Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
action. If your fees seem high, consider getting a different card just for your trip: Capital
One (
www.capitalone.com
) and most credit unions have low-to-no international fees.
• If you plan to withdraw cash from ATMs, confirm your daily
withdrawal limit,
and
if necessary, ask your bank to adjust it. Some travelers prefer a high limit that allows them
to take out more cash at each ATM stop (saving on bank fees), while others prefer to set
a lower limit in case their card is stolen. Note that foreign banks also set maximum with-
drawal amounts for their ATMs. Also, remember that you're withdrawing euros, not dol-
lars—so if your daily limit is $300, withdraw just €200. Many a frustrated traveler has
walked away from an ATM thinking their card was rejected, when actually they were ask-
ing for more cash in euros than their daily limit allowed.
Exchange Rates
I've priced things throughout this topic in the local currencies. The Republic of Ire-
land uses the euro currency. Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom,
has retained its traditional currency, the British pound sterling. Border towns in the
North might take euros, but at a lousy exchange rate. (To get the latest rates and
print a cheat sheet, see
www.oanda.com
)
.
1 euro (€1) = about $1.30
1 British pound (£1) = about $1.60
