How to buy euros in the UK for your next trip

Planning a trip to Europe? Sorting your euros before you leave is one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary costs. Whether you need cash for a market stall in Rome or a card that works across multiple countries, the choices you make can affect how much value you actually get.

This guide explains how to buy euros in the UK, where to find a competitive pound to euro exchange rate, and how to manage your spending once you're there.

We’ll also introduce a smart way to manage your expenses while travelling - the Wise card. This clever debit card automatically converts your money to the local currency in 150+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate (close to what you can see on Google), with only a low, transparent conversion fee.

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How to buy euros in the UK

There are several ways to exchange pounds to euros before your trip. Your main options include high street banks, supermarket bureaux de change (such as Tesco and Sainsbury's), the Post Office, online currency providers and travel money cards.

What works best depends on how much you need, how quickly you need it and how much you're willing to pay in fees.

Here is a step-by-step approach to help you make a better decision.

Step 1: Decide whether you need euro cash, a card or both

Before anything else, think about where you’re going and how you plan to pay. In popular European cities such as Paris, Barcelona or Rome, card payments are widely accepted. In smaller towns, rural areas or at local markets, cash is often still essential.

For most travellers, a mix works best. Carry a small amount of euro cash for tips, small purchases and situations where a card is not accepted, and use a travel-friendly card for larger payments. If you want more context on how cash and card use varies by destination, our guide to cash or card in France is a helpful starting point.

Step 2: Compare the pound to euro exchange rate

The exchange rate is one of the biggest factors affecting how many euros you get for your pounds.

The benchmark to know is the mid-market rate, sometimes called the mid-market exchange rate. This is the rate banks use when trading currency with each other, and it is the figure you see when you search GBP to EUR on Google or a site like XE. Some providers add a margin on top of this rate, meaning you receive fewer euros per pound in the end. The rates are updated at around 16:00 CET each working day.¹

Before committing to any provider, check their rate against the mid-market rate to see how much extra you are paying. The gap between providers can be significant, especially on larger amounts.

Step 3: Check fees, delivery costs and collection options

Exchange rates are only part of the picture. Many providers also charge fees on top. Common ones include:

• Delivery fees: if you order euro cash online for home delivery, a postage charge may apply. Some providers waive this on orders over a certain amount.
• Collection fees: click and collect services from supermarkets or bureaux de change (currency exchange shops) are often free, but rates can vary by location.
• Exchange rate margins: some providers advertise zero commission but build a margin into the rate instead. Always look at the total euros you will actually receive.

Providers such as the Post Office let you compare rates and order euros travel money online. This often returns a better deal than walking in without a reservation, with options for free delivery over certain amounts.² For a closer look at what travel cards offer in comparison to cash, our Post Office travel card vs Revolut card guide covers the key differences.

Step 4: Avoid buying euros at the airport

If you can plan ahead, avoid exchanging pounds to euros at the airport. Airport currency exchange desks tend to apply wider margins on the exchange rate than online or high street providers, which means you could end up with noticeably fewer euros for your money.

If you do arrive without euros and need cash quickly, using an ATM is generally a better choice than a bureau de change desk. When you do use an ATM abroad, always choose to withdraw in the local currency.

If you’re asked whether you want to pay in pounds or in euros, always choose euros. Paying in pounds through the ATM gives the machine operator control of the conversion, which is known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC). The rate used is rarely in your favour.

Our guide to should you pay in local currency when travelling explains why this matters and how to avoid it.

Step 5: Order euros online or collect them in store

Ordering euro cash online before your trip is often one of the more cost-effective routes.

Most major UK providers let you:

• Order online and have euros delivered to your home (usually via Royal Mail Special Delivery)
• Reserve online and collect from a local branch or supermarket

If you’re ordering for home delivery, check how many days the delivery takes and whether there is a minimum spend to unlock free delivery. Some providers offer next-day delivery if you order before a stated cut-off time.

For collection, the click and collect option lets you lock in the online rate rather than the in-store rate. Online rates are often better, even with the same provider.

Step 6: Keep some euros for arrival and use a card for larger payments

Once you’re there, keep a small amount of euro cash available for your first day, such as airport transport, a coffee or tipping. After that, use a card for most of your spending where possible.

Paying by card for larger purchases means you carry less cash, which can lower your risk if something goes wrong. If your card is lost, you can often freeze it instantly through an app. For more practical tips on using ATMs abroad, our guide to using ATMs abroad: how to avoid unfair exchange rates and hidden fees covers everything you need to know.

If you plan to use your standard UK debit or credit card abroad, check what foreign transaction fees apply. Many traditional UK banks charge a percentage fee on card payments made in other currencies, which can add up quickly over a longer trip.

A convenient alternative to carrying euros abroad

While having some euro cash on hand can be useful, many travellers now prefer to use a card for most of their spending. The right card can help you avoid unnecessary exchange rate markups, reduce the amount of cash you need to carry, and make managing your travel money simpler.

Open a Wise account and order your Wise card for a one-time cost of just £7 (or the Wise virtual card for free). It lets you spend in 40+ currencies in 150+ countries worldwide for low fees and mid-market exchange rates. If you have the currency in your Wise account already, there’s no fee to pay.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.

Wise is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), so features like Interest and Stocks may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For standard cash balances, we safeguard your funds to meet regulatory obligations.

In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).

We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.

Frequently asked questions about buying euros

Where is the best place to buy euros in the UK?

Online currency providers, supermarket bureaux de change and the Post Office tend to offer more competitive rates than high street banks or airport kiosks. It’s worth comparing at least two or three providers before buying, looking at both the exchange rate and any fees. Online rates are often better than in-store rates, even with the same provider.

Is it better to buy euros online or in store?

Buying euros online is often cheaper, as providers typically offer their best rates through their websites. Many let you lock in the online rate and collect from a local branch, so you get the competitive price without waiting for delivery. Always check whether a minimum order applies.

Should I buy euros before I travel?

Having at least some euros on hand before you travel means you’re not relying on airport exchange desks when you land. A small amount of cash for your first day gives you a buffer without putting pressure on you to exchange money at short notice. For the rest of your trip, a travel card gives you a flexible and convenient alternative to carrying large amounts of cash.

Can I buy euros with a debit card?

Yes. Most online currency providers and in-store bureaux de change accept debit cards when you buy euros. Some providers may apply a small fee for debit card payments, so it’s worth checking the terms before you confirm.

Can I use euros in every European country?

No. While the euro is the official currency in 21 EU member states (including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Greece), several European countries use their own currencies.³ Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, Hungary uses the forint and Poland uses the zloty, for example.

Always check which currency your destination uses before you travel, and make sure you have the right money for each leg of your trip.

Key takeaways

• Ordering euros online via click and collect services usually secures a better exchange rate than walking into a physical branch or supermarket bureau de change without a reservation.
• Airport currency exchange desks apply significantly wider margins on the pound to euro exchange rate, meaning you will receive noticeably fewer euros for your money if you do not plan ahead.
• Choosing dynamic currency conversion at foreign ATMs gives the machine operator control over the conversion rate, so you should always select to be charged in the local euro currency instead of pounds.
• While card payments are widely accepted in popular European cities, carrying a small amount of cash remains essential for rural areas, smaller towns, and local markets.
• Standard UK bank debit and credit cards frequently add a percentage-based foreign transaction fee to every purchase made abroad, which can quickly inflate the total cost of a trip.
• The Wise card bypasses the hidden markups in currency exchange rates by automatically converting your funds at the mid-market exchange rate for a low, transparent fee.

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Sources used:

1. European Central Bank - Euro foreign exchange reference rates
2. Post Office - Foreign currency exchange
3. European Union - Countries using the euro

Sources last checked on date: 01-Jun-2026