Euros in London????

Lisa, What a ridiculous statement for the school staff to make! Perhaps they need to go "back to school"? There may be a few locations in London that will accept Euros, however the exchange rate will be severe. Using Pounds Sterling is a MUCH better idea! The students can preferably obtain these either from a local Bank prior to departure or via an ATM machine, which provides the most favourable exchange rates. I wouldn't suggest using one of the airport change booths, as again the exchange rates are not the best. Cheers!

Your nephew is lucky to have a smart Aunt.

Wow, that's an unfortunate mistake by the school. Hopefully your nephew will give someone in charge a heads up so a email or note can be circulated with the correct info.

England uses only British Pounds and you can buy them from a bank ( not all banks sell currency, but some do) and from American Express. Both may have a fee, so it is better to buy the Euro and the Pounds at the same time and buy all that you want so you only pay one fee. England will not accept the Euro. Brish pounds right now is at a higher rate than the Euro but both Pairs and London are expensive cities so you want to make your nephew bugets his money so he has enough and bring a bank card to get more money. But notify the bank that is used to find out what banks will accept the bank card or if he uses a credit card, notfiy the credit card company before he leaves to advise them he will be traveling so he will be able to use the credit card. Hope this helps.

Ask the guy who made the pronouncement if he will accept his salary in Turkish pesos.

You are so right.....in the UK it's only the British £.

In Copenhagen last summer, I was surprised to find there were a lot of vendors who would readily accept Euros as well as the local currency (Kroner). If pressed, they probably would have also taken U.S. dollars, but at an unfavorable exchange rate. These were vendors who cater to tourists in tourist areas. It would be a mistake to think you can use Euros anywhere in England - especially if you ask someone who is a strong proponent of saving the British Pound.

This brings up the old travel axiom that it's ALWAYS better to pay in the local currency. Even if a vendor accepts a foreign currency - such as a Danish vendor accepting euros - the exchange rate he gives you will always be skewed in his favor.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I did not think that I read wrong. Also, what makes matters worse is that the rep from the tour company was the one who told them. I think from reading about everything on here, I could tell them more than the tour co could. Also, they did not warn them about any scams. I had already read everything on here and I told my nephew to please pass the info along to his friends. I know a lot of the kids wear those friendship bracelets and I did not want any of them to get scammed while in Paris. It amazes me that they don't feel the need to tell them any security information. Oh, wait I forgot, they told the girls not to carry purses because they would get robbed. Good info, hunh?
Lisa

Hi Lisa, sounds like the tour company needs to get better help that knows what they are talking about.

You don't say anything about your nephew's school. However, if I were a parent whose child was going abroad on a school sponsored trip, I'd want the school to be supplying responsbile info. I only say this because my son studied in London for a semester on a school sponsored program. The school did a great job with supplying all info. When my son arrived in London, they even had the local police present a program on scams, etc. I don't mean to be judgmental. However, what you are saying has my parental radar up.
It appears it might be up to you and your nephew's parents to make sure he has all the info he needs for a successful experience. Good luck~