Where to buy euros at the best exchange rate
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
WITH European countries accepting visitors again, those brave enough to book a vacation will want to get the best exchange rate when purchasing Euros.
Here are some essential rules to remember when you're getting euros, and why you should always try to pay in the local currency when you're abroad.
What is the pound to euro exchange rate?
How many euros you get to your pound will depend on the exchange rate on international currency markets, known as the "spot" rate.
The pound to euro exchange rate, influenced by big investors like banks and hedge funds, determines how much each currency is worth in comparison to one another.
If a currency is strong, it means it's worth a lot compared to other currencies, which in turn means you get better value when buying foreign currency.
The reverse of this is a weak currency, which results in poor value exchanges when buying money to spend abroad.
Where is the best place to exchange pounds for euros?
When you buy currency, you won't be offered rates as favourable as the spot rate, which is reserved for big investors.
But how much bang you get for your buck will still be influenced largely by the underlying value of each currency.
Foreign exchange companies set their own rates, and often include a commission when they sell you foreign currency.
Because different sellers set different rates, and because they skim different levels of commission off the top, your value for money can vary wildly between euro sellers.
To cut through the nonsense and get a true comparison, ask the currency seller how many euros you'll get for your pounds after all charges.
The best way to avoid the currency exchange swindle is to compare the rates offered by sellers in advance - and the most generous rates won't necessarily come from the Post Office or Marks & Spencer.
Use tools like MoneySavingExpert’s TravelMoneyMax or compareholidaymoney.com to work out the best deals online and near you, based on commission charges and the exchange rate itself.
Ordering currency in advance can also save you money, provided you have time between now and your trip to wait for it.
Can cards save money when spending abroad?
One way to save money on foreign currency is with a specialist currency card, like the ones provided by FairFX or or Currensea.
Cards like FairFX require you to top cards up online using pounds, and they work like a normal debit card when you're abroad - but without the fees.
The Currensea card also works like a normal debit card abroad but takes the money directly from your current account back home
This has the added bonus of not exchanging a penny more than you need, and you're saved the hassle of carrying loads of cash everywhere.
They also lock in the rate - so you know exactly how much money you have to spend.
Debit cards such as the Virgin Money Mastercard offer fee-free spending and free cash withdrawals abroad.
Starling Bank offers a Euro bank account where you can use a single debit card to spend Euros or Pound Sterling. If you want to spend Euros, use the Starling bank app to spend from your EUR account, then switch your debit card back to spend from your GBP account when you return from abroad.
But often it's credit cards which will save you the most money, provided it's a card with low or no fees for spending abroad.
Examples of good overseas cards include the Halifax Clarity Mastercard, the Barclaycard's Platinum visa, and the 118 118 Money Mastercard.
It’s always worth checking how much your card provider charges before you go away on holiday.
Is it wise to buy holiday money at the airport?
Generally speaking, the one place you should never buy your holiday money is at the airport. A family would lose £130 by changing £1,000 for euros at a UK airport’s bureau de change.
Airport currency exchange kiosks know they've got you trapped, so they can charge ridiculous commissions or offer rubbish rates.
If you do leave it until the last minute you can arrange to pick up your currency and secure a better rate. Even if you ignore every other tip, just make sure you get your euros before you arrive for your flight.
Everything you need to know for green and amber list holidays amid major changes.
Prepaid cards to ordering online – how to avoid being conned by foreign currency rip-offs.
The items Brits forget most when going on holiday – including passports and bikinis.