Way OT: Currency Exchange?

Credit card all the way. Never carry more cash than what I need for tolls.

Or you can go to your bank branch to order some. You might have to wait a few days even in NYC or be charged fees. My wife used to work for Citibank and ususally we took no more than 1000 USD equivelent. 

the spread at joints in airport, especially in US, are usually very bad. but this varies btw countries to countries, and could be quite good in some countries. All you need to look at is the difference between buy and sell because they do both.  

Draft and stash works well if you don't think the player is physically ready for NBA ball

Use a no-forex-fee credit card where possible -- but credit cards aren't as ubiquitous worldwide as they are in the US.  If you're going to tourist-type places, bring cash and exchange it in small amounts as you need it; you don't want to return to the US with a bunch of leftover euros.  If not, you'll get a good base rate from an ATM, but the effective rate can get destroyed by out-of-network ATM fees, depending upon your bank and the foreign ATM you're using.  Each ATM withdrawal should be as large as practical, subject to not having a lot of cash left over.

The only reason to convert cash at the airport is if you'll need it to get to your hotel (e.g., for a taxi/rideshare or a train ticket).  Even then, get it at your destination airport.  Currency conversion in the US is almost universally a worse deal than it is abroad.

Finally, avoid black market conversion unless you're with a local that you know well.  Using counterfeit euros is a great way to ruin your vacation. :-)  If the rate seems too good to be true, or if you feel unsafe, trust your gut and go somewhere else.

Protip: If you do end up with a bunch of euros left over at the end of your trip, apply them to your hotel bill.  The hotel will have no problem accepting part-cash, part-credit payment if necessary, and that way you don't pay another exchange fee to get dollars back.

Have a great trip!

I just grabbed Euro's from ATM's.  Otherwise I used my capital one card for charging.  Almost exclusively used ATM's and cash though, never got charged more than $5 and I'd take out about 350 euros each time, enough for a poor college kid for a month.

Warn your card provider(s) before leaving to avoid annoying fraud lockups the first time you go to use them.

Even paying a fee which my bank at the time(forget who) waived once monthly it's going to be less than a hotel/airport money exchanger guy unless you're silly enough to only take out a few euros at a time.  I'd brought a good chunk of US cash "in case", but never needed or used it.

Credit Card with no foreign transaction fees is the most convenient way to go. If you need cash, some Charles Schwab accounts allow no fee currency conversions. 

If available to you, try the TD Premier checking account (can be opened in 20 minutes at a branch).  The account has no FX transaction fee or non-TD ATM fee (TD doesn't itself charge a fee and they will actually reimburse the fee that the other bank/ATM charges you).

You can then basically go to any ATM in the world and get local-currency cash without paying any fees while getting the previous day's spot rate.  I opened one up a few years ago specifically for this reason when I was traveling out of the country.

Good Luck!

I have lived in Switzerland for 12 years. I have drawn cash out of ATMs with my US credit cards and that would be your best route... like everyone is saying. It really depends on the country you are going to. You will find ATMs at the airport where you land if you need cash. Just bear in mind that if you get Euros, make sure you get small denominations... less than 50€ notes. Lots of places will not have change.

You can go "no annual fee" or use "cash back" strategies.

Here are some good choices:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-card/

Lots of good comments here.

I would echo that many top-tier credit cards don't have foreign txn fees.  Also, some credit unions don't charge for you to use foreign ATMs to get cash (but you may have to pay a fee charged BY the foreign ATM).  My credit union also will give you Euros with just a couple days' notice.

Finally, one other tip: when paying, especially for large charges like hotel bills, if given the option, pay in Euros and let your credit card company do the conversion to dollars.  Often hotel exchange rates are very unfavorable.

A) great tips on here.

B) I never quite understood the hype in worrying about foreign transaction fees. Sure, avoid them if you can, obviously. But for most people on an annual trip, if you put $5k on your card and they charge you 3%, it's 'only' $150. Plenty of factors on your trip will 'waste' more than that. (Including the annual fee for the wrong card). My point being, if your card charges a fee, don't let that worry you.

Rubles, man. That's the only way to travel.

You will be asked if you approve the exchange rate, and you are not charged a fee.