I am going to Scotland soon...Is it easier and cheaper to convert money in the US or UK? Does it matter?

Question

I was just wondering how difficult and expensive it would be to convert some more USD into GBP once I get to Scotland...I'm just wondering if I'll be losing more money than it's worth...Thanks!

Answer 1

It shouldn't really matter all that much one way or the other, unless of course you plan to spend lots and lots of cash when you are here.
However, what i can tell you is that in Scotland, although we do use credit cards, we don't use them nearly as much as the Americans do, so you will find that you will need cash for taxis, buses, trains and other incidentals.

Many places will not take card payments for anything less than £10 and you do need to remember your "pin" number which needs to be entered on the electronic machines everytime you use your cards here, we don't accept signatures anymore, it's all "chip and pin"

That said, if you are using your credit card here it is normally the cheapest way or you can also use our hole in the wall cash machines.

Either way, I can promise you that Scotland is trully a wonderful place. Do try if you possibly can to get up into the highlands. Hire a car and explore to see some of the most amazing scenery anywhere in the world!
Please don't just stick to Edinburgh, it's just not friendly enough- get out and about and see other places. Glasgow is wonderful and Dundee & Aberdeen are great too.

All the very best! Have a wonderful Holiday, you will love it here!

Answer 2

Beth's advice is right on target and you should give her the points. It boils down to: use your credit card when you can because it does cost you less, but make sure you have access to cash because plastic is not as ubiquitous as it is here in the US. Since you don't want to be carrying lots of cash around, having a credit card to access ATMs is a really good idea.

Beth is also right that you are going to love it there. Fantastically beautiful country and great people. I'm jealous...but have a winderful trip and be a good ambassador for all us Yanks, OK? :)

Answer 3

That sounds like a classic cost for changing funds. you fairly > won't < do extra effectual in case you wait till after arrival in the united kingdom, fantastically on the airport. waiting additionally potential the 1st element you will could desire to do is hunt for a forex replace once you're jet-lagged. Get the money in 10 and 20 Pound notes - do no longer enable the financial institution grant you with 2 a hundred Pound notes (plus 2 20 Pound notes) in replace for $4 hundred. Having some income interior sight forex on arrival is a robust theory. terrific is to depart the the remainder of your funds on your account and use ATMs in the united kingdom to withdraw it as necessary. purely use ATMs linked with a genuine financial institution (everywhere in the international). the type in lodge lobbies, eating places, and shops have a tendency to value very extreme service expenses. Use credit enjoying cards and debit enjoying cards in the united kingdom each time obtainable extremely than funds. enjoying cards consistently grant you with the terrific replace fee and employing them for purchases removes the service value subject. you need to use enjoying cards for many purchases in the united kingdom, which contain some taxis. call your financial institution and ask in the event that they have "companion" establishments in Europe so so you might use ATMs for a discounted service cost. additionally enable them to be attentive to you intend to apply the cardboard(s) in Europe so which you at the instant are not hit via an computerized safety carry the 1st time you attempt to apply it/them (befell to me). desire you have a super holiday!