Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

I spend a lot of time (& money) in Ireland but work in UK. When I go over, I tend to either pay on my Debit Card or sometimes get money out the Cashpoint. Then when the bank statement comes in, I see fees and exchange rates etc, which makes it somewhat more expensive than what I was anticipating. The only decent exchange rate is at the petrol stations but you have to buy petrol obviously!

So, what is the best way to make £ into Euro. Looking at the exchange rate last week it was 1.41 Euro to the £ but this week its down to 1.36 so far but that could have been an extra 50 euro on that £1k if I'd been in a position to buy then. Post Office is not too bad but you then need to wander around with a wodge of cash. Thinking about opening an Irish bank account but that takes ages but would it be better than the PO once transferred across?

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

not quite the same situ but for holidays we used to use m&s bureau de change because the rates were competitive and after providing you kept receipt changing back was free to do

hodgy0_2

we use the travelex currency card

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

When I took large sums, i used to go and ask each travel agent to quote me for that amount in £, then play 'em off against one another.

The rate is dropping nicely for the easter break I see........

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I use a Post Office credit card when I'm abroad spending a lot of cash as it always gives the current best exchange rate and no fees, what you see is what you pay

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

I've not found the PO to be the best rate, over their counter anyway?

PaulC72

I use eurochange - rates higher than Travelex who I used to use before I found them

for monthly regular transfers I use currencies direct.

P1Fanatic

Get a Halifax Clarity credit card for card payments as no fees and banks exchange rate is always better than what you will get via currency exchange. You can compare Mastercards current rates here:

https://www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion/

If you ever get asked if you want to pay for a card transaction in local currency or GBP choose local otherwise they screw you on the exchange rate.

Travelex make me laugh with their Easter happy hour sale yesterday. On 400 euros I would have saved 12p over the rate it was prior to happy hour. Tesco and Sainsburys were still doing better rates as well.

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

CaxtonFX eurotraveller pre-paid card or CaxtonFX world traveller card.

https://www.caxtonfx.com/currency-cards/how-they-work

Always keep a couple of hundred euro on mine for impromptu trips across the border.

ScoobyWon't

I always went to an exchange bureau and told them I had a large amount to exchange and asked for a better rate.

If they wouldn't play ball I'd use XE.com.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

This is what I used to do, I agree Post office is crap.

Now I just use card at the cashpoint but draw a large amount out as it's £2 a pop but the rates are usually better over all than any of the over the counter options.

My mate who works in Italy would take the train to London to change large sums ish £10k and play them off each other too, even with the train fair it was still worth his while.

P1Fanatic

Get a card such as the Halifax Clarity that doesnt charge for cash withdrawals. It does charge interest as soon as you withdraw but you can reduce this to almost nil if your savvy by transferring the amount via online banking app as soon as you withdraw.

Ooperbum

ditchmyster knows someone's sister who, when she looks at a euro, she turns it into 100 £ coins!!