Best places to get Pound Sterlings in the US in 2024
If you have an overseas trip or vacation coming up, planning your travel money in advance can save you time and money. This guide walks through the best available options to buy Pound Sterlings in the United States, whether you want cash in your wallet before you leave, or prefer to spend with a card.
We’ll look at how to pick the right method for you, what it might cost, and how to get the best available Pound Sterling exchange rate.
Find the cheapest ways to get Pound Sterling
Order your Wise card for 9 USD*, have it delivered to your door in just 14 - 21 business days. Enjoy mid-market rates and low transparent fees for spending in 150+ countries worldwide.
Some major US banks offer currency exchange for customers, covering a broad range of foreign currencies. Bear in mind that you may need an active checking account with the bank to access this service, and you’ll need to order in advance in most cases
We do not compare all available providers in the market. Our results are sorted by default from the lowest USD cost to you to the highest USD cost to you and you may choose to sort results according to other criteria. We may receive a referral fee if you choose one of these providers, but that won’t affect the ranking of the provider, the exchange rates or any fees you are charged.
*Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for most up to date information.
**Average margin versus the mid-market exchange rate of 129 individual quotes from 9 travel money providers, collected on 30/05/2024.
Best ways to buy Pound Sterlings
- Wise
Spend and withdraw cash in 150+ countries with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees - Banks & Currency Exchanges
Some major US banks offer currency exchange for their customers in a broad range of currencies, but might need to order in advance
Where to exchange USD to GBP
You’ve got a few different options if you need to buy GBP in the United States. Depending on what’s most convenient for you, you may choose to order online for delivery, or to pick-up in person at a branch. You may be able to buy your travel money from a bank, or from a currency exchange office or at the airport. For convenient travel without needing to carry a lot of cash with you, you could also get your GBP travel card before you leave, to spend and withdraw when you’re away.
Get a Pound Sterling travel money card
Buy a travel money card from a provider like Wise, top up in US Dollars, spend and make withdrawals conveniently on your trip. The Wise card has a one time 9 USD fee, and can be used with mid-market rates and low, transparent fees, in 150+ countries.
- Secure way to manage your money abroad
- Use ATMs to get cash little and often
- Top up and manage your account and card with just your phone
Order Pound Sterlings online for delivery
Order your travel money online with a service like Xchange of America or CXI, and have it delivered to your home conveniently. Currency conversion and delivery fees apply - some currencies can be dispatched very quickly if you pay with a debit or credit card.
- Get your foreign cash without leaving home
- Some services offer expedited delivery
- Have Pound Sterlings in your pocket before your trip
Buy Pound Sterlings in person
Get your travel money instantly in a branch of CXI, or order in advance for collection in person at a bank like Wells Fargo. It may take time for your payment to clear and for your currency to be available.
- Some banks allow account holders to buy foreign currency
- Specialists like CXI hold most currencies in stock
- Avoid delivery fees
How to get Pound Sterlings in the US
You’ve got lots of choices if you need to buy Pound Sterlings before leaving the United States. Shopping around can mean you get the very best available deal for your specific needs and preferences - this guide is here to help.
Use our comparison table to find the best solution to get GBP in the United States:
- Enter the amount you need into the comparison tool
- Review the available rates and fees
- Decide between getting a travel card, ordering online, or buying in person
- Choose a provider based on the available options and deals
Safe and convenient way to spend and withdraw money abroad
Get a Pound Sterling travel money card
You can order a travel money card like Wise or Revolut in the United States, add money in USD and use your balance to purchase Pound Sterlings within your multi-currency account.
You’ll then be free to spend your Pound Sterlings when you have enough balance with no extra fees once you arrive at your destination - you can also make ATM withdrawals whenever you need some cash. If you have travel money left after your vacation you can convert back to USD instantly for use at home - or just leave your balance ready for your next trip.
- Secure, cheap, and easy to use
- Exchange instantly or let your card do it when you pay
- Use a digital card even before your physical card arrives
Travel money cards like the Wise card offer great rates, cheap fees, and flexibility to manage your money with your phone.
| Provider | Fees for spending | ATM cash withdrawals | Exchange rates | Delivery | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wise card | No fee to spend a currency you hold enough balance in | 2 withdrawals to 100 USD/month free, then 1.5 USD + 2% | Mid-market rate Currency conversion from 0.35% | 14 - 21 days Virtual card available instantly | |
 Revolut card | No fee to spend a currency you hold enough balance in | Some no fee withdrawals to plan limits | Some no fee weekday conversion to plan limits Fair usage fees apply after that | 7 - 8 days Virtual card available instantly |
How to buy Pound Sterlings with a travel money card
- Register an account with a provider like Wise
- Get verified and order your card
- Your physical card will be delivered by mail in 14-21 business days
- Top up your card online, for free
- Buy GBP in your account or let your card auto-convert with the mid-market exchange rate
Get foreign currency delivered to your door
Order Pound Sterlings online for delivery
Some providers allow you to order Pound Sterlings online and have your cash delivered to your door. This can be a convenient service as long as someone will be available to sign for your delivery. It also removes the risk that you show up at an exchange office only to discover that the currency you need isn’t available. Providers offer a broad range of currencies for delivery, with varying fees and exchange rates.
- No need to visit a physical store to get your travel money
- Providers stock a broad range of currencies
- Some services can get your money to you in just a day or two
| Provider | Fees | Exchange rates | Delivery | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.95 USD transfer fee | Exchange rates may include a markup | 17 USD - 27 USD delivery Orders ship 2 days after payment has arrived, card orders may ship on the same day | ||
| CXI | Varied fees - price matching may be available in some locations | Exchange rates may include a markup | Varied fees Some orders can be dispatched for next business day delivery |
How to order Pound Sterlings online for delivery
1. Open the CXI website and select the option to buy for delivery
2. Enter the amount or value of Pound Sterlings you want to buy
3. Pay using a card or select and alternative like bank transfer
4. Enter your shipping address to get a delivery quote
5. Someone must be present to sign for the delivery when it arrives
Order Pound Sterlings ahead and collect in branch
Buy Pound Sterlings at the bank
Some banks allow you to exchange money in a branch location. The processes and eligibility rules here do vary quite a lot. In some cases you’ll need to already hold an account with the bank you pick, for example. Plus you’ll usually need to order your travel money in advance as banks don’t tend to hold a high level of stock of foreign currencies. Some banks support buy back services so you can sell your unused travel money back - but you might get a different exchange rate for this, which means you could get back less than you spent in the first place.
- Where banks offer travel money services they cover most global currencies
- You’ll often be able to order online for branch collection
- Buy back services may be available for leftover travel money
| Provider | Fees | Exchange rates | Locations | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varying fees depending on the service required | Exchange rates may include a markup | Major branches of Wells Fargo - call ahead to check availability |
How to buy Pound Sterlings in bank
- Log into your online banking service and navigate the the travel money section
- Enter the amount of foreign currency you need to buy
- Pay from your bank account or using a card
- You’ll be shown when your money can be collected
- Go to your preferred branch to collect your Pound Sterlings in person
Pay in cash and collect your Pound Sterlings instantly
Foreign currency exchange offices
Another option is to buy your Pound Sterlings in person at an exchange office. To do this all you’ll need to do is pick the exchange office that’s most convenient to you, and head in with some cash in US Dollars. Some exchange offices also accept card payments. Currency exchange offices set their own exchange rates and fees, so shopping around is essential - but this method does have the advantage that it’s usually instant to get the travel money you need.
- Exchange rates are likely to include a markup - a fee
- Not all currencies are stocked by all exchange services
- You may lose out when you sell back unused travel money
Purchase Pound Sterlings on arrival, higher fees might apply
Buy Pound Sterlings at the airport
If you’ve left your planning a little late you still have the option to buy Pound Sterlings at the airport in many cases. Most major airports have one or more currency exchange desks catering to travelers - bear in mind though that you won’t have a huge range of choice here which can mean that the fees are higher than in a city center location.
- Exchange rates usually include a markup - which can be high
- Not all airports have currency exchange services available
- Little competition can mean the prices overall are pretty steep
How to get the best USD to GBP exchange rate
There’s no single best provider when it comes to exchange rates. Different services set their own rates which may vary based on the currency, the amount you want to exchange, how you want to pay, and whether you’re exchanging money in a digital account or for physical cash.
To compare your options it helps to understand a bit about the mid-market exchange rate. That’s the rate you’ll see for USD to GBP exchange if you use an online currency converter tool or a Google search. The mid-market rate is commonly used as a benchmark as it’s the one quoted on wholesale markets. However, banks and exchange services don’t usually pass this rate on directly. Instead they add an extra fee to the rate offered to retail customers - known as a markup.
This means that looking for a service which has transparent exchange rates which are the same as - or close to - the mid-market exchange rates is a good idea. You can compare a few live exchange rates for popular providers using the Exiap tools, to find the best Pound Sterling exchange rate based on the specific transaction you want to make.
Here’s what to do to find the best USD to GBP exchange rate:
- Enter the amount you need into the comparison tool
- Review the options available, looking at the exchange rate for US Dollars to Pound Sterlings in particular
- Decide between getting a travel card, ordering online, or in person
- Choose a provider based on the available options and deals
| Provider | Exchange rate | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.7978 Mid-market rate 0% | Go to site |
Where can you use Pound Sterlings?
You’ll only be able to use your Pound Sterlings for spending in United Kingdom. Normally, Pound Sterlings won’t be accepted elsewhere, so if you have any left after your trip you might want to convert them back to US Dollars to spend at home.
How much money do I need for the United Kingdom?
Your budget for a trip to the United Kingdom can vary enormously depending on what you’re planning to do, where you’ll stay and how long you’re going to be there. It’s worth setting yourself a budget in Pound Sterlings well in advance so you can plan around that. The most expensive costs of any trip are usually accommodation and activities, but do remember to also take into account costs of currency exchange, food and transport, as well as incidentals like tipping.
Average hotel costs in the United Kingdom do vary a lot but can start from around $190. On top of that you’ll need to budget for food, at around $46 per meal. If you’re looking for an easy life you could also choose to take an organized tour which means there’s no need to plan all your activities individually. Or, set your budget to cover about $34 per day to make sure you can get the most from your trip.
| Spending | Costs in United Kingdom | Amount in US Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £152 | $190 |
| Transportation | £29 | $36 |
| Meals | £37 | $46 |
| Entertainment | £27 | $34 |
Country costs provided by BudgetYourTrip. Correct as of 25 April 2024.
Buy Pound Sterlings FAQs
Is it better to get Pound Sterlings in the US or the United Kingdom?
You can buy Pound Sterlings before you travel, or on arrival if you’d prefer. Which works best will come down to the fees and exchange rates you can find both locally and when you get to your destination. One disadvantage of buying Pound Sterlings when you arrive is that you’ll waste time looking for exchange offices - while taking all your cash with you isn’t necessarily a smart choice for safety. As an alternative, getting a travel money card from a service like Wise could be a good bet for flexibility, security and cost.
Can I get Pound Sterlings at a bank?
Whether or not you can get Pound Sterlings from your bank will depend on several factors - including who you bank with. Some banks do allow account holders to purchase Pound Sterlings in person but you might need to order Pound Sterlings online in advance and wait for your order to be prepared before you can collect.
Because Pound Sterlings are a commonly traded currency you might find your bank has them in stock if they offer travel money services. Call in advance to ask if they have Pound Sterlings on hand to avoid a wasted trip.
Can I get Pound Sterlings at the airport?
Many major airports have currency exchange desks which stock major currencies for instant conversion. You may also be able to order money in advance for collection. However, it’s useful to know that a lack of local competition can mean that prices are high at the airport, with exchange rate markups adding to the overall cost significantly.
As Pound Sterlings are commonly needed by travelers, you may find you can get some instantly at the airport. However, it’s worth checking in advance to make sure you don’t end up stuck without travel money.
How long does it take to get Pound Sterlings?
How long it takes to sort out your travel money can depend a lot on the method you choose - here’s a quick summary:
- Travel cards can take 7 - 21 days to be delivered, but you may be able to start using a virtual card instantly for mobile payments
- Home delivery services could dispatch common currencies on the same day as order, for overnight delivery, but may take 4-5 days for some currencies and payment methods
- Bank currency exchange can involve placing an order in advance and waiting 2 - 7 days before you can collect it, particularly for uncommon currencies
- Foreign currency exchange offices in cities and at the airport can offer instant conversion if they have the currency you need in stock
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