Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Spain: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
I was in Valencia last week and took out cash right after landing. I skipped the airport counter because the rates posted looked awful and there was a five euro flat fee on top of the bad exchange rate. I waited till I got into town and used a CaixaBank ATM with my Revolut card and got very close to the mid-market rate. Even with the ATM fee I saved money. So my advice is avoid exchanging cash at the airport in Spain unless you absolutely have to. ATMs from major banks are everywhere and work better as long as you decline the conversion option.
Landed in Seville two days ago and tested both out of curiosity. I exchanged 100 Canadian dollars at the airport exchange desk and got around 63 euros after all the hidden fees. Then I used an ING ATM in the city with my CIBC Visa and got almost 67 euros for the same amount. It’s not a huge difference but it adds up over a long trip. Plus the ATM was easier and quicker. As long as your card has no foreign transaction fees and you say no to ATM conversion Spain ATMs are the better deal by far
Arrived in Barcelona yesterday and needed cash for a taxi so I changed some money at the exchange kiosk inside Terminal 1. The rate was honestly terrible. They gave me something like 90 euros for 100 USD when the real rate was closer to 93 or 94. Later that evening I took out money from a Santander ATM using my French Mastercard debit and got way more value even after a 3 euro fee. If you want to save money definitely use the ATM. Just be careful to choose to be charged in euros not in your home currency or you get a bad rate again.
Just landed at Madrid Barajas Airport and I exchanged 100 pounds at the airport exchange booth thinking it would be quick and easy. They gave me 104 euros which I later found out was way below the current rate. The next day I used a BBVA ATM in central Madrid with my Monzo Visa card and got 115 euros for the same amount after fees. I definitely recommend skipping the airport counter unless you are desperate for a few euros. ATMs in Spain give a much better rate especially if you decline conversion when the machine asks.