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sheelottawa
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Would like to know what is in the currency packet and how much it costs. Traveling from London to Rome on May 23rd with a girlfriend.
Any problems using debit cards?
 
Posts: 5 | Location: 0ttawa | Registered: 02 May 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
jeaneeem
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Sheelottawa

I would not rely on the currency pack being available. Purchase small quantities of Pounds Sterling and Euros before you travel, just in case.

On my European Explorer tour last year, a couple of ladies arrived in London without any cash, expecting that the currency pack would be available. It wasn't, so they were extremely stressed about money until there was time to 'hit an ATM'.

Jeanie


And the sun is shining, This road keeps winding ...
I'm alive and I'm free:
Who wouldn't wanna be me? (Monty Powell/Keith Urban)
 
Posts: 131 | Location: Canberra, Australia | Registered: 10 February 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
margaretc
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I buy currency before I leave from the Post Office. No commission and it is ready to pick up the next day.
Smiler
 
Posts: 149 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 November 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Gennevive
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All tours that I have taken with Insight in the past four years, that have left from London have offered currency packs, generally picked up on the way to Dover.

I didn't buy any myself as I bought my pounds and euro's in Australia but I have a feeling they were around 50 to 100 pounds.

If you are travelling from Dover to Calais by ferry you can buy currency on board the ferry. They can also supply you with a few coins. You will need these on arrival in Europe, especially if you need to use a bathroom. Usually about 30 - 50 cents.

I have a Travelex card and my bank debit card, had no trouble using them at all in Europe. I also took traveller's cheques and although a lot of people bag these I had absolutely no problem with them.
 
Posts: 383 | Location: Oz | Registered: 19 August 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Chris Marriott
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quote:
Originally posted by Gennevive:
If you are travelling from Dover to Calais by ferry you can buy currency on board the ferry.


DON'T DO THIS!

The ferries use British currency as their "official" currency and hence, if you are converting, say, American dollars to Euros, you are, in essense, doing a "double conversion", from dollars to pounds, and then from pounds to Euros. The result is a truly awful exchange rate.

At your first stop in continental Europe there will be an ATM. If you need Euros, and you didn't bring any with you, that's the place to get some.
 
Posts: 1351 | Location: UK | Registered: 16 July 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Travel Junky
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Sheelottawa

I have never had any problems with Debit Cards in the UK or in Europe...I generally speak with my bank prior so they have an indication of the countries and approximate months i will be using them.....and they have provide me with a few banks names that offer lower conversion rates costs for currency conversions.....

I would also recommend that you have an initial starting amount of GBP and Euro.....you can also use Euro in London, but expect GBP as change.....

Happy Trails... We are doing the Road To Rome tour starting the 28th of July 2009

Travel Junky
 
Posts: 11 | Location: Mooroolbark,Australia | Registered: 15 May 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Chris Marriott
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you can also use Euro in London, but expect GBP as change.....


That is certainly not generally true. There are a few shops in London who accept Euro, but I'm afraid that they aren't "generally" spendable like they are in, say, Switzerland.
 
Posts: 1351 | Location: UK | Registered: 16 July 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
solittletime
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Don't forget to also call your credit card company before you leave and let them know what countries you'll be visiting/using your card in and the dates you will be leaving and arriving back in your home country.
 
Posts: 77 | Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada | Registered: 30 April 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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