Taking money abroad

[weegiemum]

We’re going on holiday to Portugal in a couple of weeks (joys of all children having left school!!).

We haven’t been to the eurozone since 2018 and aren’t sure of the best way of taking money these days - are we best getting euros from Tesco or somewhere before we go, or just using our debit cards in an ATM while we’re there, or getting a Revolut card or similar and using that?

Any input much appreciated!!

I would definitely get a Revolut card or similar (I have Wise which I find really good).

I'd also pick up some cash in Tesco. If you need any more, get it out of tbe ATM.

The other thing to do is to get a credit card that has no fees abroad. I have one from
Virgin Money. I pay off the balance in full every month. It has been fine.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

Go here and select rhe 'travel abroad' option:

gateway.comparethemarket.com/journey/creditcards/questions/card-type?AFFCLIE=CM01&wip=68c37856916279adf1f5cc49#_

Credit card is really convenient but take cash too. I came a cropper recently when after tapping forever I got prompted for my pin and couldn't remember it - then my banking app crashed (thanks Halifax you wankers) so I was glad I had some paper euros.

But mostly if you get a multi currency credit card you can just tap to pay in Euros the same as you would to pay in sterling in the UK. There are a number of them that use the MasterCard rate of the day with no fees or commission. Very likely your own bank has a version. Pay it all off at the next statement though as the interest rate can be high.

M&s has good rates for paper money especially if you have a sparks card.

We have a Barclaycard rewards card. It means we can get money from the ATM at no extra charge. Same with buying things. Most places now take card and you only need a little bit of cash.

We normally just go to a cash machine when we arrive, the rates are normally better then getting cash in the UK but you need a fee free card.

We have 3 cards between us, so if there is an issue like we had in Prague where the machine ate DH's card, we still have options.

I usually take £100 with me (after one time faffing to find a cash machine at the airport before I could get a taxi) in local currency, then take my Halifax clarity credit card and chase debit card. I spend as much as I can on card and keep the c £100 topped up with cash withdrawals over the course of the holiday.

Avoid using standard debit/credit cards abroad unless you’ve checked the fees.

Thanks everyone. Our debit cards are free to use abroad so I think that’s what we’ll do, but we will also get some folding money for a taxi when we arrive I think.

So excited, I’m really looking forward to a week of warmth as well as a few glasses of the local wine!