Many of us do not consider buying our travel money until a week or two before we go abroad. Although it is often hard to remember everything on your holiday to-do list, you may find that you’re not getting the best deal on your currency exchange by leaving it until the last minute. If you start looking out for your travel money at least a few weeks before you go, you might have more chance of getting a discounted rate; leaving more pennies to spend on your holiday wardrobe instead!
We’ve put together a guide detailing four easy steps to getting your travel money at the best price…

Step one: Get online
Gone are the days where we have to queue in seemingly never-ending lines in order to buy Euros or Lira. Now we can use the internet in order to find great deals on our currency, but only on trustworthy sites. Well recognised brands should be your only considerations, as all other transactions online should be. Look out for the padlock symbol, displaying it as a secure site. If you can see “https” in the URL at the checkout stage, this can be another indication of a reputable site.

Step two: Give yourself time
Whether you are planning on exchanging £100 or more than £1,000, you want to know you are getting the best deal. If you were buying a new television, would you go for the first one you found, or would you see if you could get it cheaper elsewhere? Chances are you would opt for choice number two, especially during these times of economic instability. Allowing a few weeks to explore the market may be a good idea for your travel money budget too.

Step three: Compare the market
Following on from step two, you can compare the market to see if you can find the best prices. Keep in mind that comparison websites will not always give you the best price as some companies are not listed on them. Look for price guarantees such as the one available on Travelex.co.uk, which promise to refund the difference if you find a cheaper rate elsewhere. You may notice the exchange rate changing on an hourly basis, so find a graph to see if the rate is improving or going downhill.

Step four: Take the plunge
Once you’ve found who is likely to get you the best price for your travel money, go ahead and take the plunge. If you have found a deal online, find out whether you can have your currency delivered to your door, or whether you can pick it up in the store. If you want to personally collect your travel money in a bureau de change, remember that you can often get a better price by buying it online first. Once you’ve ironed out the details, you’ll be free to spend your travel money on a memorable holiday!