[teagoat]

I've found that typically the easiest and very close to the cheapest way to get foreign cash is to simply withdraw it from an ATM in the destination country. Always make sure that they're charging your bank in the local currency to avoid poor exchange rates. You'll usually pay a couple bucks at the ATM and a couple more at your bank (unless you use somebody like Charles Schwab), but even with a $5 surcharge, the market rate used usually beats out the rate you can get at a money changer or from your bank before you travel.

[akamia]

That's been my experience as well. Using credit cards when possible and withdrawing cash from ATMs are the two best ways to get a good exchange rate.

[Scoundreller]

And then there are the American banks that charge foreign transaction fees on all foreign transactions, even those in US$.

Fuck you PNC.

[akamia]

Yeah. That's pretty frustrating. I always try to make sure that I have at least one card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees and I stick to that card I'm out of the country.

[JeanMarcS]

And if you can find places where there’s cashback, you can also skip the ATM fees

[akamia]

Definitely! My credit union (BECU) actually refunds ATM fees which is an amazing perk. Before I was with them I would try to look up ATMs without fees ahead of time but that can be pretty tricky and inconsistent (especially outside of cities).