Money in Ireland

Got questions about how to handle money issues on our Irish Tour?   If so, you may find answers below.   Or else not.   Before we get to that, here's a quick quiz for you. 

1. Today how much U.S. money would you have to spend to get one Euro dollar?  
     A. 67 cents      B. $1.30      C. $245.50
 
2. While in Ireland, which of these would be the best place to exchange your U.S. money for Euros?
     A. Currency Exchange Booths    
     B. An ATM       C. A guy in a trench coat


3. The U.S. dollar symbol is $. What is the Euro symbol?
     A. 0      B. €    C. z


Answers:   B, B, and of course, B. 

By the way, the € symbol comes AFTER the number in Ireland. And instead of a decimal point they use a comma. Thus we might see a Irish price tag reading 20,50€ (which would be $26.74 U.S.)  

Euro coins come in 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars. Paper Euro’s come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.

Below you’ll find a bunch of money tips from “Rick Steve’s Ireland, 2013.”    His guides to European countries are widely acclaimed as the best.

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Bring both a debit card and a credit card. Use the debit card at ATM’s to withdraw local currency for most purchases. Use the credit card for larger purchases. For emergencies, bring several hundred dollars in hard cash in easy-to-exchange $20 bills. Avoid using currency exchange booths because of their lousy rates and outrageous fees. 
 
Cash is just as desirable in Ireland as it is at home. Small businesses (hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.) prefer you pay your bills with cash. Some vendors will charge you extra for using a credit card, and some won’t take credit cards at all. Cash is best, and sometimes the only way.
 
Throughout Europe ATM’s are the standard way for travelers to get cash. Stay away from “Independent ATM’s such as Travelex, Euronet, and Forex which have huge commissions and terrible exchange rates. 
 
To withdraw money from an ATM, you need a debit card (ideally with a VISA or Master Card logo) plus PIN code. Know your PIN code in numbers—there are no letters, only numbers on European keypads. You can use a credit card at an ATM but it’s more expensive.

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[Rick Steves recommends that you check with your credit and debit card companies before embarking, to make sure your card will work in Ireland and to alert them that you’ll be using the card in Ireland so they won’t deny transactions as suspicious.]
 
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I’ve had a request to focus a blog issue on how to dress/pack for our tour of Ireland.  You do NOT want me giving fashion advice, so please send me information about your packing plans. 

Write me at bowdavis@msn.com