Is there a right and a wrong way to exchange your sterling for euros when heading to the Alps? The simple answer is yes, but sadly the exact method differs from person to person and resort to resort.
As such, it’s a good idea to weigh up each and every option available to you and see which of the bunch works out best…a little forethought and you can’t go far wrong!
Cash Machines
It’s a given that there will (probably) be cash machines scattered all over the resort you’re heading to, meaning a ready supply of cash and the security of not having to carry it around with you in great volumes. However, whether or not this is a good idea depends on your bank and the cash machine you use.
For example, some banks will not charge you a penny for taking out cash abroad, some will charge a flat fee and others a commission on how much you take out. Some will charge you both! And then on the other end, some cash machines will charge you for using them, while others will be free. So it’s a pretty complex balancing act, but one that’s easy to get to grips with. Check the details with your bank, find a cash machine that doesn’t charge you and after taking out a small sum of cash, check your account online to see exactly what kind of value for money you got.
It’s a bit of a process, but it could save you a fortune and make your trip so easy.
Exchanges At Home
One of the most popular methods of getting hold of cash prior to a holiday is to take cash along to an exchange office before setting off. Now, more often than not this means you won’t get quite as good a rate as you would on the other end of the flight and you’ll also pay some sort of commission – it’s how they stay in business! However, you can still get a decent deal by all means and in most instances this means hitting up a bank or a Post Office, rather than a standalone change office.
Exchanges Abroad
A quick tip – don’t be tempted to change all your cash in the airport while waiting for your airport ski transfer to depart. While you probably won’t get ripped-off in the strictest sense, you’re almost guaranteed to get one of the poorest deals possible in the airport. You might also find that the closer you get to the centre of your final resort, the lower the exchange rate becomes. The best advice is to head away from the main tourist drags and insist on a full conversion before shoving your cash through the window.
Credit Cards
If you have a travel credit card, you might enjoy things like free cash withdrawals, no charges on purchases and loads of other goodies like free insurance. If you own a bog-standard credit card, you might get nothing but a huge fee slapped onto every single thing you use it for along the way. As such, you need to check with your service provider before making your decision.
Article written by Ski Transfer Finder, a simple and quick tool to get you quotes for airport transfers to ski resorts, directly from local transportation providers.
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