7 Best places to exchange currency in Manchester - 2024
If you're in the UK and planning a trip abroad, or if you've recently arrived and need GBP in cash, you might be searching for the top currency exchange options in Manchester. Shopping around before you hand over your hard earned cash is essential to make sure you get the best available exchange rate for your specific currency, and don’t pay too much in fees.
Use this guide to review the things to consider when choosing currency exchange services, so you can get foreign currency or travel money in a safe and cheap way for your specific situation. We’ll also introduce some of the top rated Manchester currency exchange services, so you can see if any suit you.
Beat the money changer rates with a prepaid travel card
Going to a currency exchange before a holiday can be exciting, but you will often be paying hidden fees that are baked into the exchange rate.
With a prepaid travel card from Wise or Revolut you get the market exchange rate with low fees and complete transparency. Read here 5 best prepaid cards to use abroad.
Things to consider before exchanging money
Before you buy foreign currency for your trip, here are a few things to think about.
Avoid airport currency exchanges
You’ll often find currency exchange desks at the airport or at major hotels - however, they can be pretty poor value, as there’s not much nearby competition. Choosing a currency exchange in the city center where there are more options available can work out better value - or why not use a travel money card at an ATM on arrival, to get convenient cash as and when you need it.
Check the mid-market rate
It’s common to find the exchange rates offered by currency exchange services include a markup added onto the mid-market rate. Check the mid-market rate for your currency pairing before you head out to buy foreign currency - this can be done easily online or with a currency converter app. Finding a currency exchange service offering this rate, or as close as possible to it, can mean you get the best available value.
Beware of ATM rates
Always choose to be charged in the local currency wherever you are when you take cash out from an ATM. Often you’ll find you’re given the option to pay in your home currency instead, but in this case, the ATM operator controls the exchange rate, and fees, which can mean it costs you more in the end. Paying in the local currency means your bank or card provider sets the rate, which is usually better value overall.
Get a travel money card to cut costs
Why not get a digital account and travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut before you go abroad, to access ways to hold and exchange dozens of currencies, and linked cards for easy payment and cash withdrawals. Both Wise and Revolut have accounts with no monthly fees, good exchange rates and low, transparent fees.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the pros and cons of Wise vs Revolut, to give you an idea of which may work for you.
| Provider | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | ✅Free to open an account ✅Hold 40+ currencies ✅Use your Wise card in 140+ countries ✅No fee to spend currencies you hold ✅Mid-market rate currency conversion with low fees from 0.43% | ❌Card delivery fees apply ❌Some ATM fees apply once your monthly free withdrawal allowance is exhausted ❌No branch network |
| Revolut | ✅Open an account with no monthly fees, or upgrade for more features ✅Use your Revolut card globally ✅Some cards offer cash back opportunities ✅Hold and exchange multiple currencies, with no fees up to your plan limit ✅Some fee free ATM withdrawals based on plan type | ❌You’ll pay a monthly fee to access all features available ❌Out of hours and exotic currency conversion fees apply ❌No branch network |
Read more:
Best place to exchange currency in Manchester?
Let’s take a look at some of the top rated exchange services in Manchester, according to Google. Which works best for you will depend on where you are, and which currencies you need, as not all stores will keep all currencies on hand.
Where available, as well as the contact information and Google rating, we’ve also included the GBP - AUD exchange rate at the time of research, as an example for comparison. Before you head out, call the exchange service you pick to get the live details for the currency you need.
| Name | Address | Phone number | GBP - AUD rate | Google Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurochange Manchester - Trafford Centre | The Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8 AA | +44 161 5460396 | 1 GBP = 1.8948 AUD | 5 out of 5 stars |
| Eurochange Manchester - Exchange Street | 5 Exchange st, Manchester, M2 7EE | +44 161 5460226 | 1 GBP = 1.8948 AUD | 5 out of 5 stars |
| Superprime Ltd Money Exchange | 23 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5TB | +44 161 2251152 | Not available online | 4.8 out of 5 stars |
| FINANSPAN LIMITED | 38 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5TQ | +44 161 2562187 | Not available online | 4.4 out of 5 stars |
| Travelex Foreign Currency Exchange and Travel Money | Airside, Manchester Airport T2 | +44 345 8727627 | 1 GBP = 1.8779 AUD | 4.3 out of 5 stars |
| Post Office Travel money | Various locations in Manchester | Contact your preferred branch - numbers available on Post Office website | 1 GBP = 1.886 AUD | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Cashpoint Didsbury | 727 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M20 2TW | +44 161 4345841 | Not available online | 3.7 out of 5 stars |
Correct at time of writing, 8th August 2023
Find more currency exchange services in Manchester here.
How we rated the best places to exchange money
To create our table, we’ve used the live Google ratings at the time of research, for exchange services in central Manchester and around popular tourist and shopping sites. Do your own research to see the live ratings and exchange rates available from different services, before you head out to exchange your money.
Factors to consider when choosing an exchange provider in Manchester
The most important thing when picking an exchange service in Manchester is to look for one which is licensed and regulated by relevant authorities. That should mean you’re using a legitimate provider which will treat you fairly. You can also ask around for feedback from friends and family who use local currency exchange services, or check out Google reviews as we have, to see what other users are saying about any specific provider.
The next thing to consider is the fees and exchange rates on offer. If a provider claims to offer fee free, or zero commission currency exchange it’s especially important to check the exchange rate used to convert your funds. Often the provider’s fees are simply bundled in here, which can mean you’re paying more than you think for currency exchange.
Avoid this by looking out for a provider which offers the mid-market exchange rate - or consider an alternative like a travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, which gives access to mid-market rate currency conversion with low, transparent fees.
Tips for finding the best currency exchange rates in Manchester
Here are a few extra tips to help you when exchanging currency in Manchester:
Use a currency converter to find the live mid-market rate for your currency and look for a provider offering this rate or close to it
Check if it’s cheaper to order your currency online for collection - you can sometimes get a better rate this way
Bear in mind that there may be a fee to pay if you buy foreign currency with a credit card, either from the provider or from your card issuer
Compare as many options as possible across both fees and rates to make sure you get a fair deal
Check out online currency converters or mobile apps to stay updated on current exchange rates - or use the Exiap currency conversion tools to keep on top of the rates available conveniently
Consider online alternatives such as Wise and Revolut, for travel money cards you can use for free or low cost ATM withdrawals in the UK and abroad
Where to get foreign currency outside the UK
It’s worth planning your travel money in advance so you know you’ve got easy access to the funds you need, in the currency wherever you’re headed.
You don’t necessarily have to change money in advance of travel. Instead you might want to get a multi-currency card from a service like Revolut or Wise before you leave, to add money in pounds for spending overseas. You’ll often find you can get currency exchange with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees, to do more with your travel budget while you’re away.
Prefer to convert cash in your destination? While airports, hotels or banks often offer currency exchange services, they may not have the best rates or fees. Picking a currency exchange provider in a popular area where there’s a lot of competition can mean you get a better deal - shop around if you can, so you know you’re not getting ripped off.
How do I exchange currency after a trip?
If you have foreign currency cash left over from a previous trip you may be able to sell your higher value foreign currency notes - as long as they’re undamaged and clean - at the UK exchange service where you originally bought them. Be aware that the rate to convert back may not be as good as the one you bought at, and fees may apply.
If you don’t want to lose out on fees when changing your money back to pounds, you could also use a digital multi-currency account from a service like Wise or Revolut. Just add money in pounds, and then withdraw local currency cash at your destination as and when you need to. If you have pounds left at the end of your trip you can withdraw back to your bank, make payments to others, or even take out cash in pounds at a UK ATM instead.
FAQs - best places to exchange currency in Manchester
What is the cheapest way to get foreign currency in Manchester ?
There’s no single cheapest way to get foreign currency in Manchester. Shop around, looking carefully at fees and rates, which can vary widely. Use the tools and reviews on Exiap, to help you find a good provider for your specific needs.
Should I exchange money before I travel?
It’s not usually necessary to change money to your destination currency before you travel. A better option may be to get a multi-currency account and card from a service like Wise or Revolut, and just make cash withdrawals in your destination when you need to. That’s convenient and safe, and can mean you pay less overall, too.
Does it matter where you exchange currency?
Yes. Use a currency exchange service with good rates and low fees to have more to spend in foreign currency when you’re away. Do some research into the best options for your needs, including exchanging cash and using a specialist travel money card instead.
What is the best reloadable prepaid card?
There’s no single best reloadable prepaid debit card. Use this guide to compare a few options to pick the one that’s right for you, thinking about features, fees and the range of supported currencies you’ll need.