{"id":8686,"date":"2018-07-06T10:54:12","date_gmt":"2018-07-06T08:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smolio.ch\/wissen\/change-money-for-vacations-vacation-timehow-to-pay-less\/"},"modified":"2024-09-17T08:34:31","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T06:34:31","slug":"change-money-for-vacations-vacation-timehow-to-pay-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smolio.ch\/en\/wissen\/change-money-for-vacations-vacation-timehow-to-pay-less\/","title":{"rendered":"Change money for vacations – vacation time!\nHow to pay less"},"content":{"rendered":"Lesedauer<\/span> 2<\/span> Minuten<\/span><\/span>\n

The trip is booked, the suitcase is packed and the vacation fund is hopefully well filled.\nOh no, changing money for the vacation – forgotten?\nWe often don’t think about <\/span>how to get the foreign currency we needuntil just before we leave <\/span>.\nDiscover a few quick tips to prevent too much money from your vacation fund going to the bank! <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Within Europe, access to cash and payment fees are not always cheap, but are generally manageable.\nATMs and card payments are available almost everywhere, and changing money for vacations is largely automatic.\nIf you stick to a few simple rules, you pay less.\nIf the trip goes a little further, you also need <\/span>a little more preparation when it comes to external money.<\/b><\/p><\/div>\n\n

Change money for vacations<\/h2><\/div>\n\n

If you are dependent on cash, it is better to get some foreign currency in advance.\nNobody wants to deal with dodgy exchange offices with extortionate prices.\nIn some countries, that’s just the way it is. <\/span>Especially when traveling to exotic countries, it is therefore worth changing some money at home for the first time<\/b> and s’bitzeli to compare: What conditions does my own bank offer?\nWhat conditions do I get at the SBB counter?\nFor example, SBB offers discounted conditions to holders of a GA travelcard.\nDepending on the situation, it may be worth going to your own bank, or you could just go to the SBB counter at the airport on your departure. <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n

Unlock cards<\/h2><\/div>\n\n

For security reasons, your cards, especially Maestro cards, are blocked in many countries outside Europe.\nIf you are traveling outside Europe, you should <\/span>make sure with your bank that your cards are also activated for the planned countries. <\/b>It is not uncommon for us to find ourselves in front of ATMs abroad and then have to make expensive calls to Switzerland to get cash.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n

Maestro or credit card?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n

We are used to paying by credit card.\nHowever, this is <\/span>Withdrawing cash by credit card is generally expensive. <\/b>Many Maestro cards have a fixed price, which can be worthwhile for larger amounts at a time.\nSome credit cards offer special conditions and you pay less or nothing for cash withdrawals abroad.\nOtherwise you pay percentage fees on the credit card.\nIf in doubt, withdraw larger amounts with Maestro and pay smaller amounts by credit card. <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n