Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

152  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Local Currency Check the charges with your
bank in advance. Multibanco
Portugal is one of the founding members of the European machines for withdrawing
Monetary Union and one of the countries that launched cash are widely available,
the euro in 2002. Credit and debit cards are widely typically outside banks or
accepted, and funds can be readily obtained from ATMs; in shopping centres.
Smaller, wireless chip-and-PIN
those offering the best exchange rates are found mainly Multibanco machines are found
in the Baixa district. It is always a good idea to arrive with at shop counters and can be
enough euros in cash to cover one or two days’ expenditure. used to pay for a range of
Both banks and bureaux de change offer exchange services purchases including rail tickets,
but the latter may provide a faster service than banks. clothes, and meals and drinks
in restaurants. Some are even
used in taxis. Most Multibanco
machines accept Visa, American
option. There are many Express, MasterCard, Maestro
bureaux de change, such as and Cirrus cards and operate
Nova Câmbios, throughout the in several different languages.
city. They often charge higher Be sure to notify your bank
commissions than banks, but and credit card providers
this is not always the case. It’s before leaving for Portugal.
worth shopping around, Some banks forbid foreign
especially in and around transactions for security reasons
Rossio, for the best rates. unless they have been notified
Bureaux de change also offer ahead of time.
a speedier service, as well
as longer opening hours DIRECTORY
(including weekends).
As a rule, hotels have the Banks, Bureaux de
worst rates of exchange. Change and Money-
Transfer Services
Traveller’s cheques are a
Façade of a bank on the Rua do Ouro, safe but less commonly used Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
in Baixa way of carrying money; it is Argentária
rare for shops or hotels to Avenida da Liberdade 222.
Banks and Bureaux accept them as payment, and
de Change Map 5 C5. Tel 213 117 391.
cashing them may be quite
Banks are open between expensive. In general, bureaux Barclays Bank
Praça Marquês de Pombal.
8:30am and 3pm, Monday de change are better for Map 5 C5. Tel 213 190 780.
to Friday. Some branches stay this than banks, where
open for longer, sometimes commissions may be high. Caixa Geral de Depósitos
until 6pm – check at individual Funds may also be obtained Avenida da Liberdade 245.
branches. Some banks are using money-transfer com- Map 7 A2. Tel 213 512 680.
open on Saturday mornings, panies like Unicâmbio, which Novo Banco
but most banks are closed has several offices based in Avenida da Liberdade 195.
throughout weekends, and all Lisbon. Recipients can pick up Map 5 C5. Tel 213 501 000.
are closed on public holidays. money at a participating Nova Câmbios
ATM services, however, are Western Union agent in the Rua Augusta 283, Baixa.
available 24 hours daily. Money city selected by the sender. Map 7 B3.
can be changed at banks, At banks, bureaux de change
bureaux de change (agências and money-transfer companies Unicâmbio
Praça da Figueira 2, Rossio.
de câmbios) and at many hotels. you may be asked to show your Map 7 B3.
Be aware that in Portugal, passport or some other form of
larger denomination banknotes photographic identification for Lost or Stolen Cards
such as the €200 and €500 exchange transactions.
note have a limited circulation, American Express
and some establishments may Credit and Debit Cards Tel 707 504 050 (Portugal).
not accept them. MasterCard Worldwide
There are several major The most practical and Tel 800 964 767 (UK).
banks, which have branches convenient way to obtain cash
everywhere, but their rates is from an ATM (Multibanco or Visa
Tel 0800 891 725 (UK).
of exchange and commission MB) using your credit or debit
vary. Waiting times and card. Note that many banks
bureaucratic practices at banks impose a small charge for
may also make them a slow international ATM transactions.

152-153_EW_Lisbon.indd 152 17/10/16 11:35 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical (currency spread) template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.4)
Date 31st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm