In message , Helen Deborah
Vecht writes

That was not my experience when I went to Italy last year and used my
card at an ATM. I withdrew 240-250 Euro (maxima varied) and found I was
paying about £8 in transaction charges each time.

The charge (if there is one) varies enormously according to who you bank
with.

I am charged around £8 by Barclaycard for each such transaction I make,
while my partner (using the same machine in Venice - usually the one up
near Santa Lucia) is charged nothing at all on a Nationwide account. We
now operate an agreement which is not in Barclaycard's interest

I find it impossible to answer the OP's question - finding the best deal
for changing money depends on many variables, including fluctuating
exchange ranges. Some days it is better to do it before leaving, other
days it is not. I can't possibly comment on the situation in the US -
here in the UK, I often find that changing pounds for euros at the local
Post Office is by far the cheapest and most efficient choice.

--
Paul Terry