Planning a trip abroad and wondering where to get your travel money? The Post Office probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind, but it’s one of the most convenient options in the UK, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. With over 60 currencies available at UK branches and zero commission on many transactions, it’s worth knowing exactly how the process works before you queue up.
Currencies at UK Post Office: 60+ ·
An Post commission: 0% ·
Delivery options: Home delivery or branch collection ·
An Post Currency Card currencies: Up to 15 ·
Isle of Man Post Office commission: 0%
Quick snapshot
- UK Post Office offers travel money for over 60 currencies (Post Office UK (official service))
- An Post in Ireland charges 0% commission on foreign currency (An Post Ireland (national postal service))
- Isle of Man Post Office also offers 0% commission (Isle of Man Post Office (island postal authority))
- Whether all local branches offer foreign currency exchange at every counter
- Exact spreads applied to interbank rates at the Post Office
- Availability of less common currencies on demand
- Order online before 2pm for next-day branch collection (Post Office UK (service policy))
- MoneyGram cash pickup can be within minutes (Wise (financial comparison site))
- More branches may offer currency exchange as demand recovers post-pandemic
- Digital currency cards (e.g., An Post Currency Card) expected to expand
Travellers who order online often lock in better rates than walk-in customers, and zero-commission offers from An Post and Isle of Man Post Office can save £10–£20 on a typical €500 exchange compared to airport bureaux.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| UK Post Office currencies | 60+ |
| An Post commission | 0% |
| An Post Currency Card | Up to 15 currencies |
| Isle of Man Post Office commission | 0% |
| Order online availability | Yes, with home delivery or pick-up |
Can I exchange currency at the Post Office?
Yes — the Post Office in the UK, Ireland, and the Isle of Man all offer foreign currency exchange services. In the UK, you can exchange cash over the counter at thousands of branches, and the official Post Office Travel Money page confirms that over 60 currencies are available (Post Office UK (official service)).
Does the Post Office exchange foreign cash?
Yes, and you can also convert leftover foreign cash back into pounds. The Post Office UK says more than 2,500 branches can swap leftover currency without requiring the original receipt, though smaller branches may ask for it (Post Office UK (retail policy)).
Does the Irish Post Office do currency exchange?
An Post, the Irish national postal service, offers foreign currency exchange at local post offices with zero commission. They also provide a Currency Card that supports up to 15 currencies in a single card (An Post Ireland (national postal service)).
Not every branch may offer walk-in exchange — some smaller An Post offices only handle cash services at certain times. Check ahead to avoid disappointment.
Does the Post Office exchange foreign cash?
Already covered above – but to reiterate: you can exchange foreign cash at the Post Office. The process is straightforward: hand over your notes, and the counter staff will convert them to sterling (or euros in Ireland) using the day’s rate.
How much is €100 in pounds?
Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so the exact amount varies. You can check current rates on the Post Office website or through a reliable currency converter like XE. For real-time comparisons, see our guide to 1 Pounds in Rupees: Live GBP to INR Rate — while it focuses on INR, it shows how live rates work.
How much is 1 euro to 1 pound today?
Using a recent example, if the Post Office rate is 0.85 GBP per EUR, then €1 = £0.85. However, the interbank mid-market rate may be around 0.83, meaning the Post Office margin is roughly 2–3 percentage points (XE (live currency data)).
How much is €100 right now?
At a Post Office rate of 0.85, €100 = £85. But if you order online, you might get a slightly better rate. Check the Post Office’s own currency calculator before you buy.
Can you just walk into the Post Office and get euros?
Yes, you can walk into most Post Office branches and exchange cash over the counter. No appointment needed. However, ordering online often gives you a better exchange rate and guarantees availability (Post Office UK (official guidance)).
How to order foreign currency online from the Post Office
- Visit the Post Office Travel Money page and select your desired currency.
- Choose the amount (no minimum, but larger amounts often qualify for better rates).
- Select home delivery (next working day) or branch collection.
- For branch collection, search by town or postcode and pick a branch marked “Today” for same‑day pickup if ordered before 2pm.
- Pay by debit card (credit cards may incur a cash‑advance fee).
- Collect your cash at the chosen branch or receive it at your door.
If you miss the 2pm cut-off, you can still collect in person at a branch (Post Office UK (service policy)).
What currencies can I exchange at the Post Office?
- Euro (EUR) – available at almost all branches
- US Dollar (USD) – widely stocked
- Australian, Canadian, New Zealand dollars
- Swiss Franc, Japanese Yen, Turkish Lira, and many more – over 60 currencies online
Post Office Travel Money (full currency list)
Where can I exchange currency in Ireland?
The best option is An Post, which has branches nationwide offering 0% commission foreign currency exchange. You can also use AIB bank branches, but they may charge a fee or require an account.
Post Office currency exchange Ireland
An Post’s service is available at over 900 post offices across the Republic. You can also load a prepaid Currency Card with up to 15 currencies at once, useful for multi‑destination trips (An Post Ireland (national postal service)).
AIB currency exchange as alternative
AIB offers foreign currency to account holders, often with no commission but with a margin on the rate. Non‑customers may face a fee. Compare both options before you travel.
“Get our best exchange rates online on over 60 currencies” – Post Office UK Travel Money page
“Exchange foreign currency in Ireland without commission” – An Post Ireland Foreign Currency page
“0% commission on all foreign currencies” – Isle of Man Post Office Foreign Currency page
Does the Post Office charge commission on currency exchange?
Not always — and it depends where you are. An Post and Isle of Man Post Office both advertise 0% commission. The UK Post Office also offers commission‑free online orders, though the exchange rate itself includes a built‑in margin (Post Office UK (official policy)).
Is there a fee for using Post Office currency exchange?
No separate fee is charged for exchanging cash. However, home delivery may incur a small postage charge if you order a low amount, and refunds for Travel Money Cards require calling the card issuer, not the branch (Post Office UK (refund policy)).
How does the Post Office rate compare to banks?
Post Office rates are typically competitive with high‑street banks but slightly worse than online‑only providers like Wise. The gap is often 1–3% on the interbank rate. For small amounts the difference is negligible; for £500+ it can add up.
Convenience costs: Walk‑in rates at the Post Office are usually 2–4% above the mid‑market rate, while online‑order rates are closer to 1–2%. If you plan ahead, ordering online saves real money.
Step-by-step: How to exchange money at the Post Office
- Decide: Will you order online or walk in? Online usually gives better rates.
- Check rates: Visit the Post Office travel money page or use XE for comparison.
- Order online: Select currency, amount, delivery/collection option, and pay.
- Collect or receive: If collection, go to the branch with your order reference and ID.
- Walk-in: Bring cash or debit card, ask for the currency you need — no order needed.
- After travel: Swap leftover cash back at the Post Office (2500+ branches accept without receipt).
tfx.treasury.gov, remitly.com, paysend.com, usps.com, usps.com, frbservices.org
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange currency at the Post Office without an account?
Yes, you don’t need a bank account. Simply walk in with cash or a debit card. No account required.
Is it cheaper to exchange currency at the Post Office or at the airport?
The Post Office is almost always cheaper than airport bureaux, which often charge 5–10% margins on rates. Post Office rates are typically 2–4% above interbank, and often 0% commission.
How long does it take for a home delivery currency order?
Next working day if ordered before 2pm (Monday–Friday). Weekend orders arrive on Monday.
Can I exchange foreign coins back to pounds at the Post Office?
Only banknotes are accepted for buyback. Coins are generally not exchanged. Some charities accept foreign coins.
Does the Post Office accept traveler’s checks?
No, the Post Office no longer issues or cashes traveler’s checks. Use a prepaid travel card instead.
What is the maximum amount of currency I can exchange at the Post Office?
There is no strict upper limit, but large amounts (over £2,000 equivalent) may require advance notice for cash availability.
Do I need to bring ID to exchange currency at the Post Office?
Not usually for small amounts, but for orders over £1,000 or when using a debit card, a photo ID may be requested.
Can I cancel a currency order from the Post Office?
Yes, but cancellation policies differ. Online orders can be refunded at a Post Office branch that sells foreign currency. Travel Money Card refunds require a phone call to the card issuer.
For most travellers, the Post Office offers the best balance of convenience and cost — especially if you order online. The zero‑commission offers from An Post and Isle of Man Post Office make them the clear choice in their respective regions. For UK travellers, the decision is simple: order online for a better rate, pick up in branch, and avoid the airport mark‑up. If you’re sending money abroad, explore MoneyGram or Western Union through the Post Office, but be aware that bank‑to‑bank transfers from specialist providers like Wise may undercut them for larger sums.
Jack Henry Morgan Howard is the Founding Editor and a staff writer at DailyBrief UK, covering UK news, politics and business. He works to the newsroom's sourcing and fact-checking standards under Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Whitcombe, so that every briefing is concise, accurate and clearly attributed.