It’s the summer travel season and travel packages abroad are available on the cheap.

But wander-lusters beware, it seemingly takes an economics degree from Wharton to figure out things like U.S. dollar conversions, what charges you trigger by using either a debit or credit card, and what country uses what currency.

So if you go, remember these handy cash acquisition tips when traveling in foreign bourses.

Use an ATM – Sure, it seems obvious, but for convenience and low transaction fees, you can’t beat the king of all cash dispensers. Before you travel, call your bank and check what fees it charges for using an ATM overseas. Bigger banks, like Citi (Stock Quote: C) have a vast network of ATMs abroad, and that can benefit Citi customers. If your bank doesn’t have an ATM network, or access to one, overseas, be prepared to spend up to 3% of the ATM transaction in bank fees, and another 1%-to-2% in currency conversion charges if you use a credit or debt card in your travels. Note that foreign banks also charge a fee for using their ATM’s.

Use the Euro – Most European countries - 17 in all, now call the Euro their common currency. So if you’re traveling in Europe, stock up on Euros and save yourself the hassle and expense of changing money at country borders, or from grabbing too many Swiss Francs (Switzerland is a non-Euro country) that you can’t use when your leave the country. For a record of which European countries honor the Euro, and what the exchange rate is, visit this web site.

Use your debit card – You’ll save money on bank fees if you use your debit card to get cash out of an ATM, rather than your credit card. They’re typically a percentage point or so less than credit card fees. Again, check with your bank to see if it has “partnership” arrangements with European banks that save you from onerous usage fees. Also check to see which countries may reject your debit cards – some countries, like the UK, are known for limiting or denying debit card use (it’s a potential fraud issue in the UK). A bonus tip: bring two different debit cards in case one gets swallowed by a Slovakian bank ATM. Arrange the extra card with your bank before your trip.

Bring a Capital One Card – Capital One (Stock Quote: COF) doesn’t charge a fee for international transactions, as opposed to Via (Stock Quote: V) or MasterCard: Stock Quote: MA), which charge a 1% fee for overseas transactions.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks – Currency exchange kiosks are ubiquitous overseas, particularly in Europe. Such kiosks exchange U.S. dollars for the local currency, but at a much higher rate – approximately 3% above the current inter-bank rate - than you’d get by using an ATM. Plus, your card carrier may also add its 1%- or 2% fee for the currency switch.

The short story? Use an ATM machine as soon as you hit your country of destination. You’ll get hit with the various bank and conversion fees, so take as much cash as you’re allowed, thus mitigating repeat bank ATM fees. Another tip: bring a few hundred in U.S. dollars. It’s an insurance policy against not having your bank ATM card work in a given country.

— For more ways to save, spend, invest and borrow, visit MainStreet.com.