Any way to buy Euros from US bank account?

All of my income is from the US so it would be great to find a way to buy some Euros directly for a holiday without having to change money twice...from dollars to pounds to euros.  Any ideas?  Thanks!

Depending on where you live and your bank, your branch may keep some Euros on hand.  You should call to ask.  However, I've found that the exchange rate they provide is crap.  Also, if you're an AMEX cardholder and have an AMEX travel location close by, they will exchange.  Finally, I've heard that AAA will do this (but not certain of this.)

Regardless, why not just use your ATM card once in Europe to withdrawal euros direct?  I've found that the best and cheapest method.

Regardless, why not just use your ATM card once in Europe to withdrawal euros direct?  I've found that the best and cheapest method.

I was about to say that....

Regardless, why not just use your ATM card once in Europe to withdrawal euros direct?  I've found that the best and cheapest method.

I agree as well.

Another vote for finding an ATM when you land.    Easy to find in the train station or airport you land in. 

My tip: When you return home after this trip, hold on to €20-50 so you have some for your next trip.    Saves searching for an ATM right on arrival (although ATMs are everywhere and easy to find, it's one less worry if you're tired or it's late). 

Depending on where you live and your bank, your branch may keep some Euros on hand.  You should call to ask.  However, I've found that the exchange rate they provide is crap.  Also, if you're an AMEX cardholder and have an AMEX travel location close by, they will exchange.  Finally, I've heard that AAA will do this (but not certain of this.)

Regardless, why not just use your ATM card once in Europe to withdrawal euros direct?  I've found that the best and cheapest method.

I agree it's usually simplest to use my US CC to withdraw from an ATM in Europe.  But as far as I know there are no network banks in Malta so the fees would be large.  My home bank is Bank of America.  Barclays (only in the UK), Deutsche Bank and Bank Paribas are the ones I can use.  But even if there were a Barclay's in Malta it wouldn't be considered a network bank for the purpose of using their ATM with a B of A card.

So probably I'll have to change twice.  sigh...Thanks for everyone's thoughts and help.

The fees for using an ATM will surely be lower than the amount you will lose changing money twice.

Can you maybe work backwards... find out what banks there are in Malta and then see if any banks here are in the same network?

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The fees for using an ATM will surely be lower than the amount you will lose changing money twice.

I concur.

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Can you maybe work backwards... find out what banks there are in Malta and then see if any banks here are in the same network?

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Yes, there are banks in Malta in same network as UK banks....but none in the network with B of A.  I think I need to use my B of A card in a non-network bank.  As others have said, it probably will be cheaper than changing dollars to pounds to euros...and much cheaper than buying euros in the UK at the bank or post office.

Many thanks for everyone's suggestions.  Much appreciated.   

Oh so sorry, I didn't complete my thought! I was going to suggest then opening an account with one of the network banks, and just put some travel money in it. Oops

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The fees for using an ATM will surely be lower than the amount you will lose changing money twice.

I agree with geeta. 

Oh so sorry, I didn't complete my thought! I was going to suggest then opening an account with one of the network banks, and just put some travel money in it. Oops

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Afraid that wouldn't be much better as it still would mean converting from dollars to pounds to euros.  But I just spoke with someone at B of A who said there's only a 1% fee plus $5 per ATM withdrawal and looks like the Malta banks don't charge an extra fee.  So, if I could manage to do it in as few withdrawals as possible shouldn't be too bad.

Another vote for finding an ATM when you land.    Easy to find in the train station or airport you land in. 

My tip: When you return home after this trip, hold on to €20-50 so you have some for your next trip.    Saves searching for an ATM right on arrival (although ATMs are everywhere and easy to find, it's one less worry if you're tired or it's late). 

+1

In fact we are packing this weekend for a trip to the UK and Europe and I've checked our cash from our last trip and have 40 Euros to use in case we need it before finding an ATM.

Afraid that wouldn't be much better as it still would mean converting from dollars to pounds to euros.  But I just spoke with someone at B of A who said there's only a 1% fee plus $5 per ATM withdrawal and looks like the Malta banks don't charge an extra fee.  So, if I could manage to do it in as few withdrawals as possible shouldn't be too bad.

Sorry, did not make myself clear again, I meant deposit dollars at home and withdraw euros when you get there. No pounds needed, I wouldn't have thought so anyway?

Anyway does sound like you have it sorted.

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