Currency Exchange Calculator
Calculate how much foreign currency you get and compare exchange rates to find hidden fees. The mid-market rate is the 'real' rate — anything worse is a markup.
Getting the Best Exchange Rate
Mid-Market vs Bureau Rate
The mid-market rate (also called interbank rate) is the midpoint between buy and sell rates — the 'true' exchange rate with no markup. Every commercial exchange adds a spread of 2–8% plus possible fixed fees. This is how airports, banks, and hotels make profit on currency exchange.
Best Exchange Options
Best: specialist travel cards (Wise, Starling, Monzo) — charge close to mid-market rate. Good: online pre-order from currency specialists. Avoid: airport bureaux (4–8% spread), hotel desks (5–10%), and dynamic currency conversion at ATMs abroad (3–12%).
Avoiding Hidden Fees
Always choose to pay in the local currency when abroad — selecting your home currency activates 'dynamic currency conversion' which applies a poor rate at the terminal. ATMs abroad often show this option deliberately to extract extra fees.
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