Cheaper to change GBP to Euros in the UK or abroad

zagfles

tripled wrote: »

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.

I usually take some GBP, which I can change at the airport in an emergency, like if all the airport ATMs are down. Anyway taxis tend to take CC's these days, and if not you can get him to drive you to a cashpoint. Even public transport ticket machines usually take CC's.

But yes I can understand getting a little in foreign currency if you haven't got any at all, maybe enough to get from the airport to the city.

benjus

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I can't understand why people consider changing cash to be outdated - I travel a lot and personally wouldn't go anywhere without taking my spends in cash.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.

The point is that nowadays there are more convenient, and most importantly, cheaper ways to get foreign currency or spend while abroad. I've never been much of a fan of carrying large amounts of cash with me, anyway. And just because you find it easier to budget with cash, doesn't mean that's the case for everyone.

RachVG

No, true, that's a fair point. But my issue was mostly the attitude that seems to be spread across this forum that nobody should want to take cash on holiday - I do, many people do, and when the question is posed, as it was here "which is cheaper", then the answer "neither, take a card" is not particularly helpful.

Though obviously I understand this is MSE and money saving is key I just always read these threads and wonder why people don't tend to say "using XYZ cards is the cheapest way, but if you're set on changing your cash then the cheapest way to do that is this..." It always comes across as just "don't". Personally I usually order from Travelex during a happy hour sale and collect at the airport. Then I have the cash in my hand, I know what's what and there's no nasty surprises on any bills (be it from calculating a conversion wrong or withdrawing more than I'd thought) when I get home. It's a peace of mind thing for me.

zagfles

RachVG wrote: »

No, true, that's a fair point. But my issue was mostly the attitude that seems to be spread across this forum that nobody should want to take cash on holiday - I do, many people do, and when the question is posed, as it was here "which is cheaper", then the answer "neither, take a card" is not particularly helpful.

Though obviously I understand this is MSE and money saving is key I just always read these threads and wonder why people don't tend to say "using XYZ cards is the cheapest way, but if you're set on changing your cash then the cheapest way to do that is this..."

Probably because the people answering the questions don't know what the cheapest way to change cash is, because they don't do it! We're not paid advisors, we give advice based on our own experience. I have no experience of changing cash (other than tiny amounts where I haven't cared about the rate) for 20+ years, so I'm hardly going to advise on it. I do occasionally look at the buy/sell rates and think "what a rip-off" but that's about it.

It always comes across as just "don't". Personally I usually order from Travelex during a happy hour sale and collect at the airport. Then I have the cash in my hand, I know what's what and there's no nasty surprises on any bills (be it from calculating a conversion wrong or withdrawing more than I'd thought) when I get home. It's a peace of mind thing for me.

Carrying large quantities of cash around gives you peace of mind?? Even when you have to empty your pockets and put everything into a tray at airport security, often out of sight, while you're frisked, and hope some other passenger doesn't "accidently" take your stuff? Made me quite nervous when I last flew and I was only carrying a small amount of cash!

CharlieRabbit01

Hi

I can't really comment on Germany, but I am the same as you, I use cash whilst abroad, I can easily see what I've spent, how much I have left etc etc.

I went to Greece last year having exchanged my money at home before we went, I saw a few exchange places out there and the rate was marginally better than at home.

We're going to Portugal in a couple of months and we'll be changing it here before we go.

CharlieRabbit01

zagfles wrote: »

Carrying large quantities of cash around gives you peace of mind?? Even when you have to empty your pockets and put everything into a tray at airport security, often out of sight, while you're frisked, and hope some other passenger doesn't "accidently" take your stuff? Made me quite nervous when I last flew and I was only carrying a small amount of cash!

I've always travelled this way, and never felt unsafe, you don't actually get the money out to go through security just leave it in your bag.

I also find I'm stood on the other side waiting for my bag to come through so not much risk of it being knicked.

benjus

RachVG wrote: »

No, true, that's a fair point. But my issue was mostly the attitude that seems to be spread across this forum that nobody should want to take cash on holiday - I do, many people do, and when the question is posed, as it was here "which is cheaper", then the answer "neither, take a card" is not particularly helpful.

Though obviously I understand this is MSE and money saving is key I just always read these threads and wonder why people don't tend to say "using XYZ cards is the cheapest way, but if you're set on changing your cash then the cheapest way to do that is this..." It always comes across as just "don't". Personally I usually order from Travelex during a happy hour sale and collect at the airport. Then I have the cash in my hand, I know what's what and there's no nasty surprises on any bills (be it from calculating a conversion wrong or withdrawing more than I'd thought) when I get home. It's a peace of mind thing for me.

I think if someone asked "is it quicker to get from London to Birmingham via Edinburgh or via Glasgow?" I'd probably want to suggest that they might not need to go to Scotland at all...

Lots of people that take cash abroad do it either because it's what they've always done, or because they have become convinced (by things like the Post Office advertising campaigns) that using cards abroad is extortionately expensive. We do our best to advise people to evaluate options they may not have considered before deciding what to do. It's a complex topic - a good cash exchange rate is better than a bad card rate, and there are some cases where cash is the best way (plus of course people who still prefer cash after evaluating all the options).

callum9999

Doshwaster wrote: »

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.

When looking for travel money (I always take enough in cash to make sure I can pay for a bus to my accommodation in the unlikely event of the ATMs at the airport not working/cards being blocked etc.) I invariably find that for small sums, pre-booking a rate to pick up from Travelex at the airport is the cheapest way of getting it.

EDIT: Though now I've checked, Travelex seem to put a £1.99 admin charge on it so it's no longer so cheap. Prebooking with Thomas Cook was always next best/equal for me though.

CharlieRabbit01

benjus wrote: »

I think if someone asked "is it quicker to get from London to Birmingham via Edinburgh or via Glasgow?" I'd probably want to suggest that they might not need to go to Scotland at all...

Lots of people that take cash abroad do it either because it's what they've always done, or because they have become convinced (by things like the Post Office advertising campaigns) that using cards abroad is extortionately expensive. We do our best to advise people to evaluate options they may not have considered before deciding what to do. It's a complex topic - a good cash exchange rate is better than a bad card rate, and there are some cases where cash is the best way (plus of course people who still prefer cash after evaluating all the options).

I'm sure the OP is/was aware that its cheaper/safer etc etc to use a card abroad but they like me prefer to take cash.

And it is annoying when you've asked a specific question and people tell you your decision is wrong or outdated.

The OP has made a choice and is looking for advice based on that choice.

zagfles

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

I've always travelled this way, and never felt unsafe, you don't actually get the money out to go through security just leave it in your bag.

I also find I'm stood on the other side waiting for my bag to come through so not much risk of it being knicked.

There's been loads of times where I've been delayed getting to my bags on the other side because the security guard is frisking me. That makes me feel unsafe. Not worrying about doing a simple bit of arithmetic. Or worrying that every single cashpoint in a city will be out of order and no banks will be open to get cash over the counter.