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Search in Softguide Barcelona

Present Exchange rates
Some advice on security in Barcelona
Banco de España
Visa Spain
American Express

 

Currency:

Spain uses the Euro, introduced throughout Europe in 2002. Coins are available in 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euros. Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 euros. Every country has its own motifs in the design of coins and notes, but they are all valid in any country member. More information including pictures of coins and notes and exchange rates is available at: Central European Bank website.

We recommend the Yahoo pages for the present exchange rates

Exchange:

We recommend using Banks, Savings Banks (Cajas de Ahorros) and other official exchange houses, to avoid possible frauds. Almost all the banks in the city center have counters for exchange (canvi or moneda estrangera). In the Ramblas, in the area around the Liceo metro station, there are a number of exchange offices open weekdays and holidays with extended hours and reliable. In the airport, and in the main train and bus stations there are exchange offices with extended opening hours:

Airport Barcelona-El Prat. At Terminals A and B : La Caixa. From 7.00 - 22.00 h

Barcelona-Sants train Station. Monday to Sunday, 8.00 - 22.00 h.

Nord Bus Station: Until 22.00

Banks and Savings banks:

Timetables of Banks and Savings Banks : Monday to Friday 8.30 to 14 h, and Saturdays from 8.30 to 13 h (in the summer they are closed on Saturdays). Savings banks (Cajas or Caixas) are also open on Thursdays all afternoon, except in the summer.

Checks, credit cards & cash machines (ATM's):

Most cash dispensers (ATMs) accept VISA and MasterCard credit cards, and usually offer favourable exchange rates, though you pay conversion fees -See Europe for visitors advice--You may be limited to about 600 euro cash per day from these machines. We recommend to go with company to the cash dispenser, avoid lonely areas and night. Make sure with your credit card company that you can withdraw from cash points (ATMs) in Spain. Check what fee will the bank charge you for the transaction. Travellers cheque are a safer way to travel as you are insured if they are stolen. American Express and Thomas Cook Travellers checks can be cashed at most bank and exchange houses.
In Barcelona there are a number of foreign banks: check out if yours is in the city to avoid paying extra fees.

TELEPHONES FOR LOST OR STOLEN CARDS :

Credit Visa: 913 626 200 and 902 114 400
American Express: 902 375 637
Dinners Club: 902 401 112
Visa - Mastercard: 900 971 231 y 900 991 216 (toll free)
Red 6000: 915 965 300 and 915 965 335
Tarjeta 4B 902 114 400 and 913 626 200
Citybank: 902 241 200
Servired - (Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria): 902 224 466
Thomas Cook: 900 99 44 03 (toll free)
Caixa d'Estalvis de Catalunya: 934 799 914 (Barcelona)
Caixa de Pensions "la Caixa": 933 307 009 (Barcelona)
Caja Madrid: 902 246 810

Standard prices on February 2008:

• Daily 3 course meal including drink and dessert: 11€
• Very economical accommodation single room : 35 €
• Beer: 2.50 € on terrace , 2.00 at the bar
• Single metro ticket: 1.30 €
• Coffee: 1.60 € at the bar