Banks
Banks are generally open 8am–2pm on weekdays. Some are open 4–8pm on Thursdays and 8am–2pm on Saturdays, except from July to September. Banks tend to offer better exchange and commission rates than bureaux de change, although rates do vary from bank to bank. There’s a Caixa de Catalunya exchange in Plaça de Catalunya, next to the tourist office, which stays open until 9pm. Numerous small bank branches exchange money in Estació de Sants train station and the airport; these are open from 7 or 8am to 10pm daily.
Caixa de Catalunya logo
Changing Money
Avoid changing money at bureaux de change in tourist areas as commission rates tend to be high or exchange rates poor. On the whole, banks offer better deals, but bureaux de change have the advantage of longer opening hours. Some, particularly those on La Rambla, are open until midnight.
ATMs
ATMs (cash machines) provide the easiest way to access money and are a good way to beat commission charges. Surcharges depend on your bank. Relying on ATMs also means that you can take out money in smaller denominations and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Before travelling, check with your bank that your PIN number works with foreign ATMs. Nearly all take VISA or MasterCard (Access) cards.
Travellers’ Cheques
Buy travellers’ cheques in Euros. All banks cash travellers’ cheques, as do larger stores. Always carry the cheque numbers separately from the cheques. American Express and Thomas Cook are two well-known providers of travellers’ cheques. Thomas Cook has also introduced “cash passport cards”, which can be used at ATMs.
Credit Cards
Visa and MasterCard are readily accepted in all but budget hotels, restaurants and shops. American Express can generally be used in hotels, but less often in restaurants and shops. Diner’s Card is accepted in about 50 per cent of restaurants. Credit card cash advances are available from any bank (or ATM if you have a PIN number). Note that the transaction fee for cash advances on credit cards can be high.
Emergency Numbers
If your credit card is lost or stolen, call the police and your credit card company. Most credit cards have a number to call collect from abroad, which is provided at the time of issue.
900 991 216
900 97 12 31
900 99 44 26
Online Banking
The quickest and cheapest way to keep track of your bank account and credit card bills is by checking them online. It’s best to set up your online account before travelling.
Emergency Cash
It is advisable to carry some emergency cash hidden inside your luggage, separate from your wallet.
Tipping
Tipping is not the norm in Spain, though expectations are higher of tourists. Locals tip as follows: in restaurants, it is usually about five per cent of the bill. For a light meal, they round up the bill to the nearest 50 cents. Taxi drivers are usually tipped five per cent and hotel porters about 50 cents per bag.