Carolinian
TUG Member
Banks are generally better in airports and train stations than independemt exchange booths, but even some of them hit you harder than others on exchange rates and / or commissions. Some make money soley on the differential between buying and selling rates, while others also add a commission on top of lhat, so you really need to figure both factors in as to which is the best deal.
A good example of the difference in banks on foreign exchange at the airport has long been Zurich (it has been a couple of years since I flew through there so I do not know this is still true, but it has been for 20+ years). Different Swiss banks have offices that handle exchange in each of the terminals. The exchange rates are the same or close but the kicker is one adds on a hefty commission and the other does not. It has always been well worth walking to the other terminal to change dollars to Swiss francs without a commission. I also did not see any better exchange rate in the city away from the airport.
It is good to check the current mid-market interbank exchange rate on a site like xe.com shortly before leaving the US.
A good example of the difference in banks on foreign exchange at the airport has long been Zurich (it has been a couple of years since I flew through there so I do not know this is still true, but it has been for 20+ years). Different Swiss banks have offices that handle exchange in each of the terminals. The exchange rates are the same or close but the kicker is one adds on a hefty commission and the other does not. It has always been well worth walking to the other terminal to change dollars to Swiss francs without a commission. I also did not see any better exchange rate in the city away from the airport.
It is good to check the current mid-market interbank exchange rate on a site like xe.com shortly before leaving the US.