Madrid Travel Forum

Should I convert currency to Euro at home or once I reach Spain? If it is better to do it in Spain, at the airport or in the city? Any suggestions....

Polyxeno's got it right. Although, to be safe, you should convert a couple of dollars to euros before even boarding a plane.

Agree with the 2 posters above, take some Euros with you already but do not use the exchange desks at the airport. It's better to use an ATM or exchange money in the city, which will always be better than doing it at the airport, but the ATM is still a better option.

Thanks a bunch, your suggestions have been very helpful...

The only problem with the ATM is the commission they charge every time you withdraw money (and yes, they also charge every time you exhange money either in your country or, in this case, in Madrid.

The only problem with the ATM is the commission they charge every time you withdraw money (and yes, they also charge every time you exhange money either in your country or, in this case, in Madrid.

If you have an ATM or ATM-Visa card, bring a couple of hundred dollars (but *don't change them) - then withdraw Euros in the airport ATM.

The couple of hundred dollars are only emergency in case your card does not work. Make sure you check with your bank to insure your ATM is "turned on" for international. When outside the airport, I've had banks flatly refused my card, only to have the next one down the road work. It's good having more than one ATM.

I always come back with the dollars unchanged.