Buying euros to go abroad - AIBU to ask for your advice?

[PamplemousseRouge]

Hi everyone,

First of all, I apologise that this isn't really an AIBU! I'm posting here for traffic, I hope you don't mind!

I'm going abroad in a couple of days, and need to buy euros before I go. I've been looking to find the best exchange rates for buying euros, but I'm still finding it hard to know how to get the best value exchange.

Would you know where the best places might be to buy euros please (ideally around central London if possible?) :)

Thank you so much! :)

I always order online and get the euros delivered to home.

Either Travelex or Sainsburys.

Google is your friend.

www.compareholidaymoney.com/

Check out the money saving expert website and follow their advice.

We always buy at Ramsdens --pawn shop it always has the best rates

M&S were really good.

Use ATM in the airport at the other end, using a debit card (shop around for the best one as charges vary) or for the best value, a pre loaded currency card such as Fairfx which has good rates and no fees.

I go abroad all the time and have never got euros beforehand. Much easier to get once there, and always hang on to forty or so ready for the next trip.

If you don't want to carry around lots of cash you can get a Euro prepaid cash card. I find these the easiest. Again shop around for who has the best rate. I

I use M&S, their rates are usu pretty good. I've been checking a lot recently and it always seems to be around €1.12 for £1.00

I print out a voucher from the website and go to ICE plc. They are giving around 1.168 euros at the mo with no commission. But make sure you have the voucher or you will get a lot less....

carefreeeee Use ATM in the airport at the other end, using a debit card (shop around for the best one as charges vary) or for the best value, a pre loaded currency card such as Fairfx which has good rates and no fees.

I go abroad all the time and have never got euros beforehand. Much easier to get once there, and always hang on to forty or so ready for the next trip.

This. I use my Halifax Clarity card for all ATMN and card purchases overseas. Don't think I have ever bothered changing money here since the Euro has been in circulation! I have also bought/sold excess Euros to/from friends and colleagues as well.

money saving expert have a calculator for the cheapest online and local sites. I have a hal;ifax credit card with really low exchange rates ( recommended by MSE)

At the very least buy online and pick up instore like click and collect...you will get a better rate than just walking through the door.

Have you ever heard of google?
"best currency rates GBP EUR"

It's probably too late for you now, but with Monzo bank you can use your card abroad without any fees, so could just use your card, get the best exchange rate or use your card in a machine and just withdraw € and they wouldn't charge you.

monzo.com/blog/2016/07/06/how-to-travel-with-mondo/

The MSE travel money checker will point you to tiny little places in Central London that are way cheaper than the big names. Book the money in advance to get a slightly better rate (on the day is fine) and pay in cash when you get there because if you pay up front your money isn't safe.

travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com

When I last needed some euro's (not a huge amount) the most convenient and cost effective way for me was to order it and pick up from my nearest ASDA (I shop there all the time so didn't need to make a special trip etc).

There was probably a slightly cheaper way of doing it, but the saving would have been so minuscule as to be not worth it.

That is true c3pu. If you are only buying 100 quids worth of euro notes for a weekend break and you're in a small town then the difference between the best possible rate and the rate at M&S or the Post Office or wherever else you happen to be passing is unlikely enough to pay for a bus fare to go to the other side of town to get the better deal.

However if you're in Central London anyway then it's the work of a moment to prebook your cash at a cheap bureau and there will probably be one within five minutes walk of your office - it might only save me a couple of quid but it's literally free money for zero extra effort - it actually saves me a few steps because the bureaux are right on the street and rarely have queues whilst M&S's exchange department is at the back of a stop and will keep me waiting for five minutes.

don't forget to tell your bank where you are going so your cards will still work.

and if offered a choice on a card machine to pay in sterling, don't do it. Exchange rate will be a ripoff.

Thank you so much, everyone!! :)

I really appreciate your help and advice (and also want to say sorry for it being such a boring AIBU!! )

I think I'll go with M&S, as it seems to have a fairly good exchange rate.

Thanks again!

If you're in central London you can do a lot better than M&S - use the money saving expert comparison and you should get over 1.15 to a pound, couple of good places in Victoria. I use Thomson fx.

I go to Covent Garden fx or ace-fx (in London Bridge or canary wharf)

Google!!
We found Sainsburys, Tesco etc to be about the cheapest - not much between them. We always used to just get out at the airport after we got there but only recently realised that it costs about £20 more that way for the amount we were getting!

Thomas exchange global on victoria street always had the best rates I could find. Equally I often pre order with moneycorp if flying out of gatwick, for example

Never, ever use any currency exchanges at airports they have the worst rates and fees they know well anyone leaving it this late is not going to haggle about rates.
Banks also charge a spread of about 10% on the live rate.
Best options, a credit/debit card that charges no fees and offers the live FX rate. For example, Revolut is a app linked to a debit Master card you fund through your debit/credit cards you can exchange into any currency at the live rate with no fees for anyone traveling lots its a brilliant offer.

Id use a small Exchange ,you'll find plenty in Central London offering Euros at far better rates look at the live rate and be willing to pay say 2/3 p above the FX rate.

OP, do you not have a debit card that allows free currency conversion or a credit card that offers the live rate with no conversion fees( Usually 2%) depending on how much you're looking to exchange it may well be better to use your credit/debit card.