How to Exchange + Spend Money in London
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Find out how to exchange your currency for British Pounds when visiting London. I also tell visitors to London how to get British Pounds before getting to London, and tips for spending your money while you're here. click "see more" to get my London guide
My other London advice videos:
10 Important Things to Know Before Visiting London: • 10 Important Things to...
How to Get Around London: • How to Get Around Lond...
What to Pack When Visiting London: • What to Pack When Visi...
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XE currency finder app: fave.co/1sGFlUF
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Just got back from London.. one week.. my U.S. atm debit and credit card worked in all London ATM's.. (Major ATM's only).. Post Office, Airports, Train stations.. very convenient .. My credit and debit cards worked at all stores.. taxi cabs.. restaurants.. it was like being back in NYC.. JUST REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR BANK A TRAVEL ALERT BEFORE LEAVING, THEY MAY BLOCK YOUR CARDS IF THEY DETECT OVERSEAS USAGE, THINKING IT'S FRAUD.. Love London, will be back, this time a not so green tourist..lol
Great! :D Hope you make it back soon!
That will be me this year travelling from Calgary, Alberta, Canada...Can hardly wait! 😍
Thank you for all the helpful info! I honestly did a double-take when you said "buck" in explaining the quid. LOL
Thanks for watching!
I've lived in England before (1990's) but your info was bang on and a nice refresher course. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve watched many of your videos and have subscribed. You do an excellent job of explaining and covering so many topics. We can’t wait for our England trip in June. Thanks again! 👍🏻
Thank you so much Kathy!
Great video lots of helpful info. Thank you!
You're welcome, thanks for watching and commenting Rachel :)
Great videos loved all of them ..
I am in love with your videos!!
Thanks Armando!
Great tips Thank you!
You're welcome rachel :)
Thank you!!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. These will come in handy when my husband and I travel there in the fall! :)
Awesome, glad I could help Caroline! Thanks for commenting and watching. Enjoy your time here, and be sure to check out my London Tips and Advice playlist before you go: ua-cam.com/play/PL6u96nZN-L_bjBvhTdAYvq0EpL3y-At9C.html
I have never been annoyed in London. But then I live in NYC,
A couple of things you may have missed is in England we have £50 notes which are not in general circulation if an American or other visitor's gets cash before they leave their home country and have some your best bet is taking them to a bank to change for smaller bills/note £5,£10,£20 I lived all my life here and I've never seen one (£50note). Second if visitor use the hole in the wall (ATM) or which to pay with a credit card or debit card they need a pin number do they have them in America. Last but not least American Express is not accepted in lot of the smaller shops up north so take some other form of payment. Hope this information is OK the video again was very fair and balanced.
Hi Tony, you've never seen a £50 note? I've seen them quite often actually! Yes we have pin numbers in the US for ATMs but if I remember correctly that American cards get swiped and then they won't be prompted for a pin when paying at a shop. And good point about American Express, it's the same for even in the US and London really so I think Amex card holders expect that.Thanks Tony!
A £50 note would be avoided like the plague up here and if you've seen quite a few I bet you don't shop out poundland only joking
tony rant n rave I was wondering why when I exchanged my money I was given 500 pounds in all 20 pound notes!
Thank you, really helpful.
Thanks for watching!
Yes I was looking for this 😊
Great!
Me along with my family watch your content daily, numerous times, we can’t thank you enough.
Regards Gwenn Gomes Goa India
thank you Gwenn!
You have so many excellent tips for traveling in London and even the UK... One small point... both Barclay's and HSBC (Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank Corporation) are really British banks with lot's of US branches...
+Al Stock Thanks, and yup !
Love the tips coming soon
:)
me to
About Barclays: They have a U.S. presence by offering online savings accounts and credit cards issued by them and also they're the credit card issuer for other banks, but they don't have branches here. If they do, they're sure hiding them. As far as exchanging currency, charging stuff and ATM use, if you don't travel very often, I wouldn't get too wound up trying to save a small percent on fees and exchange rates. What money you might save will not make a difference in the course of your life, plus will take away from your time doing things. Accept it as a cost of traveling and enjoy your vacation. Good video.
Great seeing your videos , this coming August for the first time I am visiting London with my husband , I am learning a lot with you , for example I thought that all Europe and UK uses the same plug adapter I just find out with you that is not like that lol
So glad to help! Enjoy your visit in August, fingers crossed for lovely weather for you :)
Love you video, thank you for the advise!
I love the money their! When I get go over to the UK London for the first time ever, which I'm so excited and badly want to go, it's my dream! I am bring back every coin and bill back to the US and never use it! I want to collect different countries money! The UK money is really cool and interesting history! Awesome advise love your other videos I didn't know about the banks charging you to withdraw and exchange money too!
Thank you
Welcome!
Hope One day i will definately come to LONDON.
Do not get a taxi from the airport! But yes, get a bunch of pounds before you go. And the tips are good. A few years back the Barklay's cash machines didn't charge a fee for use, but two years ago they all said no fee. (Of course your bank will charge something like she said.)
I always get a taxi (Uber) from Heathrow as it's the easiest way for me to get home. I don't mind paying the extra. It's completely up to the traveler what they want to do :)
I second getting a credit card that doesn't charge exchange fees. I got a Bank of America Travel credit card that doesn't charge any fees. It's a great thing. I'm able to order tea from London without any additional fees now that I'm back home. It also gives a point worth about 1.5 cents for every dollar I charge on it that I can apply to any travel expenses. Also check with your bank to see if they have a partner bank in London. Like Bank of America does with Barclays. I took about 100 gpb with me but mostly charged everything. The notes are easy but the change is hard to count when you aren't familiar with it.
Nice one! :)
I'm visiting from Canada in a few weeks, I was wondering how the taxes work on items sold in shops. I was told that the price advertised is the price you pay, unlike here where if something is 19.99 is actually more with taxes. I'm only in London for a week but i'm pretty excited. Flying into Gatwick on the 9 of Aug.. Your videos have helped me so much......Thank you..)
So happy to help! Yup tax is included in the price on the tag.
love your videos!!! do the Markets take credit or only cash?
Thanks Florence! Some take credit but it's best to always have cash just in case.
love you london and you
Hey Hey :)
Love your videos !!
Do you have good plans for New Years Eve ? I come for New Years Eve and I don't really know what to do or where to go (apart from the fireworks by the Big Ben) ! Thank you so much for your answer :)
Xx
Hi Krysteel! Personally, we just go to a friend's house for New Year's because going out can be pretty expensive. When it gets closer to New Year's, though, you can check on Time Out London and the Visit London site for a list of all of the events and parties happening around the city.
hey there, thanks for the useful tips for London. Could you a video on your favorite places to eat out in London?
Hi Loh! You're very welcome. I've got a blog post of some of my favourite spots! loveandlondon.com/7-food-spots-in-london-worth-visiting/
Checked it out! Cool blog post! Thanks!
Lovely! I also am planning to have a section of my site with more food recommendations, so keep an eye out in the next few weeks.
Loh Shooks m
does my debit/creditcard have to have a chip or pin on it to work in england ?
Taxi from the airport!? Heathrow/Gatwick express a far better option, there's even the very good bus/tube options actually at the terminal.
Completely depends on where you're going. When I go to/from my house, Heathrow Express would add another hour onto my journey. Taxi is much quicker and I don't want to lug my bags on the tube.
I'm coming to London next year, and I knew not to take the taxi from the airport, but trains should be a better option. When I flew into Manchester International airport, I took a train to Limestreet Liverpool , and my friend picked me up at the train station.
What camera do you use? P.s I love your videos
Hi Sabrina, thanks! It's the Olympus PEN E-PL7
+Love and London thank you I've been looking into the Canon G7x I heard that was a good one
Hi Jess, love the videos! Dumb question-my wife and I are arriving late to Heathrow (10.30pm) from the US. (A) will taxis accept credit/debit card and (B) is the £50 or so fare per trip or per person? Thanks!
Yes they take card, the fare totally depends on where your hotel is.
@@loveandlondon thank you!
Thank you for all of the useful information! I am actually visiting London this week and have heard post offices are the best places to receive cash if I need it. Besides a passport, do I need a debit card or credit card? I will have both but I wasn't sure how you actually exchanged for cash. Thank you!
I always pay with card but I'm 95% sure you could also pay with your own currency.
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I’m going to London in a few weeks and I’ve been binge watching all your videos! I feel like I know you at this point.
Haha aw ! Thanks for watching Jessica
HSBC does have charges, I was just at a NYC branch and they said that using a London HSBC ATM involves fees, and going to the branch office counter wasn't an option.
Hm that's odd, I have HSBC and I use their ATMs abroad with no charges!
Hi... I heard from my friends small money exchange stores often has best rate, can you reccomend which location will be the best? She said its mostly quite far from touristic place.. thank you!
Hey Sarah, usually if you're far from the tourist areas, there will only be the option of a bank or post office for currency exchange. As mentioned, I would instead recommend getting cash (pounds) in your home country to bring with you, and then using your bank card to withdraw from your account as you need from an ATM/cash machine. Hope that helps.
where did she get that living room TV center? i need one of those. Ikea much? :)
Yup it’s Ikea
You can also get a debit card from visa and maybe others which you put money on and use to pay where ever you see the card logo its not linked to your bank account so if gets lost or stolen it can only be used for the amount left on it
Do you have a link to ones that you can get that can be used internationally without international fees?
Not sure on international fees but they also do a travel card which is replacing travellers cheques www.mastercard.co.uk/prepaid-card.html www.visa.co.uk/products/visa-card-payments/visa-prepaid
It would be important to know what the international fees for Americans to use the cards in the UK are before purchasing one of these.
I've looked at both the visa UK and the link below for visa USA and can't find any mention of international fees. usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/cards/prepaid-cards/travel-money-card.html
My US bank ATM card also works just like a credit card until the account is empty, no PIN. It also says VISA on it. But if you go over it pays but it's an overdraft. It doesn't bill you like a normal credit card. (Don't ask how I found out). So I'd call the number on it to be sure how it works.
can i use the same money in London as well as Cologne, Munich and in Austria?
No, those countries are on euros.
hii hello.
here Saurabh from India
actually I'm coming next week to London.... so; can you guided about exchange money n overall tour their #4 days spend
I can’t download the link.
How do I find places to buy an oyster card? Staying at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
Hey Christine! This video will tell you: ua-cam.com/video/5eAZ7JUrkjo/v-deo.html
When I was in London l have always in cash pounds and Euro money some shops especially gift and souvenir shops accept the Euro banknotes but they give the change in pounds
Yeah! I'd say that's really only the very-touristy shops so not to expect that in 95% of the places (for those visiting soon!)
Hi, again. Another great vid. I have tried to download the guide, but I am getting a 404 error code. :( Not sure if this is just my phone or others have had the same issue. Thank you. :)
+AK MCGRATH should work now :)
Love and London Thank you. I just requested it. :)
Right now, 1 USD Is 0.77 GBP. So I'm thinking that if I go to the UK post office and exchange the money, the exchange rate will be based on that rate, rather than the 1.22 exchange rate shown on the Post Office website, right? Please advise me.
Hey Courtney, watch my updated money in London guide: ua-cam.com/video/BKDFM7dQ8Ks/v-deo.html&t
Thanks for making this video! Stupid question, but I was wondering if we walk into a post office with American cash, will they be able to exchange for pounds? and are the fees high?
Not stupid! Yes you should be able to. The fees are just in the exchange rate
How much is your hotel a day? Like I heard it’s cheap to stay out there longs your getting US money sent in cuz US money worth a lot out there.
I don't have a hotel! :)
It may be worth pointing out that some UK coins have a non-trivial value. The £2 coin is worth $2.50, so taking home a purseful of coins that you won't be able to change into dollars would be inefficient.
Well, I think what you mean is that they have no value if you want to exchange them back to your own currency because most exchange places won't change coins. Good point Frank!
Yes so if you have a bunch of change, pop into a corner shop and buy a bunch of English crisps or chocolates for the trip home!
Maybe Sainsbury's for some packs of HobNobs! I put them out at work and became very popular.
Is there a train or a bus that goes into the city of London?
Yes many tubes and buses.
does the Post office charge you for the transaction?
I think it's in the exchange rate.
im going to london this week and my friend gave me Euros to spend, are they valid in London?
A few very touristy places will take them but 95% of places won't.
so we haveto tip everywhere we go?
Here's my video about tipping in London: ua-cam.com/video/d1hoz7hu3JY/v-deo.html
I am an indian travelling to london as tourist. Can i change us dollars to pounds freely? If so where?
Bring pounds before you come but also card is very popular here
I thought that there is no tipping in Europe.
Depends on the country but in London, there certainly is.
thats strange never tipped in London not single bar or restaurant expect it
robinsan thiyam there is we just don't demand it as standard. You're free to tip as you like. In some places it would actually be considered rude not to, it just depends where you are. Where I live it's considered cheap and tacky to not leave a tip when dining in large groups (6 or more people) if the service was good. But it's also not like America where you have to tip 15-20% of the bill. It's normal to just leave 5-10 pounds/euro But that's just were I'm from its different everywhere.
I would loved to have been a fly on the wall after you left without tipping
They often include it as a service charge
SO if I exchange 1000 dollars into pounds what should I get back ??
+CelosTelevision it varies every day, you'll have to see what the current exchange rate is .
i went to this place in the city that changed it for me for 750, but when i went to the air port they said 650, they was trying to rob me of 100 in the airport, im glad I didn't do it and went to the city to come indian guys lol
Google "currency exchange."
FX rates vary every day and are not a set amount. i.e. there is no one FX rate which is applied everywhere.
A little under £800
Hello? thank you send me slightly if you have more money
How hard to people from another coutnry find a job in London?
Hi Tina, it depends on what you're trying to find a job in.
Want somethink in media. so cliche)
When you have the time can you please consider making a video about getting a visa or citizenship in the uk?
Do British airports have Foreign Exchange Machine to get British pounds?
Hi Dario, yes they have ATMs and exchange centers. Although their rates are often not very good.
i am in india i want to come to london for 2 weeks how much pounds i need to have with me
Hey Loki, have a watch of this video: ua-cam.com/video/CWMUHdK4kbo/v-deo.html
thanks mam
hehhe always same song in almost all videos...
You try finding new music that you can use legally, it's hard! :)
Get Revolut card and you won’t spend a penny on currency exchange.