Money in London question??

wiefan · 07-18-2010, 02:53 AM

Hi ya folks...I need some info...in Sept, my spouse, I, and a few friends are going to Europe...we will be with Trafalgar Tours...I am concerned about London and their money...I already bought euros, but I am told that in London, the currency is different...Pounds, Shillings Pence etc...heck I don't even know what is worth what...

my question is this...in London, will they accept US money or Euros...or do I have to get London type Money...we will only be there for one day and a half

I just know I am going to enjoy this trip...so much to see and do and experience....parts of London, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Morocco, France....

the theme of this trip is basically to see the "Passion of Christ Play" in Oberragamerau Germany....I have heard that this is a really big deal...the entire town celebrates this every ten years...story has it that this town was saved from the Plague and that is why they do this HUGE production every Ten years as Gratitude to Christ...should be pretty darn interesting

anyway...if anyone can give me "tidbits" about the London Currency situation that I have...I will appreciate it

since I just love my Soda, I know it is going to cost me a Bunch since sodas in Europe are SUPER expensive...but what the heck...you only live once....might as well enjoy it

anyway...all of you have a good day...by the way...has anyone here gone to this Oberragamerau thingy...if so...how was it...just curious.....anyway...have a good day folks!!

heddwyn · 07-18-2010, 05:54 AM

'London type money' - gasp! No idea if they accept Euros in London (StJ might know), though some may take US dollars, but NOT on public transport. It depends what you might do in London, WF. Any reason you can't use plastic for restaurants? To be on the safe side, I'd exchange a few $$ for pounds either at the airport before you leave or at whichever London airport you arrive at. There are plenty of exchange places around London itself.

Word of warning, though it might be different in the US. Let your bank know you'll be travelling in Europe and they may be payments on your card/s during the period you're away. The UK has a nasty habit of banks blocking cards if they are not told it'll be used overseas and over what period.

wiefan · 07-18-2010, 06:21 AM

Hi Ya Hedwynn...THANKS for the info...I think I will get some London Money....most of everything that we will be doing is already Paid...but I will need some for "trinkets and snacks"...I will look into "plastic"...debit card sounds like the way to go...thanks for the Heads up

whew...I am starting to get excited and Jazzed....I have already made a Wikipedia Booklet of all of the places that we are going to visit....very very interesting reading

anyway...again...thanks a Bundle!!...your info was MOST Helpful....have a good day...see ya!!

I already bought a "Language Voice Translator" and Electrical Plug and Voltage converters...I think I am almost prepared....anyway...again Thanks and see ya!!

MarinePaul · 07-18-2010, 06:38 AM

Wiefan, that sounds like a great trip. I've never been to Europe, but the wife keeps nagging, I mean suggesting, that we should go. Let us know how the trip was.

xman5 · 07-18-2010, 09:06 AM

Britain went decimal almost 40 years ago, so its simple.

It is rare that euros will be excepted. The only places might be large tourist areas (Airport, Train Station).

Credit cards will try to screw you on the worst exchange rate for the month.
Its best to convert a certain amount of Dollars to Pounds for all of your small purchases. Your walking around money

Blue · 07-18-2010, 12:58 PM

In my experience, best deal is to use your debit card at a local ATM to get local currency. A few things are different: the ATMs may only accept a four-digit PIN, so if you have a PIN with more digits find out from your bank before you go how to convert that. You may just have to drop off the last digits. Also, some only accept Visa debit, not MasterCard debit. Some people I know get traveler's checks or an AmEx debit card in local currency before they leave. I did that a long time ago but have not tried it recently.

wiefan · 07-18-2010, 01:50 PM

Hi ya folks....

Marinepaul, I will let you know how the trip went...I am pretty positive that I will super enjoy it....it is good to see how people in other parts of the world live and also to see stuff in person, that you only read about in books

xman, thanks for the walking around cash idea...I was Planning to do that...when I go to the Casino in Monte Carlo...I will think about the mylpga Poker players as I try the "Texas Holdem Table game"...or perhaps even a small Tournament if they have one....oops, there goes my walking around money....hmmm

Blue...PERFECT IDEA...I will have my debit card with me and it is a 4 diget pin and it is a VISA...hmmm...perhaps now, I won't have to Purchase "too much" London Money beforehand....thanks for the ATM Idea

folks...as I mentioned before...I bought a Voice Language Translator....really a neat gizmo...it has about 1500 different phrases in about 10 languages....the most fun of this is...I can get the Translator to say the phrase that I want....BUT should a HUMAN speak his/her reply...I won't understand a single word....ahhh....back to the "Point and hand gestures" guessing....however, i am guessing that since I will be going to mostly Tourist places, English will probably be spoken.....

regardless, I will have on my "Humble, Coy, Innocent wiefan face on"...so I suspect that the Europeans will feel sorry for me and take it easy on this poor BIG EYED Tourist....hmmm...perhaps I will leave my "Wiesy Golf Button" home...lemme see if I can find a "Laura Davis Button" on Ebay....go Laura go!!

have a good day folks...see ya!!

heddwyn · 07-18-2010, 02:22 PM

They use a four digit PIN here, but what you might find is you cannot use the PIN and will have to sign when you use the card so make sure you've signed your card. I had to do that when I used my Aussie cards in the UK, same when I was in the USA.

Xman, I'm surprised at you saying about being screwed on exchange rates. In my experience Visa use the bank exchange rates and not tourist rates so you get a better deal. Payments have been instant and not held up, however, I have at times had conversion rate fees added, a couple of dollars. I don't find that a problem for the convenience of using my card.

MarinePaul · 07-18-2010, 04:03 PM

Wiefan, don't make it sound too good. If the wife reads it, I may end up having to either take her or listen to even more nagging. Seriously, I hope you have a great time, and I look forward to hearing about it.

Buzzer · 07-18-2010, 05:12 PM

Hey, MP....why not send Mama with Wiefan, then you can hit the courses all day/everyday.

Viva Annika

07-18-2010, 02:53 AM	#1
wiefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,135	Money in London question?? Hi ya folks...I need some info...in Sept, my spouse, I, and a few friends are going to Europe...we will be with Trafalgar Tours...I am concerned about London and their money...I already bought euros, but I am told that in London, the currency is different...Pounds, Shillings Pence etc...heck I don't even know what is worth what... my question is this...in London, will they accept US money or Euros...or do I have to get London type Money...we will only be there for one day and a half I just know I am going to enjoy this trip...so much to see and do and experience....parts of London, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Morocco, France.... the theme of this trip is basically to see the "Passion of Christ Play" in Oberragamerau Germany....I have heard that this is a really big deal...the entire town celebrates this every ten years...story has it that this town was saved from the Plague and that is why they do this HUGE production every Ten years as Gratitude to Christ...should be pretty darn interesting anyway...if anyone can give me "tidbits" about the London Currency situation that I have...I will appreciate it since I just love my Soda, I know it is going to cost me a Bunch since sodas in Europe are SUPER expensive...but what the heck...you only live once....might as well enjoy it anyway...all of you have a good day...by the way...has anyone here gone to this Oberragamerau thingy...if so...how was it...just curious.....anyway...have a good day folks!!

07-18-2010, 06:38 AM	#4
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,002	Wiefan, that sounds like a great trip. I've never been to Europe, but the wife keeps nagging, I mean suggesting, that we should go. Let us know how the trip was. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-18-2010, 04:03 PM	#9
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,002	Wiefan, don't make it sound too good. If the wife reads it, I may end up having to either take her or listen to even more nagging. Seriously, I hope you have a great time, and I look forward to hearing about it. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

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07-18-2010, 05:54 AM	#2
heddwyn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,380	'London type money' - gasp! No idea if they accept Euros in London (StJ might know), though some may take US dollars, but NOT on public transport. It depends what you might do in London, WF. Any reason you can't use plastic for restaurants? To be on the safe side, I'd exchange a few $$ for pounds either at the airport before you leave or at whichever London airport you arrive at. There are plenty of exchange places around London itself. Word of warning, though it might be different in the US. Let your bank know you'll be travelling in Europe and they may be payments on your card/s during the period you're away. The UK has a nasty habit of banks blocking cards if they are not told it'll be used overseas and over what period.

07-18-2010, 06:21 AM	#3
wiefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,135	Hi Ya Hedwynn...THANKS for the info...I think I will get some London Money....most of everything that we will be doing is already Paid...but I will need some for "trinkets and snacks"...I will look into "plastic"...debit card sounds like the way to go...thanks for the Heads up whew...I am starting to get excited and Jazzed....I have already made a Wikipedia Booklet of all of the places that we are going to visit....very very interesting reading anyway...again...thanks a Bundle!!...your info was MOST Helpful....have a good day...see ya!! I already bought a "Language Voice Translator" and Electrical Plug and Voltage converters...I think I am almost prepared....anyway...again Thanks and see ya!!

07-18-2010, 09:06 AM	#5
xman5 Contest Statistician Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 3,903	Britain went decimal almost 40 years ago, so its simple. It is rare that euros will be excepted. The only places might be large tourist areas (Airport, Train Station). Credit cards will try to screw you on the worst exchange rate for the month. Its best to convert a certain amount of Dollars to Pounds for all of your small purchases. Your walking around money

07-18-2010, 12:58 PM	#6
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	In my experience, best deal is to use your debit card at a local ATM to get local currency. A few things are different: the ATMs may only accept a four-digit PIN, so if you have a PIN with more digits find out from your bank before you go how to convert that. You may just have to drop off the last digits. Also, some only accept Visa debit, not MasterCard debit. Some people I know get traveler's checks or an AmEx debit card in local currency before they leave. I did that a long time ago but have not tried it recently.

07-18-2010, 01:50 PM	#7
wiefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,135	Hi ya folks.... Marinepaul, I will let you know how the trip went...I am pretty positive that I will super enjoy it....it is good to see how people in other parts of the world live and also to see stuff in person, that you only read about in books xman, thanks for the walking around cash idea...I was Planning to do that...when I go to the Casino in Monte Carlo...I will think about the mylpga Poker players as I try the "Texas Holdem Table game"...or perhaps even a small Tournament if they have one....oops, there goes my walking around money....hmmm Blue...PERFECT IDEA...I will have my debit card with me and it is a 4 diget pin and it is a VISA...hmmm...perhaps now, I won't have to Purchase "too much" London Money beforehand....thanks for the ATM Idea folks...as I mentioned before...I bought a Voice Language Translator....really a neat gizmo...it has about 1500 different phrases in about 10 languages....the most fun of this is...I can get the Translator to say the phrase that I want....BUT should a HUMAN speak his/her reply...I won't understand a single word....ahhh....back to the "Point and hand gestures" guessing....however, i am guessing that since I will be going to mostly Tourist places, English will probably be spoken..... regardless, I will have on my "Humble, Coy, Innocent wiefan face on"...so I suspect that the Europeans will feel sorry for me and take it easy on this poor BIG EYED Tourist....hmmm...perhaps I will leave my "Wiesy Golf Button" home...lemme see if I can find a "Laura Davis Button" on Ebay....go Laura go!! have a good day folks...see ya!!

07-18-2010, 02:22 PM	#8
heddwyn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,380	They use a four digit PIN here, but what you might find is you cannot use the PIN and will have to sign when you use the card so make sure you've signed your card. I had to do that when I used my Aussie cards in the UK, same when I was in the USA. Xman, I'm surprised at you saying about being screwed on exchange rates. In my experience Visa use the bank exchange rates and not tourist rates so you get a better deal. Payments have been instant and not held up, however, I have at times had conversion rate fees added, a couple of dollars. I don't find that a problem for the convenience of using my card.

07-18-2010, 05:12 PM	#10
Buzzer Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hilton Head, SC Posts: 2,831 Images: 13	Hey, MP....why not send Mama with Wiefan, then you can hit the courses all day/everyday. Viva Annika