Is it better to take cash or card to Spain?
You can pay by card virtually anywhere in Spain - from large cities like Madrid or Barcelona, to remote villages on the coast. Some places though (like tobacco shops or bus recharge spots) do not accept card payments for very small transactions (under €10) so it is advisable to carry some cash around.
In Spain you can pay in cash in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. In some cases, if the payment is made through a machine, it may be necessary to pay by card. The option to pay with credit and debit cards, mainly Visa and Mastercard, is very widespread.
Research shows that in most cases you can save by opting to spend in the local currency. For example, that would mean choosing euros in Spain or dollars in the US. When you choose to pay in the currency of the region or country you're visiting, Visa or Mastercard will set the exchange rate.
A one week trip to Spain usually costs around $1,143 (€1,050) for one person and $2,287 (€2,101) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to Spain on average costs around $2,287 (€2,101) for one person and $4,574 (€4,202) for two people.
The takeaway on getting money in Spain
Pay everything with your travel debit card and forget about hidden fees. Use your debit card to get most of your money after you arrive in Spain. You can get your first wad of cash from an ATM at your arrival airport.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
As long as you avoid the DCC scam, withdrawing from an ATM is a convenient way to get reasonable rates for your Euro exchange. Because you can take out what you need, it should also mean that you don't need to carry large amounts of cash at any one time - much safer.
You can pay by card virtually anywhere in Spain - from large cities like Madrid or Barcelona, to remote villages on the coast. Some places though (like tobacco shops or bus recharge spots) do not accept card payments for very small transactions (under €10) so it is advisable to carry some cash around.
We do not recommend carrying a lot of cash with you while visiting Barcelona. However, it is a good idea to bring a small amount of Euros cash in advance to cover some initial expenses like taxi, meal etc. until you can arrive at a bank or cashpoint to obtain some more money.
It's often more cost-effective to exchange a small amount of euros in America for initial expenses and then withdraw euros from ATMs in Europe for a better exchange rate and lower fees.
Do you tip in Spain?
If you're traveling to Spain, you may be trying to figure out if and when tipping is expected. The good news is that there is no established tipping culture or minimum in Spain. While it is possible to tip, it's not expected and it isn't considered rude not to leave a tip.
Depends weather you're drinking out all the time or buying from the shop pre drinking in the room. Shop is cheaper obviously if not you will have to take quite a lot more than 500 for a week. You are talking about 70 euros per day/night of your week.No way judging by your ambitions.
I always go for ten days but self catering. Reckon 80 Euros a day for both would be sufficient and card just in case.
If you use your debit card to make a payment abroad or withdraw cash, you'll be charged a 2.99% Non-Sterling Transaction Fee. Remember that if you're given the option, it's almost always cheaper to make the payment in the local currency.
Their day starts at 8:00 am and lunch is at around 2:00 – 3:00 pm. The whole city shuts down then except for tourist sites and everything re-opens at 5:00 pm. Dinner time is also very late, at 10:00 pm and unlike in the United States, they eat a pretty big dinner. Spaniards are also big fans of bread.
Wise debit card is the best travel money card you can use while traveling around Spain. Whenever you need to get money in Spain, pay for something, use it and stop worrying about crazy fees and abusive currency exchange rates.
Under post-Brexit rules, Spanish border officials can ask travellers to show that they have 'economic resources' to cover the cost of their trip. This amounts to €100 for each day of their trip. They must also possess a minimum of €900 for their whole stay.
If you're planning a mid-range or luxury travel, you should prepare to spend more. A one-week mid-range couple trip typically costs around $2,400, while a luxury vacation will cost $5,000 and above. Plan to spend about $3,500 for a two-week couple trip.
I have read that the average tourist spends about 80 euros a day while visiting Spain.
- Get Cash at Your Bank Before Leaving the US. ...
- Avoid Currency Exchange Kiosks at Airports. ...
- Pay by Card, but Watch Out for Foreign Transaction Fees. ...
- Pay in the Local Currency to Avoid Currency Conversion Fees. ...
- Know Your ATM Fees and Limits. ...
- Use International Banking Apps.
Should you buy euros before going to Europe?
Keep in mind that this step is up to you and doesn't always get you the best exchange rate—it's not necessary to obtain euros before traveling to most European countries. Once you're in Europe, you can use your debit card at an international ATM machine.
The amount of €100 per day represents ten per cent of the gross minimum interprofessional gross salary or its legal equivalent in third-country currency multiplied by the amount of days they plan on spending in the territory of Spain and by the number of other travellers whose expenses will also be covering.
Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.
You will need some cash. Small businesses have credit/debit card minimums, especially at markets like La Boquería and Santa Caterina. Consider ordering some euros to pick up at your local branch before your trip. Some banks will have fees attached, others might just exchange the money at the official rate of the day.
Spain's currency is the euro, and is shared by 18 other European Union's Member States. In Spain, students are encouraged to use cash in smaller cities as they many not accept credit cards. Many of the business in Madrid accept credit cards. Using a credit card ensures the best exchange rate.
