Cheaper to change GBP to Euros in the UK or abroad

zagfles

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

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.

What makes you sure about that? He might believe all the "commission free" bull and see that his debit card charges 3%. He might actually think changing cash is the cheapest option. Lots of people do.

And it is annoying when you've asked a specific question and people tell you your decision is wrong or outdated.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

So give the OP some advice then, instead of whinging about everyone else's

I'm not going to apologise for giving the OP a much better way of achieving what he needs. He is free to ignore if he wants to live in the past...

CharlieRabbit01

zagfles wrote: »

What makes you sure about that? He might believe all the "commission free" bull and see that his debit card charges 3%. He might actually think changing cash is the cheapest option. Lots of people do.

So give the OP some advice then, instead of whinging about everyone else's

I'm not going to apologise for giving the OP a much better way of achieving what he needs. He is free to ignore if he wants to live in the past...

If you read my previous posts I have given the OP advice based on my own experience.

zagfles

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

If you read my previous posts I have given the OP advice based on my own experience.

Where have you answered the OPs "specific question"? He wants to know whether it's better to change cash here or in Germany, I can't see where you've answered that. Yet you whinge about others not answering the "specific question".

People telling him he's better off with a card is likely more useful advice than telling him Greece has marginally better rates, even though neither answers the specific question.

Johnny_Barnes10

Going to Amsterdam this weekend, only taking around £200 - will I be better off cashing my cash here or over there?

Ps - won't be looking to have a pre pay card etc.

benjus

Johnny_Barnes10 wrote: »

Going to Amsterdam this weekend, only taking around £200 - will I be better off cashing my cash here or over there?

Ps - won't be looking to have a pre pay card etc.

Can't comment on the rates in Amsterdam, but €200 is worth £172.80 right now. The cheapest option on the Travel Money Maximiser is £177.87 for next day delivery, or £173.97 if you can collect from London. So the absolute maximum (and you won't achieve this much of a saving) you could possibly save by waiting until you get there would be £5.07 (compared with delivery) or £1.17 (compared with collection from London).


Decide for yourself if it's worth it...

Johnny_Barnes10

Thanks, will probably just change in Thomas Cook as per usual then.

benjus

Johnny_Barnes10 wrote: »

Thanks, will probably just change in Thomas Cook as per usual then.

I was comparing the spot rate with the best rates from the Travel Money Maximiser... Thomas Cook probably can't match these rates so you will probably end up paying more than I listed above. However, for €200 it's not going to be a fortune... I'd be surprised if you paid more than £10 over the spot rate.

Doshwaster

Johnny_Barnes10 wrote: »

Going to Amsterdam this weekend, only taking around £200 - will I be better off cashing my cash here or over there?

Ps - won't be looking to have a pre pay card etc.

£200 isn't going to last you very long in Amsterdam.

Whichever way you choose on that small an amount there isn't going to be much between the options, so choose what is easiest.

Manchee

Doshwaster wrote: »

£200 isn't going to last you very long in Amsterdam.

The OP is going for the weekend, you really think 100 quid a day isn't going to last very long??

1trainer1

Thanks everyone for all the comments and apologies for opening a big can of worms

Just to let everyone know, I prefer to take cash rather than use cards abroad as it is better for us budgeting and convenience.

I have used cards for longer trips but for the short trips like this cash is King for me...

Also a bit about us we travel abroad 3-4 times a year, two long haul, one short haul and a cruise.

Short Haul is cash for convenience others are a bit of cash before we go and then card, Cruise is card all the way