Best place to get Euros...?

SideWinder · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:01

Post Office?
Random high street currency place?

What sort of rate should i be aiming for?

Heading to 'Dam on Friday and i want to be prepared...unless airports offer a good rate?

TommyV · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:03

I've found in the past marks and sparks are usually quite competitive.

tom_e · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:03

Avoid airports they will rob you blind, check out money saving expert they have a comparison tool.

div0 · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:05

Clarity Credit Card. Withdraw cash when you get there.

/edit - just saw that you leave on Friday. Oh Well.

robgmun · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:05

Euroland i always found

yer_averagejoe · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:17

tom_e said:
Avoid airports they will rob you blind, check out money saving expert they have a comparison tool.

Unless you order online first - Travelex are offering one of the best rates at the moment.

OP - use this tool to find the best collection rates. Pay in cash as buying currency with debit or credit cards often counts as a foreign transaction and you usually have to pay for that (most cards are around the 2.75% mark)

feck199 · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:21

yer_averagejoe said:
Unless you order online first - Travelex are offering one of the best rates at the moment.

OP - use this tool to find the best collection rates. Pay in cash as buying currency with debit or credit cards often counts as a foreign transaction and you usually have to pay for that (most cards are around the 2.75% mark)

Most cards, but not the clarity card as pointed out. Although it is too late to get one now!

sunny007 · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:36

What about ICE, International Currency Exchange,

if you can get to the pick up points, print of there voucher and you'll get the website rate.

Euro Notes 1.1600

waterloo branch
https://www.iceplc.com/travel-money/branch-collection/waterloo.html

Cosimo · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:36

Last time I mentioned euros in my bank they told me to try the small exchange place across the road.

bledd · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:44

Ramsdens was the best I found on the high street, better than all the banks, post office and travel agents

http://www.ramsdensforcash.co.uk/#calc2

I did a few quotes for £1000 to US dollars before settling on using them.

Use www.xe.com to find the live rate

Russinating · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:45

SideWinder said:
Heading to 'Dam on Friday and i want to be prepared...unless airports offer a good rate?

Have you ever flown before?

div0 said:
Clarity Credit Card. Withdraw cash when you get there.

The Clarity card charges interest daily on cash withdrawals so not the best option.

Craig321 · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:48

Use this site: http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/. It'll show you the cheapest place.

If you're tempted to use the Post Office for convenience then make sure you check your local in-store exchange rate beforehand. In-store rates are different to their online rates.

Russinating said:
The Clarity card charges interest daily on cash withdrawals so not the best option.

Yes, but the Halifax Clarity exchange rates are "perfect" so in the end, especially if you pay it back immediately, it'll be cheap.

SideWinder said:
What sort of rate should i be aiming for?

As close to what it says on xe.com as you can.

SideWinder · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:48

Also, using this website as an example...

http://www.money.co.uk/travel-money/euro-exchange.htm

I am assuming i need the 'highest' Euro rate i can find. So the top one has 1.150 which is good...?

The Geezer · 31 Jan 2013 at 10:51

another vote for M&S

yhack · 31 Jan 2013 at 11:06

I've heard good things about M&S.

sunny007 · 31 Jan 2013 at 11:18

M&S got poor rates

OCem · 31 Jan 2013 at 11:21

I wouldnt steer clear off changing money at the airport as their commision rates are sky high. This includes any pleace that offers exchange rate that is located so close to transport, as they know they can charge what they like as you obviously have forgotten to do it and have no choice but to do it last minute.

After years of looking around I have found that mostly the local post offices offer the best deals, dont hurt to have a little look around prior tho.

div0 · 31 Jan 2013 at 11:36

Russinating said:
The Clarity card charges interest daily on cash withdrawals so not the best option.

Craig321 said:
Yes, but the Halifax Clarity exchange rates are "perfect" so in the end, especially if you pay it back immediately, it'll be cheap.

This.

I think the Clarity Card works out at approx 1-2% interest per month (max) on cash withdrawals. So if you withdraw £100 on day 1, and your direct debit pays it off at the end of the month, then you'll pay £1 or £2.

This is nothing when you consider that the exchange rate on the Clarity Card, is the best you can get. Although in this instance, it's a moot point, as the OP doesn't have time to apply for a new credit card.

[TW]Fox · 31 Jan 2013 at 12:13

simulatorman said:
Last time I mentioned euros in my bank they told me to try the small exchange place across the road.

How useful - there we go, go to the 'small exchange place' across the road from 'simulatormans bank'. Should be easy to find

Russinating said:
The Clarity card charges interest daily on cash withdrawals so not the best option.

The charge is trivial compared to the exchange rate loading and/or commission and/or fees charged by almost every other option.

Jez · 31 Jan 2013 at 12:15

If you have a MetroBank branch near you then you can instantly open an account with them, they print the debit card in store.

The debit card has 0% loading, and interbank rate. It is the cheapest way to get forex abroad as you do not even suffer cash advance interest.

I still use my Clarity card as i have not had a chance to get to a MetroBank branch with the correct ID yet, but if you dont already have a clarity then it is the best option.