Cheaper to change GBP to Euros in the UK or abroad

1trainer1

Just wondering as I am going Germany next month for a week and was wondering whether to change my money over in the UK or take pounds with me and change the money abroad

I normally get a better rate abroad when I go Long Haul but have never really travelled in Europe so unsure on which would be best

pompeyrich

No expert but you did seem to be able to get a slightly better rate in resorts abroad, however my experience has been at the more traditional large seaside resorts of Spain, where there were many tourists and many outlets offering to change money, so competition may have driven the rate upwards.


Germany could be a different story altogether, I have only been to fairly small Cities and haven't seen many, if any, exchanges so you would be reliant on banks which could well cherge commision etc. as well as having limited opening hours.

Probably best to pre book a rate over here for collection/delivery or just use a debit card in a cash machine to withdraw €s. Unless you are spending lots a couple of cents here and there won't make an awful difference.

zagfles

Changing cash is out of the ark. Get a decent fee-free card and withdraw cash locally. Even a card from a bank that charges for foreign transactions is likely to be better value than changing cash.

rolstherat

zagfles wrote: »

Changing cash is out of the ark. Get a decent fee-free card and withdraw cash locally. Even a card from a bank that charges for foreign transactions is likely to be better value than changing cash.

I find the Travelex cash card great, fee free loading and ATM withdrawals and a competitive fx rate, can get them at sainsburys or online

zagfles

rolstherat wrote: »

I find the Travelex cash card great, fee free loading and ATM withdrawals and a competitive fx rate, can get them at sainsburys or online

Not the best option, a Clarity or MetroBank card would be better, but much better than changing cash.

welshmoneylover

Where can I get a clarity card from?

jackieblack

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Where can I get a clarity card from?

http://www.halifax.co.uk/creditcards/low-rate-no-fee/clarity-card/

Doshwaster

I don't think I've physically changed cash in years. Plastic is the way to go. Your average High Street bank debit card will give a better rate than the exchange booth - and people who change their money at airports need their heads looking at.

RachVG

I can't understand why people consider changing cash to be outdated - I travel a lot and personally wouldn't go anywhere without taking my spends in cash. I'd much rather take the spending money I've saved up and be able to see how much I've spent/how much I've got left than have to keep track of what's been spent on a card. It's much easier to budget with cash.

zagfles

RachVG wrote: »

I can't understand why people consider changing cash to be outdated - I travel a lot and personally wouldn't go anywhere without taking my spends in cash. I'd much rather take the spending money I've saved up and be able to see how much I've spent/how much I've got left than have to keep track of what's been spent on a card. It's much easier to budget with cash.

I remember the days when I would spend half my lunch hour queuing the bank or post office to pay my bills, now they all get paid by DD, so much easier. Yet when going on holiday people seem stuck in the past and go back to queuing in the bank/post office...

I generally prefer cash too for most holiday spends, but I'll withdraw it locally, maybe 2-4 withdrawals on holiday, with just hotel bills on CC, easy to keep track of as long as you can do a bit of simple division. And more importantly - much cheaper than changing cash.

tripled

Fear of the unknown - you could get to the airport at your destination needing to get a taxi from the far-flung airstrip Ryanair has dumped you at, to find there are no working cashpoints. I'll usually try and get some cash (although not a lot), especially if it's the first time to a destination. I don't normally use the airport though.