How to Save on Fees When Exchanging Currency

While not anywhere as exortive as they were when we started this site, airport forex exchange fees are still high. You pay for the convenience of not planning ahead, and being able to exchange spur-of-the-moment. Fees/service charges can go from between 7 up to 20% at some airports. It's even worse near tourist destinations. A famous excahnge ripoff is near Charles Bridge in Prague. I paid a combo fee/service charge of 42% one fine autumn day when I needed to exchange some Euros. Doah!

Well, you are a planner, since you've come to the world's ulitmate packing list site. So you can escape the unorganized tax, and get your money exchanged ahead of time.

• To begin, try to use a no foreign transaction fee credit card if at all possible. You'll end up getting a relatively-fair exchange rate price, and you won't have to hassle with bills in what might not be your native language.
• If you don't have a ATM card that has in-network foriegn branches, you should look to exchange your currency before you head out on your trip. Some banks will do this. Watch out for fees though - they vary and some banks that do not do much volume will charge a lot for the service. It's almost like they don't want to provide currency exchange, so they charge enough to make most people go elsewhere.
• If your bank doesn't provide this service or is one that charges high fees, look at an online currency broker. There are many to choose from.