Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BANKING & MONEY TIPS
1. THE EURO
SinceJanuary2002,theofficialcurrencyofSpain,andmuchofEurope,hasbeenthe
Euro. For general information on the Euro check the European Union website.
ht-
2. BANKS
Banks are generally open 8am-2pm on weekdays. Some are open 4-8pm on
Thursdays and 8am-2pm on Saturdays, except from July to September. Banks tend
toofferbetterexchangeandcommissionratesthanbureauxdechange,althoughrates
do vary from bank to bank. There's a La Caixa exchange in Plaça de Catalunya, next
to the tourist office, which stays open until 9pm. Numerous small bank branches ex-
changemoneyinEstaciódeSantstrainstationandtheairport;theseareopenfrom7
or 8am to 10pm daily.
3. CHANGING MONEY
Avoidchangingmoneyatbureauxdechangeintouristareasascommissionratestend
tobehighorexchangeratespoor.Onthewhole,banksofferbetterdeals,butbureaux
dechangehavetheadvantageoflongeropeninghours.Some,particularlythoseonLa
Rambla, are open until midnight.
4. ATMS
ATMs (cash machines) provide the easiest way to access money and are a good way
tobeatcommissioncharges.Surchargesdependonyourbank.RelyingonATMsalso
meansthatyoucantakeoutmoneyinsmallerdenominationsandavoidcarryinglarge
amountsofcash.Beforetravelling,checkwithyourbankthatyourPINnumberworks
with foreign ATMs. All take VISA or MasterCard (Access) cards.
5. TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES
Buy travellers' cheques in Euros. All banks cash travellers' cheques, as do larger
stores. Always carry the cheque numbers separately from the cheques. American Ex-
pressandThomasCookaretwowell-knownprovidersoftravellers'cheques.Thomas
Cook has also introduced “cash passport cards”, which can be used at ATMs.
