Independent Review · National branch network
Post Office Travel Money
Operated by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd (FCA authorised EMI, FRN 900412). The largest branch network in the UK at 11,000+ locations including ~3,000 open seven days a week. Rates are competitive within the national network segment but trail online specialists by a meaningful margin.
11,000+ locations FCA EMI 900412 Home delivery First Rate operator
GBP/EUR rate today
1.1124
Live from data feed
€ for £500 today
€556.20
Before delivery fee
Free delivery from
£500
Below: £4.99
Locations
11,000+
~3,000 open 7 days
6.8 / 10 PSL Travel Money Score
Verdict: Unbeatable convenience, but pay a meaningful rate premium for it
The Post Office has one clear, decisive advantage: ubiquity. With 11,000+ branches, it is accessible to virtually every UK resident, and around 3,000 are open on Sundays. For many travellers picking up last-minute cash, it is simply the most convenient option. However, the rate premium is real: at 1.1124 GBP/EUR today, it delivers €556.20 for £500, versus €567.85 at TravelFX – a €11.65 gap. On £1,000 that is roughly €23 left behind. The Post Office's FCA EMI status (via First Rate Exchange Services, FRN 900412) is a genuine differentiator – it is one of only three cash providers on this comparison page with FCA authorisation for e-money services (alongside John Lewis/Waitrose and Wise).
Post Office Rates Today – Major Currencies Updated 15:33 BST · 29 Apr 2026
| Currency | Post Office rate | Received · £500 | vs TravelFX | vs interbank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR – Euro | 1.1124 | 556.20 | −€11.65 | −476 bps |
| USD – US Dollar | 1.3096 | 654.80 | −$13.50 | −490 bps |
| AUD – Australian Dollar | 1.9099 | 954.95 | −A$28.50 | −520 bps |
| TRY – Turkish Lira | 48.4120 | 24,206.00 | −₺555 | −500 bps |
| AED – UAE Dirham | 4.6206 | 2,310.30 | −AED 66 | −460 bps |
Rates are indicative and update continuously. Interbank mid-market rates sourced from PSL data feed. Firm rates must be obtained from Post Office directly before transacting.
Fees & Delivery
🚚 Home Delivery
Order £500+ Free
Below £500 £4.99
Delivery timing Next working day
Airport branch rate Same as online – order online first
🌐 Click & Collect
Locations 11,000+ branches
Open Sundays ~3,000 locations
EUR/USD same-day Yes – most larger branches
Small branches Limited stock – pre-order recommended
💳 Payment & Card
Debit card ✓ No fee
Commission None
Travel Money Card Post Office multi-currency prepaid
Card currencies Multiple
🔄 Buyback
Buyback Yes – in-branch
Online buyback Not available
Min buyback Check local branch
Pros & Cons
✓ Advantages
✓
FCA authorised EMI (First Rate Exchange Services, FRN 900412) – strongest regulatory status of national network providers✓
11,000+ branches – accessible to virtually all UK residents✓
~3,000 branches open 7 days a week including Sundays✓
Free delivery above £500 – lower threshold than Eurochange (£600)✓
Online rate is the same as in-branch rate when collected in-branch✓
Multi-currency prepaid travel card available✗ Disadvantages
✗
Worst rate of the cash network providers on GBP/EUR – €11.65 less than TravelFX per £500✗
Rate typically 476 bps below interbank – meaningful spread✗
Small Post Office branches may not stock all currencies for same-day✗
No dedicated currency specialist staff in smaller branchesPSL Rating Breakdown
⚠️ Regulatory clarity note: The "Regulatory clarity" score reflects the level of consumer protection and transparency PSL considers available to customers. A lower score does not mean the provider is illegal or unsafe for typical transactions, but indicates that FCA consumer protection rules do not fully apply to the currency purchase itself.
6.8 / 10 Overall PSL Travel Money Score
Who Is Post Office For?
✅ Best for
Travellers who need currency urgently and have a Post Office nearby. The FCA EMI status is also relevant for those who specifically want FCA-authorised provider protections. For anyone ordering online with sufficient lead time, the rate difference versus TravelFX is too large to justify.❌ Not ideal for
Rate-conscious travellers ordering online – the €11.65 per £500 difference versus TravelFX is purely a rate issue and there is no service benefit to justify it for online orders. Order from TravelFX or Currency Online Group and receive next-day delivery at a better rate.Post Office – Questions & Answers
Is Post Office Travel Money FCA regulated?
Yes – the travel money operation is run by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, an FCA Authorised Electronic Money Institution (FRN 900412). This is one of the strongest regulatory positions of any travel money provider on this page, shared with John Lewis/Waitrose (same operator) and Wise.
Why is the Post Office rate worse than TravelFX?
Post Office rates are set by First Rate Exchange Services, a joint venture with Bank of Ireland. Operating 11,000+ branches has significant overhead costs which are partly recovered through wider rate spreads. The convenience premium is genuine – for same-day access across the UK, the Post Office has no rival in terms of reach.
Is the online Post Office rate better than in-branch?
Yes, in most cases. Ordering online and selecting click & collect at your local branch typically gives a better rate than simply walking in and buying over the counter. Always order online first.
Does the Post Office offer a travel card?
Yes – the Post Office offers a multi-currency prepaid travel card in addition to physical cash. The card allows you to load multiple currencies and spend abroad. Check the Post Office website for current rates and supported currencies.