversion, and then at the end of the month I'm charged for all the times I used ATMs that didn't belong to my bank. I think it's like $1.50 each transaction...
So not too expensive, but not exactly cheap either. I still say ATM is the best way to go while abroad.
For me I get charged 2% of each transaction for currency conversion, and then at the end of the month I'm charged for all the times I used ATMs that didn't belong to my bank. I think it's like $1.50 each transaction...
So not too expensive, but not exactly cheap either. I still say ATM is the best way to go while abroad.
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courtjester
- Posts: 682
- Joined: Sun 21st May 2006 02:39 am
- Location: Smokelahoma
What VP said.
My parents, who travel extensively, told me before I went that many of their traveling partners (they tour in groups) found that withdrawing money from ATMs was actually more cost-effective than exchanging real, hard cash. Stupid as it sounds, you get a better exchange rate, and fewer fees. So I did it, and of course, Mom and Dad knew best. Again. In fact, my anti-ATM-card father has vowed to get one before their next trip abroad, just for the exchange-rate savings.
It isn't much, but it adds up.
Now, in the young man's case, let me say I think you're doing the right thing by deceiving your parents and spending two or three extra simoleons on an unauthorized trip to the 'Dam. If I had the same chance as a young man, I would have done it too -- lots. Sorry, Mom and Dad.
Yes, there definitely are places to exchange cash at Schiphol. Unless you're really hard up, DO NOT USE the GWK exchange venues (they're the ones with the pretty red-white-and-blue trim around their glassed-in shacks), unless you really enjoy rumprape. All banks are licensed-thief scumbags, but GWK is special in that regard.
No, don't exchange before you travel. Just travel as scheduled, then exchange a few pounds into euros at Schiphol. Take the train to Centraal Station, go smoke a couple, then find Pott's Exchange on Damrak (it's at Damrak 95, extremely close to Dam Square), and exchange the rest of your cash there. They consistently had the best rates.
That's just the way I'd do it.
My parents, who travel extensively, told me before I went that many of their traveling partners (they tour in groups) found that withdrawing money from ATMs was actually more cost-effective than exchanging real, hard cash. Stupid as it sounds, you get a better exchange rate, and fewer fees. So I did it, and of course, Mom and Dad knew best. Again. In fact, my anti-ATM-card father has vowed to get one before their next trip abroad, just for the exchange-rate savings.
It isn't much, but it adds up.
Now, in the young man's case, let me say I think you're doing the right thing by deceiving your parents and spending two or three extra simoleons on an unauthorized trip to the 'Dam. If I had the same chance as a young man, I would have done it too -- lots. Sorry, Mom and Dad.
Yes, there definitely are places to exchange cash at Schiphol. Unless you're really hard up, DO NOT USE the GWK exchange venues (they're the ones with the pretty red-white-and-blue trim around their glassed-in shacks), unless you really enjoy rumprape. All banks are licensed-thief scumbags, but GWK is special in that regard.
No, don't exchange before you travel. Just travel as scheduled, then exchange a few pounds into euros at Schiphol. Take the train to Centraal Station, go smoke a couple, then find Pott's Exchange on Damrak (it's at Damrak 95, extremely close to Dam Square), and exchange the rest of your cash there. They consistently had the best rates.
That's just the way I'd do it.
From what I gather from this page (I wanted to post the link here, but it was so long it broke the tables - its the "Money Services" page at www.schiphol.nl ), the only exchange service they're advertising at Schiphol is GWK. I guess I'll try to find an alternative at the airport, but if not I'll just go with GWK just for the train ticket. Thanks for the advice on Pott's. I'll be heading there as soon as my train gets in - exactly what I was hoping to have recommended. I may still look around for someplace here just to avoid having to use GWK at the airport, but I'll exchange most of it at Pott's it looks like. Thanks!courtjester wrote: Yes, there definitely are places to exchange cash at Schiphol. Unless you're really hard up, DO NOT USE the GWK exchange venues (they're the ones with the pretty red-white-and-blue trim around their glassed-in shacks), unless you really enjoy rumprape. All banks are licensed-thief scumbags, but GWK is special in that regard.
No, don't exchange before you travel. Just travel as scheduled, then exchange a few pounds into euros at Schiphol. Take the train to Centraal Station, go smoke a couple, then find Pott's Exchange on Damrak (it's at Damrak 95, extremely close to Dam Square), and exchange the rest of your cash there. They consistently had the best rates.
That's just the way I'd do it.
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Kaiser Saucy
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Tue 14th Nov 2006 01:31 am
- Location: Britain
