Pounds, Euros or Travelers Checks?

Question

Should I convert my US dollars to Euros and/or Pounds before I travel to London next week? If I loose Euros or Pounds can they be replaced like travelers checks? Or is it better to convert $ to Euros or Pounds when I get there? And is the queen's picture on London's currency?

Answer 1

Pounds.

And no, if they are stolen they are gone, just like dollars.

The best way to get local currency so far has been to use an ATM when you get to your destination.  There are several in Heathrow airport.  That way you get the current exchange rate, and don't have to pay the exchange fee at the currency exchange.

Answer 2

no ex-change because  it will cost you ,credit or debit card and  go to the ATM machines  it is a lot cheaper  and safer

Answer 3

Firstly, forget about Euros.  Euros are not the official currency of this country; our currency is the pound.  You have as much chance of having Euros accepted here as you would having them accepted in the US.

Secondly, it's not 'London's currency'.  London is a city and as in the US cities do not have their own currency.  London is in the UK and hence the currency is the UK pound.  And yes, all of our notes and coins have the Queen on (the notes are also different colours depending upon their value which will make them easier to use).

Thirdly, pounds can not be replaced like travelers cheques.  Pounds are cash, just like dollars - can dollars be replaced if they get stolen?  It's probably best to get your pounds before you come here as you will need money for things such as getting from the airport and dollars will not be accepted to cover the cost of this.

It's up to you as to whether or not you take cash or travelers cheques.  Most people that I know who go abroad only really take cash these days; travelers cheques seem somewhat old fashioned now.  Whenever I go somewhere I usually only take what cash I need for the day and leave the rest in the safe at the hotel.  Plus you can use credit/debit cards in most places so there really is no need to go around with vast amounts of cash on you.

Answer 4

You should not convert your total dollars planned for the journey. Euros and British pound are gone if stolen the same way as Dollars are. You don't have to worry about Euros, since they are no official currency in Great Britain. You should change a small amount into British pounds at your local bank, order them in advance if they don't have them on stock, so you're fine for the first things in London. Have the rest of your spending money either converted into traveller checks or just use your ATM card in Great Britain.

Of course show british notes the pictue of the queen.

See yourself

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterl...