Compare Exchange Rates to Buy Euros (EUR)
Because every company has different rates to buy Euros (EUR) with AUD, finding the best deal can be a minefield. We bring together all the options, highlight the fees and rates for each money exchange, and show you the best possible deals.
Discount Code
Receive your discount code by email and sms.
Where to buy euros in Australia?
You can buy euros (EUR) from almost every place in Australia that offers currency exchange. It is a very popular currency to exchange from Australian dollars. Places you can make cash transactions and buy euros include online, in-store at money exchangers, banks, Australia Post and the airport.
To find out exactly where you can buy euros, you can use our handy city and suburb guides, just click on the links below:
What is the cheapest way to buy euro in Australia?
The cheapest way to buy euros (EUR) in Australia is online.
To be sure of the cheapest way to buy euros, check our online currency converter calculator.
Most online money exchangers, like S Money, do not charge a transaction fee and their exchange rates are the same as the cash rate you see on Google.
The most expensive place to buy euro is at the airport, because they know you have no other options until you get to Europe. They charge a commission fee and give very poor foreign exchange rates. For an exchange of $1,000 Australian dollars, you can lose up to $100 at the airport.
What currency is used in Europe?
Euro is the currency used in Europe and is represented by the symbol €.
Euros: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200
Coins: 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, €1 and €2
Similar to the Australian Dollar, the euro is divided into 100 to make their coins.
There are 19 countries in Europe that use the euro. They are:
- Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland
- France, Germany, Greece, Ireland
- Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta
- the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain
When is the best time to buy euros with Australian dollars?
Find the best time to buy euros with Australian dollars with our rate tracker. It keeps track of the EUR to AUD or AUD to EUR exchange rate and emails you when the exchange rate gets to the rate your chose to buy euros.
The eur to aud exchange rate is historically 1.4400. In the last 10 years the EUR/AUD exchange rate hit a high of 1.8800 in late 2019, and a low of 1.1600 in the middle of 2012. Currently it is 1.6300, which means €100 could buy you A$163 at the best exchange rate.
The aud to eur exchange rate is historically 0.6600. Over the last decade, the AUD/EUR hit a high of 0.8600 in the middle of 2012 and a low in late 2019 at 0.5200. Currently its around 0.6100, so A$100 could buy you €61.00 at the best exchange rate.
How to buy euros in Australia?
Buying euros in Australia is relatively easy.
- Take your valid photo id (driver’s license or passport) with you.
- Bring your preferred payment method. Most places accept cash, debit card and credit card to pay for your euros.
- Ask for the euros amount and the money exchanger will let you know how much Australian dollars you need to pay.
- Make your payment in Aussie dollars and receive your euros.
What is the euro exchange rate?
The euro exchange rate is the rate that determines how many euros you’ll get when you buy travel money and pay with dollars - or, in the reverse, how many dollars you’ll get when selling euros.
Exchange rates are generally shown in currency pairs, so you may see the AUD - EUR rate when buying euros with dollars, or the EUR - AUD rate if you ever need to sell euros to exchange them for dollars.
How much is A$100 worth in euros
Historically the Australian dollar is worth about 0.66 euros. Therefore, AU$100 will buy you €66.00
In some years the exchange rate has been as low as 0.5200 euro and it makes buying EUR and spending in Europe relatively more expensive for an Australian. In other years the exchange rate has been as high as 0.8600 euros, which means it's cheaper for Australians to buy EUR.
Major banks tend to predict the AUD to EUR exchange rate and present reasons why the EUR change against the Aussie exchange rate.
Payment options in Europe
EUR travel debit card
Travel debit cards are often issued by specialist providers and come with a linked digital account you can top up from your bank. Many travel debit cards let you hold a balance in multiple currencies, so you can add money in dollars and then convert to euros in advance to set your travel budget. Alternatively, some cards also let you leave your balance in dollars and convert seamlessly at the point of payment. Generally you’ll find that travel debit cards have features which make it cheaper and easier to spend overseas, like good exchange rates and some free ATM withdrawals when you travel - plus, as your account won’t be linked to your everyday bank account, they’re safe to use overseas.
Wise travel debit card
Open a Wise account online or in-app and order your Wise travel debit card for a low one time fee. Once you have your card there’s no ongoing costs to pay, so you can just add money in dollars and either convert to euros or one of the other 40+ supported currencies in advance, or let the card’s auto convert feature do it for you when you pay. In either case you get the mid-market exchange rate with low fees from 0.43%, and you can make some free international ATM withdrawals every month, too.
EUR prepaid card
With a EUR prepaid card you’ll need to add a balance to your card before you can spend or make any cash withdrawals - but once you’ve got money on your card they’re easy to use and often come with some handy features for international travel. Different cards work in their own ways, but you could get some no fee ATM withdrawals, currency conversion which has no fee to pay, handy budgeting tools or travel perks and benefits including complementary insurance or lounge access. You may be able to convert your balance to EUR on the card in advance of your trip, or you might choose to convert as you pay, depending on what suits your preferences. In either case, prepaid cards are secure, and there’s no credit check, no interest and no chance of overspending accidentally while you’re in Europe.
Revolut card
Choose from one of 3 different account plans, including the Standard plan with no ongoing fees, or one of the accounts with monthly charges which unlock extra benefits and higher no-fee transaction allowances. You’ll be able to hold and exchange 30+ currencies including euros, and get a linked prepaid card with each account type, to access some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly. Limits vary depending on the plan you pick, but you’ll be able to get some no-fee currency conversion Monday to Friday, with fair usage charges after that, even with the Standard plan and card.
EUR credit card
Usually credit cards won’t let you hold a balance in EUR but you’ll still be able to spend in Europe to your card’s limit. Your spending will then be converted back to dollars using the agreed exchange rate - usually the network rate plus any foreign transaction fee that applies to your specific card. Using a credit card when you’re away can have a few benefits. Depending on the card you pick you may earn cash back or rewards, or avoid foreign transaction charges. And no matter which card type you prefer, credit cards can be used as a payment guarantee when hiring a car or checking into a hotel in Europe, which can be handy as well.
How do I get the best exchange rate at a money exchanger?
Often people need to buy pounds in Europe, so knowing how to get a good rate is handy.
- Step 1: Find a location that has 3 currency exchange services in a small area. This is easy in places like Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Dublin, Athens or Rome.
- Step 2: Visit each one and ask how many EUR you will receive for $500 (Australian dollars). This way you have their service fee or commission fees included as well as their exchange rate for AUD to EUR.
- Step 3: Visit the currency exchange service that offered the second best amount of EUR and tell them the offer you received from the best place. Ask them if they can give you a better rate.
This should take about 40 minutes. Most stores will accept cash, money card, debit card and credit card. To save time and increase your spending money, buy your EUR online before you travel.
Cash usage in Europe varies a lot. In many popular destinations, card payments are the norm - but in some countries, cash is still the preferred option. Even where cards are widely accepted, having some cash on you in euros is helpful for spending in markets, tipping and for taxis. Plus, having several different payment methods with you when you travel makes sense, just in case one is unavailable or a merchant can’t accept your preferred payment card. Be wary if carrying large amounts of cash, as this can make you an attractive target for pickpockets and opportunistic thieves. Use hotel safe deposit boxes where possible and keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
How much money do I need in Europe?
If you’re travelling to Europe from Australia, your flight is likely to be one of the major expenses you need to plan for. With one stop, you can fly from major airports in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne, to dozens of destinations in Europe - but as you’d expect the prices can be high. Expect costs to start at around 1,500 AUD per person in the European winter time, peaking at 3,500 AUD or more in the European summer. Shopping around and booking your travel in advance is essential to avoid paying more than you really have to.
Once you’re actually in Europe, the good news is that there’s a great range of accommodation types which cover pretty much every budget. You can pay a huge amount for a luxe hotel in a city centre, but you can also usually find hostels and lower cost family style accommodation, particularly in towns and villages.
For more information about Europe prices read this guide on how much things cost in Europe.
We compare Australia’s most trusted brands
Our most frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest way to buy EUR?
There’s no single cheapest way to exchange Australian dollars to euros. Generally a cheap and flexible option is to get a travel money card from a service like Wise or Revolut, which will let you hold a balance in EUR, and make cash withdrawals as and when you need to. You’ll get great exchange rates and some no fee ATM withdrawals, plus travel cards are secure to use and widely accepted in Europe.
Is it better to exchange money in Australia or Europe?
You may want to exchange a little cash in Australia before you travel, but in reality carrying all the euro cash you need for a European trip is not a smart move from a security perspective. That’s where using a travel debit or prepaid card for in-store payments and cash withdrawals can be really handy. Check out Wise and Revolut as good providers to start your research with.
When is the best time to buy euros with Australian dollars?
There’s not really a best time to buy your euros. Exchange rates change all the time, but you can find the live mid-market rates at any given time with the tools here at The Currency Shop, or with a simple Google search. If you have a travel debit card you might be able to exchange to EUR when you spot a good rate, to lock in the conversion and set your travel budget.
4. Do airports charge more for currency exchange?
Generally exchanging your currency at the airport will cost you more - but the fees may not be obvious as they can often be built into the exchange rate you’re offered instead of split out as a separate cost. Exchanging your currency in a city centre where competition drives down overall costs is a better plan if you can - or cut out the in person exchange entirely, and get a travel prepaid or debit card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, to spend in euros seamlessly with low fees and good rates.
Your currency knowledge centre
4 Expert Australian Dollar Forecasts for 2021 Compared
Forecasts for the Australian Dollar from bank experts are revised throughout the year. This article looks at the different outlooks and is updated regularly.
- Read more ⟶
- 3 min read
How to Buy Currency: Online Versus In-Store
Buying travel money online is one way to reduce stress and potentially save time – but are there any disadvantages you need to be aware of?
- Read more ⟶
- 3 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Currency Exchange in Australia
There is no single way to exchange currency that is always the cheapest. It really depends on what currency you are buying, how much and where you are.
- Read more ⟶
- 3 min read
