By Hanna · Updated October 10, 2026

Travel Currency Converter: Live Rates for 156 Currencies

Type an amount and pick two currencies to see the mid-market exchange rate, updated daily. You also see how much a typical bank card or airport exchange desk would cost you, plus a printable cheat sheet of common amounts for your trip. Free, no sign-up.

What you’d actually get

💡 When a card machine or ATM asks “pay in your home currency?”, choose the local currency. The “home currency” option often adds 3–8% on top.

Cheat sheet

Screenshot this before you go. It works offline, at markets and in taxis.

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Which Exchange Rate Does This Converter Use?

It shows the mid-market rate: the midpoint between what banks pay to buy and sell a currency. It’s the fairest rate there is, and the one you see on Google. Banks, cards and exchange desks add a markup on top, either as a worse rate or as a fee. Rates update once a day from an open exchange-rate feed.

How Do I Avoid Bad Exchange Rates Abroad?

  1. Always pay in the local currency. Say no when a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and it is almost always worse.
  2. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee. Many banks charge about 3% on every purchase abroad. Travel and multi-currency cards charge little or nothing.
  3. Skip airport exchange desks. They often give rates 8–15% worse than mid-market. Change only what you need for the first taxi, or use an ATM in town.
  4. Withdraw larger amounts, less often. ATM fees are usually per withdrawal, so a few big withdrawals cost less than many small ones.
  5. Check the rate before you shop. Keep this converter or your cheat sheet open, so you know a fair price at markets and taxis.

Should I Bring Cash or Use a Card When Traveling?

Use a card for most things and carry a small amount of cash as a backup. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Europe, the UK and big Asian cities. Cash still matters in markets, small towns, taxis and tips, especially in parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. Bring two cards from different banks, in case one gets blocked.

Planning a trip? Check entry rules with my visa checker, pack the right plug with the plug adapter checker, and set a budget with my monthly travel cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the mid-market exchange rate?

It is the midpoint between the buy and sell price of a currency on global markets. It's the fairest rate available and the one shown on Google. Banks and exchange desks usually give you a worse rate than this.

How often are the exchange rates updated?

Once a day. The converter loads the latest daily rates from an open exchange-rate feed each time you open the page.

Should I pay in my home currency or the local currency abroad?

Always choose the local currency. Paying in your home currency, known as dynamic currency conversion, lets the shop or ATM set its own rate, which is often 3-8% worse.

Is it cheaper to exchange money before I travel or when I arrive?

Usually neither is cheapest. Using a card with no foreign transaction fee, or withdrawing from a local ATM in town, generally beats exchange desks at home or at the airport.

Why is my bank's rate different from this converter?

This converter shows the mid-market rate with no markup. Your bank adds its own margin or a foreign transaction fee, often around 3%, which is why you get less.

How much cash should I bring when I travel?

Enough for your first day: a taxi, a meal and a small emergency buffer. Then rely on cards and withdraw cash locally as needed.

Does this converter work offline?

The page needs internet to load fresh rates. For offline use, screenshot the cheat sheet of common amounts before your trip.

Exchange rates come from the open exchange-api project (CC0), updated daily. They are for information only and may differ from the rate your bank gives you. Flag images: Twemoji, CC-BY 4.0.