Best way to get Euro cash into my UK account?

[anonymousposter]

I have about 500 Euros in cash.

Is it best to exchange into GBP in cash then pay into my account? Or direct into my account? Can this be done with a regular high st account.

For info I am based in central London.

[hairykrishna]

You should be able to pay it straight into your account; I've never had a problem - I'm with HSBC.

[MikeDH]

Really? I've got the same situation, would make it easier than messing about changing it.

Although I might just keep hold of it for next time I'm in Europe...

[Neil_H]

I think you would be charged commission if you just paid it straight into your account? I would check beforehand, it could work out cheaper to convert it first at a 0% commission place and then pay it in.

[PapaHett]

I paid €90 straight into my bank account, xe.com were telling me I would get about £84.. Turned out the bank gave me about £74.

[nonuts]

Depending on the rate when you got it, I'd be tempted to keep it out of the back for next time you go back.

[Neil_H]

When converting currency online, make sure you're being quoted the tourist rate and not the interbank rate, as they will be quite different.

[robodonkey2005]

Euro exchange rate is good (for buying STG) at the moment no?
Unless you think the rate is going to get worse (or better - depends who you are!) I'd cash in now!

[nonuts]

robodonkey2005 said:

Euro exchange rate is good (for buying STG) at the moment no?
Unless you think the rate is going to get worse (or better - depends who you are!) I'd cash in now!

Yep, but if he's ever planning on going back to europe and bought when it was 1.2 or higher then he's most likely best off keeping it unless he needs the money.

[Stu 9-5]

I'm in a similar situation, got about €8000 in a Euro account that I'm due to close soon.

What's the easiest/most effective way of releasing the cash bck to my UK current account?

[spikeyhead]

Stu 9-5 said:

I'm in a similar situation, got about €8000 in a Euro account that I'm due to close soon.

What's the easiest/most effective way of releasing the cash bck to my UK current account?

For that amount, caxtons or a similar specialist forex place will be worth it

[Stu 9-5]

Caxton's - I'll take a look.

Thanks.

Might be more like 10k in there, same advice still apply?

[spikeyhead]

Stu 9-5 said:

Caxton's - I'll take a look.

Thanks.

Might be more like 10k in there, same advice still apply?

No, that's enough to waste on coke and hookers

[bigfatnick]

Last year my dad was working in chicago, he used www.xe.com/fx (after a LOT of research) and its by far the cheapest way (that the world biggest googlegeek, obsessed by researching everything to the n'th degree could find) of shifting money, he shifted a large amount (no idea how much, but i imagine it was in the 10's of £K's region) with no problems, you get the xe.com rate, not the bullst rate the bank pluck out of the air.

This year my brother was worknig in canada, he pulled about £1500 back through it and he had no problems with it either.

Edited by bigfatnick on Friday 6th November 01:45

[dutch paul]

For the OP, 500 Euros. The best return is if you exchange for £ over the counter in the post office then pay into your bank account. On average the PO gives the best high street rate for changing Euros for £`s - better than high street banks.
For larger amounts then I`m not sure.

[anonymousposter]

I didn't buy the Euros, they were given to me.

I'm thinking some of the tourist bureau de changes around Tottenham Court Road might have better Sterling Buy rates than the Post Office?

[Neil_H]

anonymousposter said:

I didn't buy the Euros, they were given to me.

I'm thinking some of the tourist bureau de changes around Tottenham Court Road might have better Sterling Buy rates than the Post Office?

I seriously doubt that, when has anything aimed at tourists been cheaper than for locals? They will probably charge commission as well, the Post Office don't (M&S also don't).