If you are traveling to the United States from Europe you will need to change your British Pound Sterling or Euros into US Dollars. Exchanging money world wide is much more convenient than making purchasing in the United States in comparison to traveler’s checks which are slowly becoming obsolete and accepted by fewer and fewer retailers. Here are some tips for anyone traveling from Europe to the United States:
- Watch The Currency Exchange Markets
For a few weeks before you plan to leave on your trip to the United States, keep an eye on the currency exchange markets to see how they fluctuate. The money transfer rate between the British Pound Sterling or Euro and the US Dollar is constantly moving and while you may see one rate several weeks before you leave, a completely different rate could be valid the week before you leave.
- Find Out The Real Exchange Rate
Many banks, exchange shops etc., have their own world wide exchange rates which is often lower than the real exchange rate. When searching for the exchange rate use an independent service to discover what the real British Pound Sterling or Euro rate is against the US Dollar. This will help you understand if you are getting value when changing your currency.
- Exchange Before You Leave
It is highly recommended to change your money before you leave. The last thing you want is to become stranded somewhere without any currency or forced to exchange money at extremely poor rates. Always have some local currency on your person before you leave so you can pay for the essentials.
- Plan Ahead
Before you leave, perform some research into where you are going and estimate a cost of living for the time you will be away. Research the hotel, local restaurants, activities you plan to do etc., before you leave so you can get a good estimate of how much money to bring with you. It is advisable to add a little extra to your estimate for emergencies.
