Tourist living in UK needs bank account ?

[aleczar]

An 18 year old US student tourist living in UK at different locations (no fixed address) for several months is having cash value eaten up by ATM fees. What's the best bank for someone who will not maintain a large balance and needs access by ATM in small towns along the way... Best bank with low fees and many ATMs?

[stevie21]

You may not qualify for a current account with most banks unless you've lived here for 12 months.
Your best bet would either be to find a bank that doesn't have this requirement or ask the banks if you qualify for *any* account at all (savings account?) with a cash card facility.

Do you know of any other Americans in the same position who have got a way round this? Do you know of any UK residents willing to open a basic wee savings account in their name and let you use it?

[bookworm_1]

Try The Co-operative bank, Alliance & Leicester, Lloyds TSB these allow you to draw money from post offices as well as branches. The Co-operative do a Pathfinder account this allows you to use all link machines free and the account has no charges.

[aleczar]

Many thanks,  bookworm, for solid information I can really use.  i'll test your advice tomorrow !  

[Hammer]

Any bank that offers you a 'Link' card would be a good idea. All the Link machines are linked (funny that) so that you can use any Link ATM with your card, whatever bank/supermarket/petrol station it's at.