Planning a trip abroad and wondering where to change your money? Getting a fair exchange rate is mostly about a few simple habits, not luck. Here is how travel money pricing actually works in the UK, and how to keep more of your pounds.

Start with the rate itself. There is a "mid-market" rate, the one you see on Google or the news, which sits halfway between what the market is buying and selling a currency for. No high street provider gives you that exact rate, because the margin they add is how the service is paid for. The real question is never "do you charge commission", it is "how many euros or dollars will I actually walk out with for my pounds".

That is why "0% commission" can be misleading. A shop can advertise no commission and still give you a poor deal, because the margin is baked into the rate instead of charged as a separate fee. Always compare the final amount of foreign currency you receive, not the headline on the window.

Avoid changing money at the airport if you possibly can. Airport bureaux know you are out of options once you are past security, and their rates are usually the worst you will find anywhere. Changing a few pounds for a taxi or a coffee is fine, but do not plan your whole trip's cash there.

Order ahead instead. When you ask for a currency in advance rather than on the spot, you give yourself time to compare and you avoid being pushed into a bad rate by the clock. It also means less common currencies are actually in stock when you need them.

When you compare, use one simple test. Ask each provider the same question: "how much of this currency will I get for 500 pounds, all in, after everything." The provider that hands you the most is the cheaper one, regardless of how the pricing is described.

Think about cash versus card abroad as well. A debit or credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees can be excellent for larger payments like hotels. Cash is still king for markets, tips, small cafes, and anywhere a card might not be welcome. Most travellers do best with a sensible amount of cash plus a card as backup.

How much cash should you take? There is no single answer, but a useful approach is to budget what you expect to spend in cash for the first few days, plus a small buffer for emergencies, and keep the rest on a card. Carrying your entire budget in notes is a risk you do not need to take.

Do not forget your leftover currency. Coins usually cannot be changed back, so try to spend them before you fly home, but leftover notes can often be sold back. Keep your receipt, as some providers offer a better buy-back rate to customers who bought the currency from them in the first place.

A quick word on the rules. If you carry 10,000 pounds or more in cash into or out of Great Britain, you must declare it to customs. The figure and the exact process can change, so check the current guidance on gov.uk before you travel with a large amount.

How we do it at Safe Cash. From our counter on Hoe Street in Walthamstow, we show you the rate and the exact amount you will receive before you commit to anything. You reserve online if you like, but you pay in person and leave with your currency and a receipt. There is no online payment and no pressure. If a currency is unusual, ask us in advance and we will tell you honestly what we can get and when.

The short version: know the mid-market rate, ignore the commission wording, skip the airport, order ahead, and compare the final amount in your hand. Do that and you will rarely overpay for travel money again.

How to Get the Best Exchange Rate on Travel Money (UK Guide)