Euros

[potterfan3]

I am going to France soon so I'll need euros. I only need a small amount as I'm only going for a day. The post office website says that to make an order I need to order at least £500 worth which I think is too much. Can I just walk into the post office and ask for euros without ordering them? Or am I better off just getting them from somewhere else? (if so where?)

I know I can use my bank card out there but they charge a commission.

[jno]

blimey... £500? That must be for home delivery. Yes, you should be able to walk into a PO or other bureau de change - I don't know what the minimums are but they'd probably start around a tenner (it's all profit to them).

There are some comparative rates here:

http://travelmoney.mo...uy-1000-euros#results

But they vary from place to place, so it would depend what's near you if you want to do it in person. Some charge commission, and some don't but load the exchange rate instead.

[Buenchico]

You can walk into any Post Office branch and buy Euros, at quite a good rate of exchange. (Even the smaller sub-post offices seem to keep them in stock).

If you're exchanging cash then (as far as I'm aware) there are no formalities but some card transactions require you to present your passport. (Take it with you anyway, just in case you're asked for it).

Don't be afraid to use your debit card abroad though. You'll pay a fee but you'll probably get a better exchange rate, so there's no much difference in what it will actually cost you. (I was in Bordeaux, just for a day trip, last week. I used a combination of Euros from the Post Office and my UK debit card)

Chris

[jno]

for what it's worth, Chris, I have a Saga credit card that doesn't charge commission for use abroad and uses good exchange rates (at any rate, it has so far). If you do a lot of popping abroad it might be worth trying to get one.

[pink-kittens]

Be aware that smaller PO's may only have a a small amount of Euros in stock. I always get mine from my local PO and they have on a couple of occasions only had €60 in

Travel agents always have them in stock in larger amounts and the exchange rate is variable, sometimes better than the PO and sometimes worse. Swings and roundabouts

[jd_here]

I have similar benefits with Nationwide and Halifax credit cards, and you get the foreign exchange rate NOT the tourist rate. Well worth having one of thes cards.

[spudqueen]

I work in a Post Office (a very small sub post office) and we generally have Euros in stock. The only time we don't is when someone has already been in that day and taken the lot (has happened!) or most of them. If you're paying by card you will need some id (passport or driving licence).

[boxtops]

Yes, I take a small amount of euros and always get them over the counter from the PO - but it is equally as easy to take your debit card with you, and draw out the money from an ATM when you get there. If you are going on the ferry, don't use the ATM on the boats from Dover - I speak from experience, they charge £2.75 handling charge.

[boxtops]

PS chris is right, if you exchange cash for euros at the PO, you need no identity - but if you want to buy euros on your debit card, you'll need to take your passport. Don't ask me why.

[whiskeysheri]

I also work in a PO. If you did happen to pop into one and they didn't have any in for whatever reason, they can set up a Travel Money Card for you. All your Euros (or take a bit of cash too) on one card with a pin number (not linked to your bank account), so it's secure; no charges when using it abroad and you get a slightly better rate on it! You can also top it up online and in branch whenever you see a particularly good rate. You'll need your ID, but it takes minutes and it's ready to go from 10.30am the next day.