buy foreign currency and travellers cheques : belfast airport
You can buy foreign currency and travellers cheques online and get great rates and no commission, or you can buy it at the airport, not get as good rates and pay commission. That's the basic choice.
[See this summer 2005 news article on how bad the rates and charges at airports can be].
Buying Foreign Currency Online
You can buy your currency online via a number of foreign exchange companies. Each time we check the rates, including commission and delivery charges, we find that Onlinefx, Travelex and the Post Office are the most competitive.
With Onlinefx, if you buy it via a website called www.1stholidaystore.co.uk and pay via a debit card, the currency is delivered free as well as commission free. If you order by 12:30. your currency can be delivered to your home or your work by 17:30 the next day. (NB: If paying with Switch, Delta and Solo cards, type "free delivery" in the Promotion / ID box at payment stage.)
With Travelex you need to give 48 hours notice, but you can collect your currency from the airport if they have a desk there (as they do at both of Belfast's airports). And with the Post Office you can pick between delivery, or you can pick your currency up at your local Post Office.
Buying Foreign Currency at Belfast International Airport
If you want to buy your currency at Belfast International Airport, Travelex have a desk on the first floor (departures) and in the airport departure lounge. Standard opening hours are from 05:00 until 21:00 Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 05:00 - 20:00 Wednesday, 05:00 - 22:30 Friday & Sunday and 05:00 - 23:00 Saturday. You can contact Travelex at Belfast International Airport on 028 9444 7500.
Buying Foreign Currency at Belfast City Airport
If you want to buy your currency at Belfast City airport, the choice is limited. There is one currency exchange bureau on the ground floor near the arrivals hall, next to the information desk. It is provided by Travelex and is open daily except Christmas Day.
Standard opening hours are from 06:00 until 20:00 Monday - Saturday and 07:00 - 20:00 Sunday. You can contact Travelex at Belfast City Airport on (028) 9088 7700
