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Changing Money in London Banks

I'll be flying into London from Austria and I may have some leftover Euro currency. There is a bank close to the hotel that I'm staying at. Am I able to walk into any bank in London and get these Euro changed to Pounds? Or do I need to be an account holder to do any transactions with a teller? thanks, Marlene

Posted by
9109 posts

A lot of banks only do it for account holders these days. You can definitely change that money at the airport at one of the exchange desks.

Posted by
5448 posts

Go to a specialist currency dealer - you will get a better rate than bureau de change inside banks. Thomas Exchange Global is one that has been suggested before but there are others. Usually makes sense to get a voucher from their website to fix the rate. If you have very little left find one near where you are or going.

Posted by
9371 posts

If you plan carefully, you could just use up your euros paying all or part of your hotel bill. Then you wouldn't have to exchange anything.

Posted by
2787 posts

I find a way to use up my Euros before I travel to a country that has a different currency, either using them to pay down my bill from wherever I am staying or taking them home to save for my next trip to Europe. If you decide to use an exchange service, be prepared to get a poor exchange rate.

Posted by
9371 posts

And they probably won't exchange coins or small bills.

Posted by
1829 posts

In addition to the specialist forex dealers mentioned try somewhere like Marks and Spencer (in most of their stores) or the Post Office. The rates won't be brilliant but better than the banks. Small denomination notes should be ok but no coins accepted.