I am going to London in October and I live in the US. Where can I find a place/bank to convert my money into British money before I leave the US?
2006-08-25 05:25:50 · 9 answers · asked by Yikes! 5 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ London
The easiest way to get Pounds (GBP) is when you arrive; there are plenty of money exchange places at the airport and you can do the deed while you are waiting for your bags to arrive on the carousel. The other advantage is that you will get some coins. If you change in the USA you will get just notes (bills) and the smallest GBP note is 5GBP = 9.50 USD
While in the UK you can change USD almost anywhere --at any Bank and most Post Offices operate bureaux de change.
Also you can use your ATM card to get GBP again almost anywhere.
And despite what someone else says, you need GBP not Euros in the UK.
2006-08-26 05:31:32 · answer #1 · answered by Pontac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please ignore the answer that told you that you don't need pounds and that you need euros. We still use the pound and you can convert at the airport before you leave, or the airport when you get here. There are also loads of places around London and the UK, so that won't be a problem. Also you can draw directly out of your bank accound from the US if you have have a MAC card, of course there will be a fee for that. Hope this has been helpful. Enjoy your trip!
2006-08-27 14:47:24 · answer #2 · answered by snowfoxx71 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You WILL need pounds, NOT Euros...I just came back from London and Euros are not generally accepted. You can go to any currency exchange or American Express. But what I wound up doing was using my debit card for everything. My bank doesn't charge a service fee and I was just charged a small 1% processing fee for using my card and didn't have to deal with the exchange rate. Also, DON'T use a credit card for advances or anything...my professor said he made the mistake one year of using his, and he got hit with enormous charges.
2006-08-28 18:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's better to change your money before you get to the airport, as their exchange rate is not always the best.
All major credit cards are widely used, and contrary to emusic255s advice, if you're visiting Britain bring Pounds sterling. The Euro is used in most of Europe and Ireland, but we use the Bristish pound!
2006-08-25 14:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by mellten 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most major airports have a currency exchange center. I would suggest going to a bank like wells fargo. They charge $5 plus the currency exchange rate. Typically it's much cheaper than changing your money at the airport.
2006-08-25 12:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by faroo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to the person who said you need euros. trust me, I have been living in UK since I was born and i have never seen a single place in UK that accepts any other currency than british pounds sterling (except for airports, they do take euros)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any bank, airport or post office in UK will change your money and I assume it will be the same in the US. have a good time!
2006-08-25 16:22:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dont bother converting too much cash, just take your US credit cards with you, preferably Visa!
2006-08-25 12:54:37 · answer #7 · answered by Latin Techie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can convert at any bank. why dont you just do it there at the airport?
dont trip out about it.
2006-08-25 12:31:30 · answer #8 · answered by ManFromMumbai 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well you wont need pounds, you wil need euros. if you ask a federal bank for an exchange,and give them money, they will have your other currency there for you later.
2006-08-25 12:31:33 · answer #9 · answered by Esmith 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋