Foreign exchange rates for travellers: top tips and advice (2024)

FAQs

Foreign exchange rates for travellers: top tips and advice? ›

Best: Use a debit card at an ATM

“Once you're abroad, you'll get a much more favorable rate using your bank's ATM rather than at an airport exchange kiosk,” says Jim Edrington, chief member engagement officer of the American Bankers Association.

Best: Use a debit card at an ATM

“Once you're abroad, you'll get a much more favorable rate using your bank's ATM rather than at an airport exchange kiosk,” says Jim Edrington, chief member engagement officer of the American Bankers Association.

One way to avoid ATM or transaction fees is to pay for a trip in cash. Travelers can exchange U.S. dollars for most major currencies at a bank, credit union or currency exchange store before a big trip. This may be a good idea if it's easy to budget how much will be spent on dining or souvenir purchases.

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.

Buy currency before you travel.

Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

It is cheaper to exchange money at the bank (or by using an ATM) than the airport. That's because currency exchange stores and kiosks at the airports mark up the exchange rate to make a profit. They know that travelers who just got off a plane probably need money right away.

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.

If you use a US credit card in France, Italy, Spain, or another European country, you may be wondering whether to pay in euros or dollars on an American credit card. The short answer is: Always pay in the local currency (Euros), which allows your bank to set the exchange rate, and it will always be a better option.

Credit cards typically provide better exchange rates than what you'll get from ATM machines and currency stands. Depending on your card issuer, your purchases might automatically qualify for insurance.

One of the largest and most popular places to buy travel money in the US is Currency Exchange International (CXI). You can order over 90 currencies online, including Euros. CXI also has around 30 branches in major cities across the US⁴.

What is the best day to exchange currency? ›

All in all, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days for Forex trading due to higher volatility. During the middle of the week, the currency market sees the most trading action. As for the rest of the week, Mondays are static, and Fridays can be unpredictable.

Your bank's ATM network is likely the best option. You may be able to withdraw cash in the local currency with competitive exchange rates and low fees (1% to 3%). Use your institution's app to find an ATM near you. Try to withdraw larger amounts if your bank charges ATM fees.

Exchange money at your destination

Unless you enjoy spending your vacation at financial institutions, you're better off either exchanging before you go, or hitting an ATM on the ground. Because just like the airport kiosk and the ATM, these currency houses charge fees.

Advantages of an overseas card

The main advantage of using a debit or credit card overseas is that you won't pay foreign transaction fees every time you spend. While many also won't charge fees for cash withdrawals, you will still usually be charged interest from the date of the transaction if you use a credit card.

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.

In almost every case, euros you can get abroad from an ATM will be cheaper than those you can get back in the States. When buying in advance, get just enough to give you a comfortable cushion and get you through a day's worth of emergency expenses.

A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling. As with all things, research is your friend here. Understand where you're travelling and what the local customs regarding cash are.

European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.

Is it a good time to buy euros with dollars? ›

Is this a good time to exchange dollars for euros? This answer depends on your timeframe. The US dollar has gained value against the Euro throughout 2021, making now a good time to exchange dollars for euros.

Banks, credit unions, online bureaus, and currency converters provide convenient and often inexpensive currency exchange services. Once on foreign soil, the best means to convert currency is to use a foreign automated teller machine (ATM) or identify whether your bank has ATMs or banking affiliates nearby.

The cost of a trip to Italy for a week will vary depending on your travel style and preferences. A budget traveler can expect to spend around 800-1000 euros, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around 1500-2000 euros. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of 3000 euros.

Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe. Check your cards' expiration dates.

Use a travel credit card instead

Where possible, like in big cities in developed countries, use a travel credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. That way, you can skip ATM fees altogether.

Research shows that in most cases you can save by opting to spend in the local currency. For example, that would mean choosing euros in Spain or dollars in the US. When you choose to pay in the currency of the region or country you're visiting, Visa or Mastercard will set the exchange rate.

A foreign transaction fee is an extra charge from your credit card issuer that equals a percentage of every transaction you make abroad. Credit cards with foreign transaction fees typically charge an extra 3% to 5% for every foreign purchase.

Those who want to obtain Euros ahead of time have no shortage of options. While banks usually offer the best and cheapest exchanges, plenty of foreign currency exchanges and travel money cards are also worth consideration.

No. The first thing to know is that when visiting Rome, bringing a lot of money with you is a very bad idea. By buying euros in advance, you will get ripped off on the exchange rate in your home country. By buying a lot of euros in advance, you will get ripped off exponentially.

You can order foreign currency cash online, using the mobile app, in person or by phone and have currency delivered within 2-7 business days. Online.

What day is the cheapest to buy euros? ›

Monday is therefore the best time to sell dollars and buy euros with a 2-3% lower total exchange rate. On the flip-side, Wednesday and Friday are the best days to sell euros and buy dollars.

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.

Paying with a debit card

Debit cards aren't used widely in corporate travel because the charges go directly to the cardholder's bank account and don't offer payment terms. Travelers electing to use debit card funds should note paying with the card is typically cheaper than withdrawing money from it.

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.

Key Takeaways. A strong dollar is good for some and not so good for others. A strengthening dollar means U.S. consumers benefit from cheaper imports and less expensive foreign travel.

The short answer is: Always pay in the local currency (Euros), which allows your bank to set the exchange rate, and it will always be a better option. If you choose to pay in dollars, you get the worst exchange rate from the merchant.

So let's get this out the way: You should always opt to pay in local currency, and not accept the card machine or ATM's prompt to convert it for you. The reason is that the exchange rate a card terminal will give you is a worse deal than the one your bank would automatically give you.

The best US dollar exchange rate right now is 1.2604 from Currency Online Group.

Should You Use Cash or Credit When Traveling to Europe? Most international travelers will end up using a combination of cash and cards when visiting Europe. While credit cards are accepted in most situations, currency can be more convenient for public transportation and small vendors.

Is it better to use a debit or credit card internationally? ›

Yes, using a credit card internationally is the best way to go about paying for things when you're abroad. It's safer because you don't have to carry as much cash, and all major credit card companies offer $0 fraud liability guarantees.

While you'll always need some cash, using a credit card for your spending needs can significantly simplify overseas travel. You won't really have to deal with converting currency and, armed with the right credit card, you won't pay unnecessary foreign transaction fees.

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.

While some merchants in Europe may accept US Dollars, it is not widely accepted and you may receive a poor exchange rate. It's recommended to use Euros when in Europe.

Credit and debit cards are some of the easiest ways to pay for goods and services while traveling internationally. You can avoid carrying large amounts of cash, benefit from your card's automatic currency conversion, and withdraw cash from ATMs as needed.

Foreign transaction fees can add up fast when using your debit card abroad. The fees are often 1% to 3% of the amount of a purchase, and many banks also apply the fee to ATM withdrawals.

Banks and credit unions are generally the best places to exchange currency, with reasonable exchange rates and the lowest fees. Here's how financial institutions — and a few other places — can help travelers exchange currency.

As of April 2023, the most stable currency globally is the Swiss franc, thanks to the strong economy of Switzerland and its stable political environment.

1. Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) The Kuwaiti dinar is the strongest currency in the world with 1 Kuwaiti dinar buying 3.26 US dollars (or, put another way, US$1 equals 0.31 Kuwaiti dinars).