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| Currency | Exchange rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Euros | 1.19 | |
| US Dollars | 1.25 | |
| Australian Dollars | 1.97 | |
| Turkish Lira | 42.06 | |
| UAE Dirham | 4.54 |
Carrying around a large amount of cash isn't the safest thing to do. At the same time, not having enough cash can cause a lot headaches too. It's a good idea to take a little more than you think you'll need.
But it's also good sense to have a backup prepaid, debit or travel credit card that you can rely on - assuming you're going to a destination that widely accepts card transactions.
Not all currency exchange companies are created equal. Some may have good exchange rates, but higher fees. Others may have higher rates, but no fees. You have to make sure which one offers the best value to you.
This is why it’s worth comparing the deals on offer from several companies before ordering your travel money. Factor in the fees and the exchange rate and see where you end up better off. Often the amount of money you're exchanging can be a deciding factor.
Airport holiday money providers have notoriously high prices because they offer a last-chance solution for those who are just about to board a plane. By planning ahead you can save a small fortune.
Notes of large denominations can be tricky, as small shops and taxi cabs, which are more likely to require cash, might not have enough change to accept a large note.
Some retailers are also often wary of accepting large notes. Smaller notes and change can also be handy when it comes to tipping or buying small everyday items.
Avoid buying foreign currency with a credit card as credit card providers treat the transaction as a 'cash advance'. Not only will you be charged daily interest, you're also likely to be hit with a fee.
Carrying around a large amount of cash isn't the safest thing to do. At the same time, not having enough cash can cause a lot headaches too. It's a good idea to take a little more than you think you'll need.
But it's also good sense to have a backup prepaid, debit or travel credit card that you can rely on - assuming you're going to a destination that widely accepts card transactions.
Not all currency exchange companies are created equal. Some may have good exchange rates, but higher fees. Others may have higher rates, but no fees. You have to make sure which one offers the best value to you.
This is why it’s worth comparing the deals on offer from several companies before ordering your travel money. Factor in the fees and the exchange rate and see where you end up better off. Often the amount of money you're exchanging can be a deciding factor.
Airport holiday money providers have notoriously high prices because they offer a last-chance solution for those who are just about to board a plane. By planning ahead you can save a small fortune.
Notes of large denominations can be tricky, as small shops and taxi cabs, which are more likely to require cash, might not have enough change to accept a large note.
Some retailers are also often wary of accepting large notes. Smaller notes and change can also be handy when it comes to tipping or buying small everyday items.
Avoid buying foreign currency with a credit card as credit card providers treat the transaction as a 'cash advance'. Not only will you be charged daily interest, you're also likely to be hit with a fee.
How much travel money you need to take depends on your plans. You'll need to budget for your holiday to make sure you don't run out of money before the end.
Deciding how much money to take depends on were you're going, whether debit or credit card usage is prevalent, and if you want to have some local currency on hand for emergencies.
Having some cash is extremely important, as there's always a possibility your cards could get declined or blocked for some reason, and it may take some time to resolve the issue.
Also, some countries still rely predominantly on cash transactions, so you should factor that into how much cash you decide to take.
Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:
Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the American Express, Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer
Purchase protection – for purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up
However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.
Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:
Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Amex, Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges
No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply
The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.
Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:
Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers can charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage
Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance
However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.
Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:
Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the American Express, Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer
Purchase protection – for purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up
However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.
Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:
Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Amex, Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges
No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply
The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.
Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:
Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers can charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage
Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance
However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.
Yes and no. It depends on how you define it. Commission refers to the service fee that a currency exchange broker charges for exchanging your money.
Many companies advertise 0% commission to exchange money online or on the high street, but, instead of charging commission, they offer a less competitive exchange rate. This is why you need to compare the whole deal rather than just opting for a zero-fee travel money deal.
When you buy your currency online, it's normally sent via Royal Mail's Special Delivery service. This means you have to sign for the package. Cash orders that exceed £2,500 will be sent in batches because that's the maximum value that can be insured for each delivery.
Some travel money providers do offer next-day delivery. These brokers send out currency using Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service.
Our comparison shows which operators offer this option and how much they charge for it. With some companies, you also have the option to pre-order your travel money for collection in person from a local branch, meaning you don't have to pay for delivery.
If you've got leftover travel money from a trip abroad, you can use a buy-back service to convert it back into pounds.
The buy-back rate tells you how much sterling you'll get back.
Remember to factor in the rate and delivery costs, and compare exchange rates. You can check out the best euro-to-pound exchange rate by looking at our comparison table.
We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover how our website works.
We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here.
You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.
Below you can find a list of currencies to exchange
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