Garmisch-Partenkirchen Travel Forum

Hi, What is the rate todate? ....Also is it best to get Eros before trip (leaving in April from USA) or wait til we arrive in Germany? Or base is in Mittenwald, Germany. Thanks all :)

1.00 USD = 0.792031 EUR (Source: http://www.xe.com/ucc/)

Hi Hans
So correct me if I'm wrong..That come's to 1.21 right?!

Also should I wait til I get to germany to convert to Euro?

Thanks again

It is never posible, particularly in times of economic volatility to say when will be better to exchange currencies. The rate could go up or down between now and April But by using the wedsite give by Hans you could keep an eye on fluctuations and change nearer the time of your visit.
Or simply withdraw Euros from an ATM when you arrive, using your Debit card.

If you do a Google search for

EUR USD?

(with the question mark), Google will prompt the conversion rate. Neat, isn't it?

I hear it's best to use your credit card and ATMs in Europe to get Euros, but perhaps you want to change say 20 or 50 Dollars into Euros before your visit, so you have a little money and don't have to rely on ATMs at the airport (which conversion rates may be worse).

Let your bank or credit card company know you are in Europe, so they won't panic and block your account because they think your card was stolen.

Hi again, Sorry for all the ?. So I can use by DEBIT Card (not credit card) to withdraw money out at an ATM for Eros. Are these ATM's everywhere? As I said,. we are staying in Mittenwald, I know we can easly go over to Garmish to exhange if Mittenwald does not have any...

Thanks again :)

Hi Turtleshell..Yes I have alrealy alerted my credit card co that we are traveling abroad. Thanks for the tip though! I'm trying to cover all the basis before leaving in April. One other ?, We are getting a retal car for a few days to drive into Switzerland. Do we need to obtain any special drivers license before driving in Germany/Switzerland?

Thanks again

Yes you can use either Credit or Debit card but the Debit card is best because you will be charged high interest on any cash you withdraw using a Credit Card - from the moment you withdraw it.

ATM's are available through out all of Germany - the first one you come across will probably be inside the air port.
Use you Credit Card for other, larger expenses like hotels, restaurant meals, gifts to take home etc.
AS said it is a good idea to have a small amount on you in local currency when you arrive - and to tell your Bank of your travel plans.
Also ask them about charges for using your Debit Card for cash - some Americans complain of extraordinarily high charges beimg made and itseems to vary from bank to bank.

Ranger is rigth. A debit card would be even better. I believe most Americans, as opposed to Germans, use credit rather debit cards, hence I mentioned credit cards.

As for your drivers licence, you don't have to have an international drivers licence in Germany, but it is a good idea to have one. Perhaps the car rental would be glad to see you have one, too. No idea what the rules say in Switzerland.
I believe applying for an international drivers licence will cost you ~30 USD. I would spend the mmoney.

Hi,
It is best that you carry an international drivers lic. with you. Here in the states you can get them at any AAA office. When driving in Switzerland you will need to pay for a road tax sticker. Usually there is a gas station right before you get to the border. Don't forget to get the sticker as the fines are very high for not having one.
Even though you have notified your banks that you will be traveling, this does not insure that they won't block your card. On two different trips the bank blocked my cards. It is important that you carry the international phone number of your bank so you can clear up any misunderstandings.
I'm not sure how much you will be traveling but we saved over 2% in fees by joining our local credit union.
Mike

THANK-YOU BOTH RANGER & TURTLESHALL....
WHERE Do I go IN GETTING AN INTERNATIONAL driver license? Our local DMV (division Motor Vehicle)?

I will definetely call my bank in getting the fees in taking cash from Debit card!

Hi, Is a credit Union cheaper than Bank of America (our bank)

I am calling AAA now. Thanks

You usually pay a fee for using the particular debit machine( the bank that owns the machine) just like here in the states. But where the big rub is that they (US bank) will charge you a fee to covert your money to US funes. That can be from 1 to 3%. Now that can amount to a lot of money. The banks charge for debit use as well as credit card in converting the money.

Not only does the bank charge you in converting the money but the actual bank card people (Visa-Mastercard etc) charge you usually 1%. We joined the local credit union because they don't charge anything. Now there are numerous other banks that reduce there charges but I'm not familiar with them.

If you are traveling for 4-5 weeks every year this can amount to a lot of money.

When we use a debit card machine overseas we usually get the maximum amount allowed for one day. This reduces the actual fee cost per transaction in relation to the dollars withdrawl.

One last word of warning. Never return with Euros unless you are going to use them for your next trip. Your local bank will charge you 10% to convert them to dollars. We usually empty our pockets to pay the hotel then proceed to the airport without much left.

Mike

Thank-you, Thank-you everyone for the great advise.I'm going to call one of our local Credit unions today. I just called AAA here & plan on going tomorrow to get the international permit. Again Thank you all!

Have a great trip!

As for ATMs, you need a four digit PIN that consists of numbers only (no letters).

On your debit card, see what ATM network logos are listed. The main three are PLUS, (usually linked with Visa Cards), STAR, and CIRRUS. Just do a quick web search for each one to see if they have local ATMs. I did a quick look for PLUS cards. They have ATMs in Mittenwald. The name of the institution, and even a locator map were shown. Katrin's note about the pin number is important. Make sure that is ironed out with your bank before your travel. Gary

Kathrin, Sorry about the improper spelling ! One quick note on the ATM's in Germany, a great many of them are located INSIDE banks, etc, and may not be accessible 24 hours a day. Gary

Gary, at least those ATMs inside banks are accessible around the clock. The doors have card readers.

Wednesday night, I had to wait for some 40 minutes for a train to come. With temperatures as low as 3°F / -16°C and the station building locked, I was happy to find a bank with an ATM inside. :-)

Norbert, Thanks for that information. My bank doesn't even do that with their ATMs here. Gary

You might wish to take a look at the web site for the Visa Travel Money Card. It is a pre-paid, reloadable card which isn't tied to your bank account. It is replaceable if lost or stolen. The web site: http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_travel_money.html. Gary