Having just returned from a 'Stag do' in Budapest (which is another story!), I was surprised when I realised that I had been robbed blind on the exchange rates at Luton airport. I was given 275 Hungarian 'whatevers' to £1.00. However, while in Hungary, friends were achieving 315-320/£1 in hotels and high street exchange bureau's .

Am I better off changing £'s to Euro's in the UK or waiting until we arrive in Portugal? Where would be the best place to exchange £'s in CVO? Hmmm!

I find the best rate to be with Travelex at most airports. The rate on the day is very poor, but if you book on the internet and collect on departure, they seem to have the best rate in the uk. Current rate of 1.22 to the £.

Not good, but the best around, unless somebody can help with a better rate.

In Turkey we exchange our sterling (traveller's cheques or cash) in Mustafa's shop. He (and most of the shops in the village) give a better rate of exchange than any bank or bureau.

Do you know if Mustafah, or one of his many cousins has a branch shop in CVO ?

e-richard wrote:Do you know if Mustafah, or one of his many cousins has a branch shop in CVO ?

Yes but it's the Greek side of the family run by Uncle Takis Tenpercenton

I was over in Carvoeiro at the end of April and got 1.22 by getting money out of the hole in the wall. This I calculated after taking into account a small charge for drawing cash abroad.

Get a Nationwide Flex account they don't charge you to take money out abroad and you get the best rate of the day as a rule!

I agree about the Nationwide. I am having an ongoing arguement with NatWest about what they charge me to use my debit card in Portugal. I asked my Bank manager if his bank were the role model for that Nationwide advert where a fat slob northern Bank Manager joked about ripping people off for using their own account.

I told him that like the lady in the advert I would vote with my feet, and take my account of 30 years elsewhere.

He refunded my charges on a "one off" discretionary basis.

The best rate on the high street for currency is, of all people, Marks & Spencer, though Thos Cook will price match.

I tend to get my few Euros at the Post Office and then use credit cards in Portugal.

I don't care if it's a big hit - it's holiday money!!!!

Ian Lennox wrote:I don't care if it's a big hit - it's holiday money!!!!

The way I see it and the amount I got ripped off, I took out the entire staff of the Bureau de change for a p*ss up at the expense of my holiday money. I'm not usually that giving!

Due in cvo 6th June so I did a bit of googling and came up with 1.24 euro to the pound via currency express (ICE) - they deliver right to your door next day! - Travelex is a close second but my local airport is not on their list!

I find it best to change up in a bank in Portugal - they charge a fixed commission so the more you change the cheaper it is and the rate is always very good - far better than Travelex

OH and I have had Nationwide flex accounts for a few years now. All the odds and sods go into the account to provide spending money for holidays. Good exchange rate and no extra charges. If you are out there several times a year, then it is worth opening an account.