Airport bureaux de change

[Shire]

Is the Sterling to Dollar exchange rate at a Bureau de Change at Gatwick likely to be better, worse, or the same as that at a high street bank?

[Buenchico]

Bureaux de Change services at airports are usually provided by firms such as Travelex which tend to work out expensive.

High Street banks aren't always much better. (Watch out for commission charges). The Post Office exchange rate is usually at least 'reasonable' and the service is commission free.

The best exchange rates I've seen lately have been at Mark & Spencer. There's a list of their stores with bureaux de change, here:
http://www2.marksandspencer.com/thecompany/our _stores/results.asp?client=mands&db=pc&width=2 00&height=200&scale=1&prno=1+%21%3D+-1+AND+1&p roduct=&coordsys=&store=&namepart=&pc=&product range=3

Chris

[heathfield]

I've found Travelex to be very slightly better than a bank. Places that say 'no commision' tend to have poorer exchange rates to make up for it. Using your ATM card generally gives a good rate, but it's best if you take out a larger amount to reduce the effect of any fixed charge there may be on it.