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Compare Tesco exchange rate with Wise travel money card

Planning on travelling abroad soon? You're probably wondering about the best ways to get your hands on some local currency. A popular option to consider is Tesco travel money cash. Cash offers ease, however, travel money cards often provide added convenience and security. That's where travel money cards come in handy.

This comparison table lets you compare the exchange rate for foreign currencies with Tesco vs our travel money card. With Wise, you don’t have the hassle of cash at all. The Wise travel money card is a smart alternative — like a prepaid card, it keeps your travel money secure worldwide. You can withdraw cash from ATMs at your destination or simply use it to make payments at shops and restaurants worldwide, without the hassle of dealing with leftover change.
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Travel with the Wise card, and save

This calculation is based on spending 1,000 GBP to compare travel money with the Wise card vs exchanging cash for a holiday.

We regularly check our prices against other providers to show you how much you could save with us.

Compare the costs

Conversion fee
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£4.28
a logo of Tesco supermarket in bright green
£0
Exchange rate markup*
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£0
a logo of Tesco supermarket in bright green
£23.07
Delivery fee
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£7
a logo of Tesco supermarket in bright green
£0
ATM use
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up to £16**
a logo of Tesco supermarket in bright green
£0
Total fee
A logo of Wise in darkgreen
£11.28
a logo of Tesco supermarket in bright green
£20.04
You can save
A logo of Wise in darkgreen
Average saving of £8.76 with Wise
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£8.76 more expensive than Wise

Above data collected as of May 2023. *Learn more about hidden fees. **0% on the first £200, 2% thereafter (2% on £800) Learn more about ATM fees

Buying Tesco travel money?

When travelling abroad, it's important to have some cash in foreign currency. Tesco offers currency exchange services across the UK. However, buying travel money at Tesco can be time-consuming and expensive due to commission and fees, as you won’t get the true mid-market rate.

A better alternative is to use a travel money card – like the Wise card – which allows you to load multiple currencies onto a prepaid card, and convert at the mid-market rate, and withdraw at ATMs with no fee*.

*Some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

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Does Tesco exchange currency?

Tesco offers foreign currency exchange in bureaux de change, in their stores and online. However, Tesco may not always provide the best exchange rate, so it's a good idea to compare exchange rates from other providers before making a decision. Additionally, some branches may charge a commission or other fees for currency exchange, so it's important to check the fees and terms before exchanging your currency.

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card, sometimes called a prepaid travel card, is a type of a card which allows you to keep multiple currencies, and use the card while travelling the world with no hidden fees to worry about. You can hold up to 40+ currencies in your travel money card, and convert them at the mid-market rate with the Wise app.

Unlike travel money cash, you don’t even need to have the money converted beforehand — simply use the travel money card in stores, coffee shops, online or withdraw from ATMs, and we’ll convert the amount automatically for you, for a low fee.

a Wise travel money card and a mobile putting on a map

How to get the best rates for travel money?

If you're planning to travel abroad, getting the best rate for your travel money is important. Nobody wants to spend more money than they have to on exchange rates and fees. Here are some tips to save money on your currency exchange.

  1. Always compare: Compare exchange rates from different providers, including banks, online exchange services, and bureaux de change. You can compare supermarket rates here.

  2. Time your exchange: Keep an eye on exchange rates and exchange your currency when the rate is more favourable. Avoid exchanging at the airport: Airport currency exchange services often charge high fees and offer poor rates.

  3. Be aware of hidden fees: Some providers may charge commission or other fees, so be sure to check the terms and conditions before exchanging your currency.

  4. Consider a travel money card: Travel money cards allow you to load multiple currencies onto a prepaid card, giving you more control over your spending and exchange rates.

Wise travel money card

Spend abroad with mid-martket rate. No markups, no sneaky transaction fees

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App to top-up and convert in real time
Check balance and transactions on the app, and get notification for every transaction.

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Hold more than 40+ currencies
Your prepaid travel card for all holidays, accepted worldwide, like a credit or debit card.

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Spend the leftover money in the UK for free
If your trip is cancelled or you’ve got leftover currency, spend it at home in the UK with a small conversion fee.

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Spend in 170+ countries
Only gives you the exchange rate you see on Google to use in 170+ countries.

Why choose a travel money card instead of cash?

  • When travelling, it is important to keep your money safe. Carrying a lot of cash can make you a target for theft, and if you lose it, you may not be able to get it back. A travel money card is a safer option because it can be blocked if lost or stolen, and you can get a replacement card quickly.
  • A travel money card — also known as a currency card — can be used like a credit or debit card at millions of locations worldwide. This means you can pay for purchases, withdraw cash, and check your balance just like you would with your regular bank card.
  • Free ATM cash withdrawals up to £200 a month: Some banks and travel card companies charge fees for using your card abroad. With the Wise travel money card, you only pay a small fee on withdrawals after the first £200. Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from ATMs abroad. Learn more about our pricing
  • Real exchange rate: Wise travel money cards use the mid-market exchange rates that you see on Google, which means you can get more money for your currency exchange. This can help you save money and stretch your travel budget further.
  • Reloadable and reusable for your next trip: A travel money card is not a one-time-use option. It is reloadable and reusable, which means you can use it again for future trips. You can add funds to your card as needed, and you won't have to worry about exchanging money every time you travel.
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*Some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Questions about Tesco exchange rate

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