If you plan to travel, you will most likely need the currency of the country you are traveling to, but currency exchange is not free. There are two types of costs that you should watch out for when exchanging your money in a foreign currency: foreign transaction fees and exchange rates, both of which affect the amount you pay for exchange.

Foreign exchange options include banks, ATMs, kiosks and exchange shops.

The "bank rate" website stated that the exchange rate can vary depending on where the transaction takes place. If the rate is lower, this means that you will get less currency in return, so here are the best ways to exchange foreign currencies and avoid exorbitant transaction fees.

Cash transfer before travel

Cash or "cash" is one of the simplest means of payment when traveling, but it is advisable to set a travel budget and estimate the amount of cash you will need for the trip before spending it so that the foreign currency does not increase in your possession later.

It is generally preferred to exchange currency before traveling, as you can do so in your bank as it is a safe and familiar option, as banks tend to offer the best exchange rates to their customers, so the exchange cost will be much lower than it would be for other options.

It is better to exchange currency before traveling in your bank, as it is a safe and familiar option (Getty Images)

ATM

When arriving in a foreign country, the best option is to look for an ATM. Some banks have ATMs connected to or affiliated with each other in other countries, so you can avoid paying fees charged by your financial institution for using an ATM outside their network.

It is also preferable to obtain larger amounts of cash from ATMs at once than to pay for multiple small withdrawals.

But financial safety must also be taken into account for fear of being stolen or losing a large amount of money from you after withdrawing it, while one way to avoid the risks of carrying cash is to use a credit card whenever possible to protect against fraud.

Debit and credit cards

When available, you can use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. The credit card issuer usually offers better exchange rates than many other options, and will avoid paying fees of up to 3% for foreign transactions.

It is important to note that not all types of credit cards are accepted in all countries, while Visa and MasterCard are the most accepted worldwide.

There are debit cards without foreign transaction fees. Paying for things with a debit card means you can avoid ATM fees while also getting better exchange rates. Even if the debit card charges a conversion fee, these fees can be lower than the fees charged on a debit card. regular credit.

The credit card issuer usually offers better exchange rates than many other options (Shutterstock)

Exchange shops

It is possible to resort to exchange shops to exchange money, but it is a mistake to deal with the first store you find, as exchange rates that vary from one place to another must be compared. On the other hand, try to avoid exchange offices spread in airports, as they offer the worst exchange rates.

And if you have foreign currency left after the end of your trip, the best option to exchange it for your local currency is to stick with your bank, as it is the most reliable to get the best rate. It will not be at an excellent price, but you will recover some of it instead of having unused money with you.