€

CAUTION ! Most places in Germany do not accept American credit cards. This includes restaurants, large hotels and machines for train tickets.

American Express skims 3-4% via the exchange rate and a line-item fee.

There are many ATM machines that allow credit cards to withdraw cash, but the credit card account must have a pre-arranged PIN code.  Some debit cards can use their PIN overseas, but only with a written consent form submitted in advance.  Our credit union only charged 1%, our best rate.

Every airport and large train stations have "ReiseBank AG" Exchange Counters, bright and convenient; they change a hundred dollars cash for a 16% fee.

Typical pocket-money items for 2011:

• 3€ sandwich or pastry
• 3.40€ Albtal Bahn from Karlsruhe to Bad Herrenalb (incl Bernbach bus)
• 7.5€ sheet of 10 stamps for international postcards or letters
• 10€ "S" Bahn from Munich airport to Munich
• 12€ taxi fare from Kirn train station to Hotel zur Burg
• 12€ in the airport for soup and sausage and OJ
• 20€ for a modest meal in a nice restaurant ( 17 before tip )
• 21€ for RB (RegionalBahn) from Frankfurt Airport to Kirn
• 33.4€ for RB (RegionalBahn) from Kirn to Karlsruhe 
• 60€ at a hotel that doesn't take credit cards ( vs. 90€ w/Amex next door, Bad Herrenalb Adrion vs Treff )

DETAIL for train ticket machines:  (A) Regional trains (cheap) reject American credit cards but Intercity IC trains (dear) accept them.  (B) the machines reject 50€ notes but accept 20€ notes, yet splash you with change as handfuls of shiny 0.50€ metal weights.