cheapest place to buy Euros?

longwalks1

need some euros for Thursday, our travel agent has offered us some for commision free, but been told post office is cheaper still, wheres usually the best place to get the best deal from please?

peachyprice

Have you checked here
http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/holiday-money/

zagfles

What bank cards have you got? It's likely to be cheaper getting money out on a debit card (or maybe even credit card) when you get there.

benjus

britishboy wrote: »

need some euros for Thursday, our travel agent has offered us some for commision free, but been told post office is cheaper still, wheres usually the best place to get the best deal from please?

Don't get sucked in by all the "commission free" nonsense - that phrase means precisely nothing when they can set the exchange rate to pretty much anything they like.

The Post Office's walk-in rates are usually pretty bad (about 6% margin), although you can get acceptable rates (about 2.5% margin) by ordering online in advance. Using an average debit card abroad will work out equivalent to about 3% margin, so not much worse.

As the previous posters have suggested, investigate the best cash rates available and compare with the charges on your debit card.

Neil49

Some of the small currency exchange kiosks you see in shopping centres can offer a reasonable rate so don't ignore them out of hand.

I was walking past a post office at the weekend and spotted the euro rate in the window - I couldn't believe how bad it was!

Also have a look in your local Tesco etc as a comparison.

Usually the rate you get abroad is better but it depends on what your bank card charges are.

Next time start looking for rates earlier on rather than leave it to the last minute. Whatever you do, don't walk up to a foreign exchange kiosk at the airport and buy from them!

zagfles

Neil49 wrote: »

Some of the small currency exchange kiosks you see in shopping centres can offer a reasonable rate so don't ignore them out of hand.

I was walking past a post office at the weekend and spotted the euro rate in the window - I couldn't believe how bad it was!

Also have a look in your local Tesco etc as a comparison.

Usually the rate you get abroad is better but it depends on what your bank card charges are.

Next time start looking for rates earlier on rather than leave it to the last minute. Whatever you do, don't walk up to a foreign exchange kiosk at the airport and buy from them!

Yes the UK airport rates are unbelievably bad - 1.03 a couple of weeks ago!! That was both Euro ATMs and exchange desks.

For next time the OP should look at getting a good value card eg Clarity, Metrobank etc. Then no need to waste time shopping around for rates before going.

longwalks1

Thanks all, i looked at that link in the 2nd reply and ordered from Post Office online, over £400 spend and free next day delivery to my door so saves the 4 mile drive and pay to park too, so pretty pleased :beer:

Cheers everyone