How to Purchase Foreign Currency in the United States

Are you getting ready to plan a trip to Europe or plan your next trip to another foreign country? If so, you will need some local currency when you arrive. You may be able to pay for most foreign purchases with a credit card, but some foreign currency is essential. What if you need to tip the person carrying your bags or buy a sandwich somewhere only cash Euros are accepted? Find out how to purchase foreign currency right here in the United States before your vacation trip.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cash or credit card
• phone book or internet connection
• nearby Triple A store

1. 
   View of Swiss Alps from Schilthorn and Piz Gloria

   Decide where you will be going for your trip or vacation. You may plan a trip to Europe, such as Germany, Switzerland, or England. You may plan a vacation trip to the Bahamas or Caribbean.

2. Find out what foreign currency is used for the destination you plan to visit. For instance, Germany and France use the Euro, England uses the British Pound, and Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc. To determine this, you can visit the foreign currency guide site listed below.

3. Find out whether the country also readily accepts American money, or American dollars. If the country uses US dollars, you won't need to buy any foreign currency ahead of time. Or, you might be easily able to exchange your money anywhere locally in the foreign country.

4. If you are visiting more than one country, discover if there are secondary currencies accepted in the country. As an example, although Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc and has not switched to the Euro like most of the rest of Europe, you can make purchases with Euros almost everywhere. Prices at restaurants in Switzerland are often listed in Euros and Swiss Francs.

5. Once you have discovered what currency you will need, you should decide how much currency to purchase. If you wish to purchase a larger amount, such as $500 or more, your best bet might be to buy the foreign currency online (visit article listed below.) Otherwise, you can purchase the foreign currency locally at a Triple A location (source listed below).

6. 
   Foreign Coins: British Pounds, Euros, and Swiss Francs

   Call the Triple A location near to you, to see what foreign currency they have. You may be able to have them obtain the currency from another Triple A location if they don't have the currency you wish to purchase. You will let them now if you want specific denominations of bills, like all 20's, all 50's, or perhaps a mixture of the currency.

7. 
   5 British Pounds

   Go to the Triple A store and buy the foreign currency. Purchase your Euros. Buy the Swiss Francs. Buy some British Pounds.

Tips & Warnings

• In the Bahamas, there is actual Bahamian money. However, US dollars are accepted basically everywhere in the Bahamas so you don't need to purchase any Bahamian money ahead of time.
• In many train stations it costs money to use the bathroom. For instance, at Paris Gare du Nord, you will need a one euro coin. Make sure to have some coins available for restrooms stops ahead of time!
• Often the Triple A locations will already have prepackaged amounts of foreign currency. You might need to purchase the currency this way. For example, Euros might come as a pack costing $100, with predetermined amounts of each bill, like five euro bills, ten euro bills, and twenty euro bills.
• Don't purchase more money than you think you'll need. If you do, you will pay a higher exchange rate to exchange the foreign currency back to US dollars.
• Purchasing some foreign currency ahead of time can help you avoid the problem of being stuck in an airport with no local cash and an ATM that has temporarily run out of local funds!
• Some places don't accept foreign traveler's checks- so you may need to have cash on hand.

Resources

• foreign currency guide
• Contact Information for Triple A
• article on buying foreign currency online

[FutureIMBAer]

on 6/27/2009 Very helpful! I'm preparing a trip to South Africa in Sept. The last time I went out of the country I didn't convert my money until I arrived and ended up having to wait a few days. I plan to be prepared this time!