Cheapest travel forex

Get most of your currency after arrival from ATM using your cash card. It's worth opening an account with Nationwide as they charge nothing to withdraw cash abroad. Others charge 2.75% for conversion and 1-1.5% for cash withdrawal. If you want to take a small amount to tide you over (recommended, as airport ATM may be down or has a huge queue), go to a larger branch of M&S where they sell you currency without commission and give good rates, better than Post Office. Also keep your eyes open for any local offers in travel agents for popular currencies like US$ and euro, if you don't have a M&S currency counter nearby.

Alec

It depends on the amounts. Also one day Thomas Cook might be better, the next day a bank may be better so shop around. There is usually not a lot of difference. Sometimes the small kiosk-type offices can be competitive.

The cheapest option is often to wait until you arrive then withdraw from a cash machine. This wont, however, help you buy a sandwich at the airport so it's worth getting some currency by one of the mentioned methods before you go.

If you have contacts in the country it might be worth tracking down any expat workers who might like to change money with you when you arrive.

Try the Post Office. Last time they had commission free TCs.