Swiss Franc exchange

Greg81

Hi,

I am heading for a roadtrip through few countries in Europe next month. I will be going through Switzerland (3 days in total over there). I thought it would be smart to have few Francs with me.

My question is: What is better, exchange 300 Swiss francs in a bank here in Ireland or withdraw 300 Swiss francs from ATM over there?

Any ideas?

Thank you.

zagmund

Or avoid Switzerland entirely if you want to save money. We passed through there the other day - our bill for 4 rough and ready pizzas and water in a non flash area of Zurich was about eur/chf85. The exchange rate is 1:1 for all intents and purposes. When we got to Austria we had 4 larger meals, deserts, beers, etc . . . and the bill came to something like eur60, and this was in Kitzbuhel which wouldn't be one of the cheaper resorts.

What I'm getting at is that if you are worried whether you will save eur3 or so on the transaction of taking out money, then Switzerland is the wrong country.

z

Greg81

zagmund wrote: »

Or avoid Switzerland entirely if you want to save money. We passed through there the other day - our bill for 4 rough and ready pizzas and water in a non flash area of Zurich was about eur/chf85. The exchange rate is 1:1 for all intents and purposes. When we got to Austria we had 4 larger meals, deserts, beers, etc . . . and the bill came to something like eur60, and this was in Kitzbuhel which wouldn't be one of the cheaper resorts.

What I'm getting at is that if you are worried whether you will save eur3 or so on the transaction of taking out money, then Switzerland is the wrong country.

z

OK. Can't avoid Switzerland. Route is already planned etc. Anyway I am visiting Switzerland every year for last 5-6 years and always exchange money in the bank before the trip. I just want someone to assure me or not that what I am doing is better than withdrawing from ATM. But if someone will tell me that the difference is up to 3-5 Euro or less I would not care.

munchkin_utd

just did some sums.
To buy 300 Francs is €282 at the current exchange rate (before charges/ commission of a few euro), so the ball park of what you'd be expecting at a cash machine.
To buy notes at Ulster Bank as an example is €291 plus €2.54 commission (1%, max of 2.54)

zagmund

I just checked my bank statement - the 100 Francs I took out at an ATM on Friday came through at e95.56. I think the ATM offered to charge me something like e98 or so.

z

Greg81

Thx for that. I will withdraw cash fron ATM.

zagmund

I just noticed a e2 charge on top of the above rate, so that would be more like e97.56. However, if you take out the 300 in one go and still only get hit for e2 then the overall rate is still good.

z