The 5 Best Currency Exchange Options For Travellers

By Barry Choi

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

You’ve booked your flights, your itinerary is set and now all you need is some local money. Getting foreign currency is easy but choosing the right method could save you a ton of cash.

Here are the best currency exchange options for travellers:

1. Using ATMs

Using ATMs is the best currency exchange option to get cash at the lowest rate. ATMs are everywhere and the best part is they only charge the spot rate of the day plus 2.5%.

Your home bank might charge you an additional $2-5 for using a foreign ATM but this fee can sometimes be waived, depending on your account status. Don’t forget to call your bank and let them know you’ll be travelling;  otherwise they may block your card on suspicion of fraud. If the fee won’t be waived, just max out your daily withdrawal limit each time to avoid making excessive trips to the ATM.

To find out which foreign ATMs are affiliated with your bank, check the back of your debit card and look for the PLUS (VISA) or Cirrus (MasterCard) symbols. When you’re overseas, search for ATMs with the matching networks and you should be fine. Both VISA and MasterCard have ATM locators so you can find the right ATM before you even take off.

Not only is using ATMs the cheapest way to get money, it’s also the safest way since you’ll never be carrying large amounts of cash. Note that internationally, 4-digit pins are the standard for ATM cards so change yours before you depart if it differs.

2. Credit cards

Credit cards are a must these days since you’ll need them to book a hotel room or make large purchases. Credit-card providers charge slightly more than ATMs by adding 2.5-3% on top of the spot rate whenever you make a purchase in a foreign currency.

You can avoid this fee altogether by picking up a foreign exchange free credit card. It works exactly the way it sounds; you won’t be charged any additional fees when you make a purchase in a foreign currency. It’s worth signing up for one of these cards even if you use it just when travelling. The Amazon.ca Rewards Visa from Chase is a popular choice for Canadians.

If you have a travel rewards credit card you get extra benefits that can save you a lot of money and grief. Most of these cards include travel medical insurance, lost/delayed baggage insurance, and trip cancellation/interruption as a standard benefit. With any insurance policy, read the fine print to find out exactly what you’re covered for.

Similar to your ATM card, call your credit card provider to let them know about your travel plans to avoid any service interruptions. Note that internationally, 4-digit pins are the standard.

3. Foreign exchange offices

Foreign exchange offices are located in popular tourist areas and airports. They offer better rates than the bank and in some countries their exchange rates are very competitive, but you need consider any additional fees that they might charge. They’re also convenient if you’re trying to get rid excess currency from a country you just left.

If you’re looking to exchange money before you depart, foreign exchange offices can offer good value as long as you do your research. Look for an exchange office where thee spread is less than 2.5% and they charge no fees. The spread is different for every currency so just because it’s a fair rate for one currency, doesn’t mean it’s the same for another.

4. Using a bank

Getting foreign currency at your home bank is usually the first place you think of, but it’s a huge rip-off since they can easily charge upwards of 10% on the spread. Considering spending is a big part of any trip, that’s a pretty big premium you’re paying. Of course you don’t want to show up in a new country without any local money so exchanging enough for a cab ride to your hotel is still a must.

That said, if you’re changing money to a neighboring country’s currency (e.g. US dollars to Canadian dollars or Sterling to Euros) the bank spread is usually fair.

5. Traveller’s Cheques

I’m not sure why traveller’s cheques are still billed as a convenient and safe way to carry funds for travel; they really aren’t widely accepted anymore. You pay a commission on the cheques on top of the spread when you cash them in, so you’re effectively paying a fee twice. They can give you peace of mind but there are better options available these days.

Related: Save money on your next trip with Airbnb

Final word

Generally speaking this list presents the best currency exchange options, however your individual experience may differ. It’s impossible to predict what will happen when travelling; bank machines might act up, or your local exchange office could be more expensive. Do your due diligence and pick the method that works best for you.

Barry Choi is a personal finance and budget travel expert at Moneywehave.com, which is where this piece first appeared. It appears on the Hub with the permission of the writer. You can follow Barry on Twitter: @barrychoi