where to exchange Euro? UK or France?

jadejie

well, I had a look online about the exchange rate, it seems better in france than in the uk? i was wondering if anyone had experience about changing the money in france? or maybe it's actually better in Uk?

Merci....:) (just trying to learn a bit franch:))

balsingh

2 options .... use ATMs in France so you know you are getting the best deal (preferable with a Nationwide Debit Card). Otherwise, prebook your money using https://www.travelex.co.uk to get the best deal and pick it up at the airport.

jadejie

thanks,balsingh.....I was thinking your second option but i am gonna travel by car and ferry....so not really near any airport....have you ever used american express branch before,are they any good?

jadejie

oh,also....if i use ATM in France,why do you think i'm getting the best deal?cheers.

dzug

Using a debit card in an ATM is best because the total charges (overt commission plus those buried in the exchange rate) will be less that the total charges exchanging cash.

This applies particularly to Nationwide where there are no charges, hidden or otherwise but even the worst card should come out slightly better than cash where there is normally something like a 5% exchange rate loading even on so-called commission free deals

jadejie

do all the cards using xe.com as the change rate? sorry i have no knowledge about the aborad stuff.thanks for all your help:)

ysabell

I use onlinefx for euros, delivered to the house. I looked at Travelex but they weren't competitive, especially as you had to rely on their collect system at the ferry terminal. The last trip over I used a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card, as previously mentioned. Excellent. In france I have also used a Barclays Connect Card at Brancehs of, I think, BVP Paribas. They have a reciprocal arrangement with Barclays and don't charge. The beauty of using a no-charge debit card is that you receive the Business exchange rate not the Tourist rate.
The exchage rate is much much better in the U.K. I have found that in France, Germany and Holland not all Banks will exchange U.K. cash for Euros. If you do have to change cash over there then use the local Post Offices.

ysabell

I use onlinefx for euros, delivered to the house. I looked at Travelex but they weren't competitive, especially as you had to rely on their collect system at the ferry terminal. The last trip over I used a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card, as previously mentioned by someone. Excellent. In france I have also used a Barclays Connect Card at Branches of, I think, BVP Paribas. They have a reciprocal arrangement with Barclays and don't charge. The beauty of using a no-charge debit card is that you receive the Business exchange rate not the Tourist rate.
The exchange rate is much much better in the U.K. Look at M & S Bureaux de Change if it's local.
I have found that in France, Germany and Holland not all Banks will exchange U.K. cash for Euros. If you do have to change cash over there then use the local Post Offices.

ysabell

I have used onlinefx for euros, delivered to the house. I looked at Travelex but they weren't competitive, especially as you had to rely on their collect system at the ferry terminal. The last trip over I used a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card, as previously mentioned by someone. Excellent. In france I have also used a Barclays Connect Card at Branches of, I think, BVP Paribas. They have a reciprocal arrangement with Barclays and don't charge. The beauty of using a no-charge debit card is that you receive the Business exchange rate not the Tourist rate.
The exchange rate is much much better in the U.K. Look at M & S Bureaux de Change if it's local.
I have found that in France, Germany and Holland not all Banks will exchange U.K. cash for Euros. If you do have to change cash over there then use the local Post Offices.

shown73

Well, ysabell, I think you've definitely made your point!

dag_2

do all the cards using xe.com as the change rate?

I don't understand this question - can you or someone else clarify - what's this xe.com thing?

My experience has been that using British bank account debit cards to draw cash out of the ATM is the cheapest - or better still, use debit card to pay for things while you're there if you can. Using a credit card is a bit more expensive, but still usually cheaper than trying to change cash before travelling.