Exchanging Irish pounds

The previous poster didn't read the question carefully enough. The OP knows that in Dublin they use euros, and in Northern Ireland they use pounds. The question was what to do with extra pounds they might have when they leave Northern Ireland for the Republic.

You won't be able to change anything but bills, which you can do at a bank or exchange, either in NI or back in the Republic. Keep the coins as souvenirs or donate them to charity during your return flight to the US. Keep your ATM withdrawal to just what you think you may need (use a credit card for large costs, such as hotel) so that you don't have excess to exchange.

If we're ever in a country that has its own individual currency (like the Czech Republic or Hungary, for instance) and we don't foresee being back within the next year or so, we will use any excess money as payment toward our hotel bill on the morning of checkout and pay the rest of the bill with a credit card.

Of course, with euros we stockpile everything we can.

Just as an FYI, I used to live very close to Enniskillen and they accept both Euro and GPB...which is handy :)

Hi, Patrice.

I usually wind up spending what monies I have left (I try to make that as small an amount as possible) on souvenirs for family/friends/etc on the last day. British Chocolate goes a looooong way with coworkers.

Another option is to list them on craigslist, travel forums or ebay (i think you can still do it on Ebay). **Lots of people in your area are probably traveling to Europe, and would gladly pay you a better rate than the banks/exchange windows will give, and it still saves them money!

Nancy is right. Reading only the headline and not the entire question means never answering the actual question.

I agree with what Nancy wrote except I would only use a bank to exchange the money. You'll probably get a better rate than at an exchange bureau.

I would only use a bank, too, except that the OP said that the day they leave is a bank holiday. I thought perhaps only exchanges would be open then.

Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions. I have no idea how much cash we'll need in NI. Any suggestions how much you'd pull out?? We'll be in an Antrim area hotel the first 2 nights and a B&B in Enniskillen the second 2 nights - they both accept credit cards (using a Capital One card that has no foreign conversion fee.) We plan to tour the Antrim coast day 2, visit Derry day 3, then explore the Fermanagh Lake region day 4. I'm assuming most stores and shops accept credit cards, but what about restaurants, pubs, tourist places for admission, tours and such?? Thanks again for all your help!

No, Steve, we gave a specific answer to the question, not a generic one.

Patrice asked for the "best" way to exchange money--not "how" to exchange money. She knew that Ireland uses the Euro. To give a good response you need to read the question carefully and not just focus on the topic headline.

An expert is not judged by the number of postings but their quality as well.

When I was last in the Dublin Airport in 2007 you could get pounds sterling from the ATM as well as Euro's.

One other thing to mention Patrice....since the pounds used in Northern Ireland are good anywhere in the UK....save them for a future trip to England, Scotland or Wales.

So, to sum up...your choices are:

1) Exchange the British pounds for Euros when you get to Ireland. (Waiting an extra day until the banks opens may get you a better exchange rate. The banks will be open on Tuesday, May 4)

2) Bring them home and try to sell them on craigslist as Chris mentioned.

3) Save them for a future trip.

I wouldn't suggest bringing them back to exchange at a bank here as the exchange rate will probably not be as good as a bank in Ireland.

But as to the best thing...well...save them for another trip but if you must exchange, do it at a bank.

(I know this is redundant to my post above but I can't help myself and it seems we're recapping here...)

4) ...or, you could use the extra money as payment toward your hotel bill on your last morning in NI, this way there would be no additional exchange fees involved.

Oops, sorry Angela, didn't leave your idea out on purpose. It's a good one.

But keep a few pounds....just in case there's an ash cloud and your train/car is delayed. You may want a snack.