Before you trade that Benjamin Franklin for the Queen, make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck with these currency exchange travel tips from TikToker @TravelingwithJoce.
The best place to exchange is at home
That’s right — your local bank is going to give you the best rate that you can find. Now, not every bank is going to have every currency, so that’s something you’ll want to check before you make the trip.
But in general, exchanging at home before you get to the airport or before you’re in the other country is going to give you the best rate of exchange.
Avoid currency exchange kiosks
Fees, fees, and more fees. If you see a currency exchange kiosk in an airport or at a major tourist site, there’s going to be a big percentage taken out of that exchange. If you plan ahead, you can avoid these fees and get more for your exchange.
If you’re using a debit card instead of getting cash, check for foreign transaction fees
Many U.S. banks will have foreign transaction fees tied to all international purchases. Look up your bank and see what that fee will be if they have one — you might spend less doing a cash currency exchange than using your debit card for foreign purchases.
Do your research on exchange rates to get familiar with what you should be spending
Keep up with the currency exchange rates so that once you get to a destination, you have a rough idea of what you should be paying for things and what the rate would be. If you have a base understanding, it’ll be easier to get a good rate.
Traveling with currency exchange can be tricky, so make sure to keep these things in mind the next time you go abroad!
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