As a general rule, working out how much spending money to take to Europe depends on where you go and your type of travel. If you travel on a budget to Eastern Europe it can cost $60 – $100 a day. If you travel in the middle range throughout Europe it can cost $250 – $300 per day. Finally if you travel with luxury throughout Europe it can cost anywhere from $400 per day.
Yes Mastercard debit cards work in Europe and are one of the two cards most commonly accepted throughout Europe. If the ATM has a Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro logo on it, two different coloured circles overlapping you can withdraw local currency with your Mastercard debit card.
Yes you can place Euros on a prepaid travel card or you can have your debit account linked to currency accounts like with Wise and Citibank. Most prepaid travel cards have hefty fees including initial card, loading, reloading, inactivity and ATM fees so while they are handy, there are cheaper alternatives on the market.
Debit cards, prepaid cards and credit cards with Mastercard or Visa can be used in Europe in most places. Similar to Australia, American Express is also accepted but not as frequently, due to the costs American Express places on the seller. Best to avoid other types of cards as they might not be accepted.
Yes, ordering euro from S Money can be cheaper than withdrawing money from an ATM overseas. In fact, taking both cash and a card can be a great way to bring money to Europe. It is also more convenient to have cash on you before you arrive, one less thing to do in the airport when you arrive. Finally it’s handy to have cash to tip, for smaller purchases or transport.
Yes you can withdraw cash from a travel card in Japan. However, depending on the travel card you can pay an overseas ATM withdrawal fee and international transaction fees when using a debit card overseas. It is more expensive if your travel card is a credit card because you will also pay higher interest on cash advances. Save $15 on a $300 cash withdrawal and choose the correct debit travel card or prepaid card for travel.