Where to obtain Euros?

[cgichard]

I need to obtain low value Euros for small purchases, entrance fees, donations at monasteries, taxis and tips on the smaller Greek islands while on a cruisein a few days' time. Where best to do the exchange? At Melbourne Airport pre-flight (using ING Everyday account; at Heathrow before my flight to Athens (using an HSBC UK debit card); or leave it until I get to Athens airport (using one or other of those cards)? I have some AU$ cash in hand but not as much as I want in Euros.
ETA: at Singapore airport would be another possibility

 

[RooFlyer]

This may be useful for you

Obtaining Euro coins in Australia or Singapore

I'm hiring a car at ZRH for France and Germany shortly and will need some coins for tolls. @VPS advises from recent experience that coins are handier than cards for the peage. So I've just gone through my FX coin stash and surprisingly only found a few Euro coins. I could do the usual trick...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

EDIT. I just had a re-read and maybe not, sorry.

 

[kpc]

I need to obtain low value Euros for small purchases, entrance fees, donations at monasteries, taxis and tips on the smaller Greek islands while on a cruisein a few days' time. Where best to do the exchange? At Melbourne Airport pre-flight (using ING Everyday account; at Heathrow before my flight to Athens (using an HSBC UK debit card); or leave it until I get to Athens airport (using one or other of those cards)? I have some AU$ cash in hand but not as much as I want in Euros.
ETA: at Singapore airport would be another possibility

I would just get it from an ATM at Athens airport using a Fx free debit card and just swallow the ATM fee...should be close to the spot rate and will save a lot of hassle trying to change prior to trip.

 

[cgichard]

Thanks, kpc, but wouldn't the ATM just spit out larger denomination notes?

 

[SYD]

Thanks, kpc, but wouldn't the ATM just spit out larger denomination notes?

Not necessarily. It might / should display denominations available and then maybe withdraw a value to force smaller amounts eg 30€ can only be a 20 & 10 or 3x 10.

 

[tdimdad]

Thanks, kpc, but wouldn't the ATM just spit out larger denomination notes?

You could go to a nearby convenience store / kiosk to get a 1€ water bottle and break the larger note(s) into smaller that way.