Should I order foreign currency from my bank?
Ordering currency from your bank before you travel is almost always better than using the airport currency exchange. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.
Head to your bank or credit union before you leave to avoid paying ATM transaction costs. You may even receive a better exchange rate. Credit unions and banks will exchange your dollars into a foreign currency before and after your trip when you have a checking or savings account with them.
Banks and credit unions are generally the best places to exchange currency, with reasonable exchange rates and the lowest fees.
Because of high currency exchange fees, you should exchange currency before traveling and know where to go to save on the fees once you are abroad. Read the tips below so you can exchange your money at the best rates while saving money on your international trip.
- Stop by Your Local Bank.
- Visit an ATM.
- Consider Getting Traveler's Checks.
- Buy Currency at Your Foreign Bank Branch.
- Order Currency Online.
- Bottom Line.
- Tips for Money Management.
The best place to exchange money is a local ATM or a bank. Many foreign banks are happy to exchange your dollars for local currency for a better rate than you find elsewhere, or you can go to an ATM to skip the line.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
You can allocate your risk across the currencies of several countries, allowing you to profit from changing global macroeconomic conditions. Currencies are akin to commodities and stocks because they offer the potential for capital appreciation. If the value of your currencies rises against the dollar, you will profit.
With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.
The cheapest way to get foreign currency is by going directly to your bank or credit union and asking them to convert your money to the currency of your destination. Doing so with your bank means you are less likely to incur extra fees beyond the usual metamorphosing exchange rates.
Is it better to exchange money in US or Europe?
The exchange rate will be less than going to a bank or exchange service. If you purchase euros in the US, prior to traveling, you will pay the highest rates, sometimes as much as 3 or 4% in commission fees.
With TD, you can: Order 55+ foreign currencies online or in person at any TD Bank location and pick up within 2–3 business days. Exchange foreign currency for U.S. dollars when you return from your trip, or if you're a visitor to the U.S. No TD Bank account is necessary to exchange currency.
There's a lot that you can buy with a credit card in Europe, so bring at least one. But don't expect to get very far without a little cash, too—especially if you're a tourist. Transportation services, such as taxis and buses, often require local currency.
You get a poor rate of exchange whether you are using an exchange office or your bank before you leave. ATM rates tend to be as good as you are going to get. It's good to have a few euros in cash upon arrival for tips etc, just in case you can't get to an ATM right away.
For large amounts, especially if they are less common currencies, place an order at least a few days in advance to ensure you can pick up as much as you need. You'll probably be able to lock in the exchange rate then and there.
- America First Credit Union: Credit union members may visit select branches to exchange up to $5,000. ...
- Bank of America: Bank of America customers may exchange up to $10,000 online. ...
- Citi: You can call or visit a branch to exchange over 50 types of currency.
- Use airport kiosks prior to leaving the US.
- Buy traveler's checks or foreign currency cash from your bank or credit union.
- Choose an online exchange bureau.
- Buy currency on arrival at your hotel or in popular tourist areas.
Order directly from your financial institution. Financial institutions that have offices internationally will usually be able to provide you with a currency exchange before you even leave for your trip.
Exchange at a Financial Institution or AAA: Usually, banks and credit unions and your local AAA have more reasonable fees and exchange rates than companies that are solely dedicated to foreign currency exchange.
Using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and choosing to make purchases in local currency will nearly always save you money. Currency conversion apps can help you better understand pricing and identify hidden charges.
How much do banks charge for currency exchange?
Depending on your bank and what card you have in your wallet, your credit card or debit card might carry a foreign transaction fee of up to 3% on every purchase in other countries.
So for 2 weeks in Europe, a budget traveler may spend around 1,120 Euros. This could be lower if you budget to the extreme. Keep in mind, a work exchange cuts your accommodation costs down to 0, and your food, transport, and activity costs may be lower as well depending on what your host offers.
The cheapest way to buy euros in the US is usually online.
You'll have a couple of options, depending on what suits your needs: Choose a specialist provider which has multi-currency accounts to support international spending - like Wise or Revolut.
What is the cheapest way to get euros in the US? You'll need to compare exchange rates and fees for your bank with currency exchange services such as CXI. But a travel card such as the Wise international debit card can be a cheaper option, offering low fees and fairer, margin-free exchange rates.
As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.
