You can get euros in the US through your bank, a currency exchange service, or an airport kiosk, with your bank typically offering the best combination of convenience and fair pricing. If you plan ahead, you can have euros in hand days before your trip. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll still have options, but you’ll likely pay more for them.
Order From Your Bank or Credit Union
Most major banks and many credit unions will sell you euros directly. Some branches keep euros on hand, but most will need to order them for you, which usually takes two to five business days. You can often place the order online or by phone and pick up the cash at your local branch.
Banks generally offer exchange rates close to the “mid-market rate,” which is the real rate you’d see on Google or a financial news site. They may charge a small commission or build a markup of 1% to 3% into the rate. Either way, this is usually cheaper than exchanging money at an airport. Call ahead to confirm your branch offers foreign currency orders, ask about any fees, and find out the minimum order amount. Some banks waive fees entirely for checking account holders.
Use a Currency Exchange Service
Dedicated currency exchange companies operate storefronts in major cities and shopping centers, and several offer online ordering with home delivery. You place an order on their website, and physical euros arrive at your door via insured shipping, typically within one to five business days.
Delivery fees vary by provider and order size. Smaller orders often carry a flat shipping charge in the range of $5 to $10, while larger orders may ship free. Minimum order amounts are common, often starting around $100 equivalent. The exchange rate markup at these services can range from 2% to as much as 8% depending on the company, so compare the total cost (rate plus fees) rather than looking at either number alone. Search for “currency exchange near me” to find local storefronts where you can compare rates in person.
Buy Euros at the Airport
Airport currency exchange kiosks are the most convenient option and the most expensive. Markups of 7% to 15% above the mid-market rate are typical, plus many kiosks add a per-transaction fee on top. For a $500 exchange, that could mean losing $35 to $75 compared to ordering through your bank.
If the airport is your only option, exchange just enough to cover a cab and a meal. You can get a better rate once you arrive in Europe by withdrawing euros from an ATM there.
Withdraw Euros From ATMs in Europe
This isn’t a way to get euros before you leave, but it’s worth knowing because it’s often the cheapest method overall. ATMs connected to major networks like Visa or Mastercard dispense euros at exchange rates very close to the mid-market rate. The main costs are your bank’s foreign transaction fee (typically 1% to 3% of the withdrawal) and a possible flat ATM fee of $2 to $5 per transaction.
Some US banks and credit unions reimburse foreign ATM fees or charge no foreign transaction fees at all. If yours does, ATM withdrawals abroad become extremely cost-effective. Make larger, less frequent withdrawals to minimize per-transaction fees. Before you leave, call your bank to let them know you’ll be using your card overseas so they don’t freeze it for suspicious activity.
Use a Multi-Currency Debit Card
Fintech platforms like Wise and Revolut let you open a multi-currency account, hold euros digitally, and spend them with a linked debit card. You convert dollars to euros inside the app at the mid-market rate (or very close to it), then use the card to pay at shops and restaurants in Europe or withdraw euros from ATMs.
Wise, for example, converts currency at the mid-market rate and charges a small transparent fee, usually well under 1%. You can hold euros in your account before your trip and spend them without further conversion charges. ATM withdrawals are free up to a monthly limit, after which a small percentage fee applies. These cards won’t give you physical euros to carry before you leave the US, but they reduce your need to carry large amounts of cash at all.
How Much Cash to Bring
You don’t need to convert your entire travel budget into euros before departure. Card payments are widely accepted across the eurozone, and ATMs are easy to find. A reasonable approach is to bring enough euros to cover your first day or two: ground transportation, tips, small purchases, and meals at places that might not take cards. For most travelers, that means somewhere between 100 and 300 euros in cash.
If you’re carrying $10,000 or more in currency (or the euro equivalent) when crossing a US border, you’re required to declare it to US Customs. There’s no limit on how much you can carry, but failing to declare amounts above that threshold can result in the money being seized.
Comparing Your Options
- Best rate: Multi-currency debit cards and bank orders typically offer the lowest markups, often under 2%.
- Most convenient before your trip: Ordering through your bank or a home-delivery exchange service gets euros to you with minimal effort.
- Cheapest for larger amounts: ATM withdrawals in Europe with a no-foreign-fee bank account keep costs near zero.
- Most expensive: Airport kiosks and hotel exchange desks consistently charge the highest markups.
Whatever method you choose, check the total cost rather than just the posted exchange rate. A service advertising “no commission” may bury its profit in a wide rate markup, while one that charges a flat fee might give you a rate much closer to the real market value. Convert a round number like $500 through each option and compare what you’d actually receive in euros.