Best place to buy Euros at moment

Slinky

zagfles said:

Slinky said:

zagfles said:

tightauldgit said:

Perhaps I should have said 'provided you've made the proper preparations of getting a card that won't sting you for fees' but I actually just looked at the rates and the gap isn't as big as I expected. I thought you lost about 10% buying currency but just googled the Post Office rate and it was about 3% less than the interbank rate so yes if you get a fee-paying ATM you might well be better off buying from the PO.

In the past I have used thecurrencyclub for foreign currency but generally only for more unusual stuff and always found their rates good and convenient to use.

Be careful of the online rates at the PO and other places, they often quote a rate for buying something like £500 worth, who needs to buy £500 worth of any currency these days. If you did need that sort of amount in cash sort yourself out a zero fee card and withdraw from an ATM abroad, even if the ATM charges it'll almost certainly be far better value.

We usually take £500 of euros when we visit a small greek island with only one ATM which can be cleared out by the island's daytrippers leaving nothing for when there is a 'card machine is broken' moment.

If the island is that small presume you don't fly directly there, so could withdraw cash from the airport/island/mainland you travel from rather than changing cash in the UK. Using a BDC in Greece is probably better value than the UK anyway (most places are).

Possibly. Something to consider for future.

NoodleDoodleMan

What is a BDC ?

I think I know - but need to be clear.

zagfles

NoodleDoodleMan said:

What is a BDC ?

I think I know - but need to be clear.

Sorry - Bureau De Change, ie a place where you can buy/sell foreign currency.

mebu60

Be aware that even in places such as The Netherlands UK credit and debit cards are routinely not accepted outside of main tourist areas. Albert Heijn supermarket doesn't accept them either. Jumbo does though.
The Dutch use Maestro which debits instantly. UK debit cards don't apparently. So still wise to have cash in NL though I believe it is changing and more will accept UK cards, including credit cards. 

zagfles

mebu60 said:

Be aware that even in places such as The Netherlands UK credit and debit cards are routinely not accepted outside of main tourist areas. Albert Heijn supermarket doesn't accept them either. Jumbo does though.
The Dutch use Maestro which debits instantly. UK debit cards don't apparently. So still wise to have cash in NL though I believe it is changing and more will accept UK cards, including credit cards. 

Yes last time I was there a lot of supermarkets were cash only, but that was before covid.

But ATMs were everywhere and free, and never had a problem using a UK card in them. Are they still free?

NoodleDoodleMan

zagfles said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

What is a BDC ?

I think I know - but need to be clear.

Sorry - Bureau De Change, ie a place where you can buy/sell foreign currency.

Thanks - I wondered if it meant British Debit Card !!!

A Homer Simpson moment !!!