Armed with this information, you’ll know whether a rate you see is a good deal, or whether you should look elsewhere to exchange your currency. One reliable online exchange rate calculator is X-Rates. Go to http://x-rates. com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=USD&amount=1 to convert euros to dollars.

Currency exchange boards have two columns, the buy column and the sell column. If you’re in Europe and want to buy some U. S. currency before you leave, look at the rate in the sell column for U. S. dollars. That is the rate at which the bank will sell you U. S. dollars. Once you’re in the U. S. , look at the rate in the buy column for euros. Now the U. S. bank or exchange is purchasing euros from you and giving you dollars. The difference between the buy rate and the sell rate for any given currency is the amount of money the bank or exchange is making on the transaction. You want this amount to be as low as possible.

As long as you have a major credit or debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, you should be fine when you land. Even if you have to take a taxi from the airport, most cab drivers accept credit and debit cards, or will drive you to an ATM on the way.

Read the exchange boards carefully and compare them to what you know about the interbank exchange rate from checking the online calculator. Also look at the differences between the buy and sell rates. Generally, avoid using an exchange if the difference between those two rates is more than . 10.

ATMs in out-of-the-way places can be easily compromised by identity thieves. Additionally, ATMs operated by third-party vendors typically charge hefty fees that may not be reimbursed by your bank.

In the U. S. , Bank of America is a member of the Global ATM Network. If your bank in your home country is also a member of the network, use Bank of America ATMs while in the U. S. to eliminate withdrawal fees. European banks in the Global ATM network include Barclays, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank.

Credit cards typically get better exchange rates than other financial services companies. Use your credit card for large purchases, such as paying for your hotel. You’ll also enjoy greater security when you use a credit card. If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can cancel it immediately without liability for any fraudulent charges.

This process is known as dynamic currency conversion, and may result in a premium as high as 10 percent being added to your purchase. It can also trigger fees and penalties from your own credit card company.

Generally, you want to have at least $200 in cash on hand for tips and small daily transactions. If you’re staying in the U. S. longer than a week or two, you may need more than that. If you take all the cash you’re going to need out at once, don’t carry it all with you. Use your hotel’s safe to store the cash you won’t need for that day.