This article was written in partnership with Continental Currency Exchange.
Europe is the most visited continent in the world, attracting as much as 58% of global travellers per year. With so many unique cultures, landscapes, and history, it’s little wonder as to why! If you’re planning a vacation yourself, here are the top 10 currencies you need for any eurotrip!
1. Euro
This will come as no surprise, but the euro is the number one currency to have for your trip to Europe! 19 of the 28 member states of the European Union use the euro as their currency, and it is accepted in many of the others. France, Germany, Italy and more: the euro is your passport to the best of the European continent!
2. British pound
The British pound is second on our list for currencies to have with you in Europe. While the pound sterling remains one of the strongest currencies in the world, Brexit has weakened it considerably; meaning a trip to the UK has never been more affordable for Canadians than now! With great cities including London and Edinburgh, and beautiful natural areas like the Scottish highlands, there is plenty to see!
3. Swiss franc
Mountains, lakes, chocolate and cheese, Switzerland is a land of incredible beauty and delicious cuisine (fondue anyone?). Whether it’s a winter ski holiday or a summer adventure you’re after, a mountain escape or urban tour, the Swiss franc is your cash passport to unlock the very best of this alpine country! What’s more, the new franc banknotes tell the story of Switzerland in a super creative way!
4. Swedish krona
With national figures like Greta Garbo, Ingmar Bergman and Carl Linnaeus featured on its banknotes, the Swedish krona is just an all around cool currency to have. But as it also opens the way to explore Stockholm, the Arctic circle, and all the rest of the wonderful things Sweden has to offer, the krona is a good currency to carry for anyone hoping to add Scandinavia to their travel itinerary of Europe.
5. Danish krone
Another good Scandinavian currency to have in your pocket is the Danish krone. From the charming streets of Copenhagen to the beautiful beaches of the Jutland peninsula, Denmark is a country that should be on everyone’s European travel list. But as the most affordable of the Scandinavian countries, it’s also the most accessible. Make your Danish adventure happen and pick up some krone before you fly!
6. Russian ruble
From beautiful St. Petersburg on the Neva to golden-domed Moscow on the Moskva, Russia is an incredibly unique country located at the very edge of Europe. Whether you’re on a Baltic cruise, flying, or taking the bus or train, there are plenty of ways to visit; but you’ll need some rubles on hand for when you go. One cool thing about the ruble: unlike the other currencies on this list, it’ll take you outside of Europe – all the way to the Pacific!
7. Polish złoty
As the largest EU economy after Sweden not on the euro, not to mention the host country of beautiful cities like Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk, there’s plenty of reasons to pick up some złoty before you head to Europe. Besides the favourable exchange rate to the Canadian dollar, you’ll have the already low Polish prices to look forward to. Did someone say “pierogies”?
8. Hungarian forint
Another great food country, the goulash, paprikash and Hungarian sausage are reason enough in our book to pick up some forints before your eurotrip. But with Budapest, Lake Balaton, and a whole lot more to offer visitors, your European travel wallet would be incomplete without some Hungarian forints to fill it up!
9. Czech koruna
Prague, Plzen and Brno, not to mention the beer that’s about as cheap as water and probably the best you’ll ever taste, the Czech Republic is a popular destination in Eastern Europe for good reason. But to get by in newly-dubbed Czechia, you’ll need to pick up some Czech koruna. Get yours before you fly so you hit the ground running!
10. Croatian kuna
Whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or not, Croatia has been hitting more and more people’s radars in the past few years. While Croatia became a member of the EU back in 2013 and plans to enter the eurozone in the near future, it doesn’t look like Croatia will be adopting the euro for a few years yet! So for now, from the coast of the Adriatic to the Plitvice Lakes, Dubrovnik (King’s Landing) to Zagreb, the Croatian kuna is your ticket!
All of the rest:
While these currencies cover some of the best of the European continent, your tour shouldn’t stop here! Unlock the rest of the continent with these currencies:
– Albanian lek
– Armenian dram
– Azerbaijani manat
– Belarusian ruble
– Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark
– Bulgarian lev
– Georgian lari
– Icelandic króna
– Moldovan leu
– Second Macedonian denar
– Norwegian krone
– Romanian new leu
– Serbian dinar
– Turkish lira
– Ukrainian hryvnia
Need help planning your next European vacation? Fill our our Request a Quote form and one of our experienced travel consultants will get in touch with you within 24 hours!
For further information on these currencies and more, check out the Continental Countries Guide and Currency Spotlights!
Interested in getting the best rate guaranteed on your currency exchange? Learn more about Continental Currency Exchange or visit one of their 19 branches in Ontario today!
