Currency exchange guide.
Learn about foreign currency exchange. Find out where and when to buy your holiday money. And get tips to make your money go further abroad.
Published: 13 March 2026
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Confused by currency exchange?
Here’s our helpful guide to buying your travel money. In it, we answer the big questions travellers often ask before jetting off on holiday.
Plus, we explain how Tesco Travel Money can help with your holiday spending.
What’s the best way for currency exchange?
Need a hand with the basics? Here’s some quick pointers on the best way to buy your currency. So you can sort your holiday money without any faff.
- Exchange before you go - You’ll usually get a better rate online or in-store than buying at the airport. And you’ll arrive ready for taxis, tips and snacks.Exchange before you go - You’ll usually get a better rate online or in-store than buying at the airport. And you’ll arrive ready for taxis, tips and snacks.
- Compare the total cost – As well as the exchange rate, take account of any fees you have to pay. Even if the provider isn’t taking a commission.Compare the total cost – As well as the exchange rate, take account of any fees you have to pay. Even if the provider isn’t taking a commission.
- Mix how you pay - Take some cash for small spends and a debit, credit or prepaid currency card for bigger buys.Mix how you pay - Take some cash for small spends and a debit, credit or prepaid currency card for bigger buys.
To learn more about taking some cash abroad, see our guide - Why you still need travel money abroad.
Should I exchange money before I travel?
The short answer is yes. It’s usually better to get your currency before you go. Here’s why:
- Better value - you’ll get a better exchange rate in-store or online compared to last minute airport rates.Better value - you’ll get a better exchange rate in-store or online compared to last minute airport rates.
- Clearer budgeting - lock in a rate and set your holiday spend.Clearer budgeting - lock in a rate and set your holiday spend.
- Less stress on arrival - you’re ready to pay straight away.Less stress on arrival - you’re ready to pay straight away.
- Fewer surprise fees - avoid costly ATM withdrawals abroad and dynamic currency conversion (DCC).Fewer surprise fees - avoid costly ATM withdrawals abroad and dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
Bank options vs other providers
Not sure where to go? Here’s how banks, bureaux and prepaid options compare. So you can watch your wallet and pick what fits your trip.
- High street banks - convenient if you already bank there. But rates can be less competitive, and fees might apply.High street banks - convenient if you already bank there. But rates can be less competitive, and fees might apply.
- Travel money bureaux and supermarkets - often more competitive on day to day rates. Added convenience of click & collect and home delivery, as with Tesco Travel Money.Travel money bureaux and supermarkets - often more competitive on day to day rates. Added convenience of click & collect and home delivery, as with Tesco Travel Money.
- Prepaid currency card - add currencies before you go at the stated rate, then spend like a local when you get there. Handy if you don’t want to use your main debit or credit card abroad. Find out about our prepaid currency card.Prepaid currency card - add currencies before you go at the stated rate, then spend like a local when you get there. Handy if you don’t want to use your main debit or credit card abroad. Find out about our prepaid currency card.
Exchange currency at airport?
In a rush? Take time to read this before exchanging money at the airport.
- It’s convenient, but airport kiosks usually have the weakest rates and higher fees.It’s convenient, but airport kiosks usually have the weakest rates and higher fees.
- If you need to exchange money at the airport, change only a small amount for immediate costs. If possible, sort the rest in advance.If you need to exchange money at the airport, change only a small amount for immediate costs. If possible, sort the rest in advance.
Practical tips to make your holiday money go further
Keep more of your budget for the fun stuff. Here’s some simple, quick wins to manage your holiday money:
- Plan your split - A card, plus a little cash should cover most situations.Plan your split - A card, plus a little cash should cover most situations.
- Pay in the local currency - when offered a choice on card machines. That’ll help you to avoid poor conversion rates.Pay in the local currency - when offered a choice on card machines. That’ll help you to avoid poor conversion rates.
- Check ATM fees abroad - before withdrawing.Check ATM fees abroad - before withdrawing.
- Keep an eye on rates - in the run up to your trip. Buy in stages if it suits your budget.Keep an eye on rates - in the run up to your trip. Buy in stages if it suits your budget.
- Keep receipts - They’re useful for buyback services when you return. Find out about Currency Buy Back.Keep receipts - They’re useful for buyback services when you return. Find out about Currency Buy Back.
How Tesco Travel Money can help with your holiday spending
Buy your currency easily online. Or pick up in-store when you’re doing the weekly shop.
- Competitive rates on over 50 currencies - Pick up popular notes like euros and US dollars, plus many more.Competitive rates on over 50 currencies - Pick up popular notes like euros and US dollars, plus many more.
- Clubcard Prices - Get a better rate with your Clubcard. T&Cs apply.Clubcard Prices - Get a better rate with your Clubcard. T&Cs apply.
- Buy online or in-store - Buy your currency online for Home Delivery or Click+Collect. Or buy in-store at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau. Fees may apply.Buy online or in-store - Buy your currency online for Home Delivery or Click+Collect. Or buy in-store at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau. Fees may apply.
- Price Match - at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau in-store. Terms apply.Price Match - at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau in-store. Terms apply.
- Multi-currency Cash Passport prepaid card - Add up to 22 currencies to our prepaid card for easy spending and ATM withdrawals abroad.Multi-currency Cash Passport prepaid card - Add up to 22 currencies to our prepaid card for easy spending and ATM withdrawals abroad.
- Currency Buy Back - Sell your leftover holiday money to us. Plus, add our Buy Back Promise when you buy your travel money, for peace of mind. Terms apply.Currency Buy Back - Sell your leftover holiday money to us. Plus, add our Buy Back Promise when you buy your travel money, for peace of mind. Terms apply.
Exchange rates may vary during the day. Rates will vary whether you're buying in-store, online or over the phone. They'll also vary depending on whether you're buying cash or a pre-paid currency card.
We buy back most currencies we sell in most banknote values. Excludes closed currencies.
How much travel money will I need?
Whether it’s a burger in Brisbane or a taxi in Toronto, get a feel for how far your travel money might go with our foreign currency guides.
Travel Money with Clubcard Prices
Buy Travel Money online or in-store and get a better rate with your Clubcard. Choose from up to 50 currencies in cash or add up to 22 currencies to a Multi-currency Cash Passport card.
Important information
Tesco Travel Money ordered in store is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited. Registered No. 04621879. Tesco Travel Money ordered online or by telephone is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited. Registered No. 03797356. Registered Office for both companies: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.
Multi-currency Cash Passport is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard® International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Our Buy Back Promise
Our Buy Back Promise is only available if you’re:
- going abroad and coming back to the UK within 45 daysgoing abroad and coming back to the UK within 45 days
- spending a minimum of £75 on travel money online or £35 in-storespending a minimum of £75 on travel money online or £35 in-store
We’ll buy back your foreign currency bank notes at the same exchange rate you got when you bought your travel money from us, up to a maximum value of £250.
We’ll buy back any currency you have above the £250 limit using the rate available on the day, which you can see on our rates board in-store.
When you buy your travel money from us, you’ll see the exchange rate on your receipt.
*Excludes closed currencies, including Moroccan Dirham.
How does our Price Match work?
If you find a better exchange rate from another provider, we'll match it at a Travel Money Bureau in-store. As long as it’s:
- within 3 miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureauwithin 3 miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureau
- available on the day you buy your currency in-storeavailable on the day you buy your currency in-store
Price Match only applies in-store on a like-for-like basis on sell transactions. It doesn’t apply to exchange rates advertised online or by phone.
This is not available in conjunction with any other offer. We reserve the right to check the rate you’ve found and the 3-mile distance from our store (using a standard route planning tool).