Best places to exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes
You've got a few options if you want to exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes. Whether you’re buying travel money in cash, looking for secure ways to cut the costs of making ATM withdrawals abroad, or sending money to someone overseas, we’ve got options for you.
You might decide to pop into a physical currency exchange store in Kawartha Lakes - but many customers will find it more convenient to pick up a low cost travel card instead, for on the go payments, cash withdrawals and easy to convert currencies with great exchange rates.
Wise travel card - A low cost alternative to exchange shops
Visa Debit Card
Delivered in Kawartha Lakes
Mid-market rateOrder and get your Wise travel card in Kawartha Lakes for convenient spending and withdrawals during your trip.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup or margin when converting your money to any currency you need. This may work out cheaper than most currency exchange shops in Kawartha Lakes.
1 best places to exchange money in Kawartha Lakes
The best place to exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes does depend a lot on where in the city you are, and which currencies you need. You'll need to do a bit of your own research - but to start you off, we've detailed 1 of the top rated exchange services in Kawartha Lakes, according to Google.
| Name | Address | Phone number | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental Currency Exchange | 419 King St W Unit 2482, Oshawa | (905) 576-1600 | 4.3 out of 5 stars |
Continental Currency Exchange
- Phone: (905) 576-1600
- Website: http://www.continentalcurrency.ca/
- Address: 419 King St W Unit 2482, Oshawa, ON L1J 2K5, Canada
- Monday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How we rated the currency exchange shops in Kawartha Lakes
We've taken into account the Google ratings at the time of research, looking at exchange services in popular Kawartha Lakes areas. As ratings are dynamic, and things change all the time, you’ll want to also do your own research before you head out to exchange your money.
How to exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes
Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want to choose between banks, currency exchange shops and online platforms to exchange currency conveniently in Kawartha Lakes. It’s worth noting that to keep customers safe, and to comply with the law, it’s common for exchange services to ask for ID when you buy foreign currency. Get ready by having your photo ID, such as a passport or driving license, with you when you arrange your exchange.
If you’re planning on exchanging currency with a bank, you’ll need to double check the travel money and exchange options available. Many banks only offer exchange to customers who already have an account - plus you might have to order online in advance, particularly if you’re looking for a more exotic currency. If your local bank offers currency exchange to people who aren’t customers, bear in mind that you’ll need to take an ID document along with you to collect your cash.
To exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes using a bank:
- Check that the bank you've picked offers currency exchange
- Make sure the currency you need is available - you may need to order ahead
- Visit a branch with cash, or order online, depending on the bank's process
- Take your travel money instantly, or collect in branch later - remember your ID document if you're not a customer
As an alternative you could choose to visit a currency exchange service or travel money specialist which offers online or on the spot exchange. Currency specialists usually have a very good selection of foreign currencies available, although smaller branches may not hold everything in stock at one time. It’s also useful to know that the exchange rate you get for an on the spot exchange in a store may be different to the one you’ll get when ordering online for collection - usually online orders get a better rate.
To exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes using a currency exchange service:
- Decide if you'll visit a currency exchange store in person to exchange, or order ahead
- Place your order online and pay by card or with BPAY, or visit a branch with cash
- Take your travel money instantly, or collect in branch later - you'll need to take along your ID document when you visit the branch to place a collect your order
Finally, you might choose to order your travel money online. There are a few ways to do this. Some providers will let you order online and either have the cash delivered to home, or you can collect at a branch or in the airport. Other options offer a travel money card which you can order online, top up, and then use for spending and withdrawals while you’re away. This can be an especially convenient option as it’s often possible to complete the whole process without needing to leave home.
To exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes online:
- Choose an online currency exchange service which suits your needs
- Order your travel money or travel money card, following their specific process
- You'll normally need to upload an image of your photo ID document for verification
- Your money or card can be delivered to home or collected, depending on the provider you pick
Things to look at before exchanging money
Before you decide how to exchange money it’s worth shopping around to compare a few different available options. That can mean your money goes further. Here are a few more important tips:
Avoid airport currency exchanges
Airports often have currency exchange services - but they’re not usually good value. Services at the airport know that customers have few options left, which means they can crank up the costs. You may not see any fee displayed, but there are likely to be charges rolled into the exchange rate used to convert your dollars to the currency you need, which can be very high.
Check the mid-market rate
Not sure what a good rate looks like? Check the mid-market rate for your specific currency. The mid-market rate is the one used on global markets, and when banks buy and sell currencies. However, it’s not usually passed on to customers. Instead extra fees are added - a markup, margin, or spread. Compare the rate you’re being offered to the mid-market rate for your currency - which you can get from Google - to see this.
Beware of ATM rates
If an ATM in a foreign country asks if you’d prefer to pay in dollars, say no. If you agree, the ATM will manage the currency conversion for you - and that ATM will not give you as good a rate as the one your bank or card network offers. Pay at ATMs and with merchants using the local currency wherever you are, to avoid this.
Get a travel money card from Wise
Travel money cards can help you avoid costs and hassle when exchanging money. Order a card online, add a balance in dollars, and either convert to the currency you need in advance or at the point of payment. Providers like Wise support 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, and often use better exchange rates and lower fees compared to physical currency exchange stores.
Factors to consider when choosing an exchange provider in Kawartha Lakes
Before you pick the right Kawartha Lakes currency exchange option for your needs, do a little shopping around. Compare the available options, looking at the costs involved, how safe they are, and what customers say about them.
When considering costs make sure you check both the exchange rate and the fees charged. It's common for services to state there's no commission, when the costs have simply been added into the exchange rate being used.
Double check safety by picking a reputable and licensed provider. If you're exchanging money at a major bank you can rest assured it's licensed. If you're using physical currency exchange stores it's worth asking how they're regulated - and with online providers you can usually find everything you need in a footnote on the website, including licensing details.
Finally, ask around for personal recommendations from friends and family in Kawartha Lakes, and use online resources like Google reviews and Trustpilot to make sure previous customers are positive about any service you might pick.
Best foreign currency exchange rates in Kawartha Lakes
Exchange rates can be confusing. It can often seem like every bank, exchange store or online service has their own rate - and choosing can feel daunting.
The key to getting the best currency exchange rate in Kawartha Lakes is to understand the mid-market exchange rate for your currency pair. The mid-market rate is the rate used when trading on global markets - the one banks and currency exchanges get when they buy or sell currencies themselves. However, providers usually don't pass on this rate to customers - they'll add a percentage markup or margin, which is a fee, to the rate offered to retail customers buying or selling relatively small amounts of currencies.
You can take the mid-market rate for your currency as a good benchmark when measuring up your options for currency exchange in Kawartha Lakes. Find the mid-market rate on Google, and then look for a provider which offers this or as close as possible to it.
Another good bet is to pick a travel money card from a service like Wise which offers currency exchange which uses live mid-market rates, with the fees split out for clarity and transparency.
When is the best time to exchange currency
Exchange rates change a lot, based on the demand in global markets. That means that there's no best time for currency exchange, but tracking the market can certainly help you spot a good deal when one becomes available.
Keep an eye on the mid-market rate for your currency, using any of our handy tools, and watch how it's changing over time. It's also possible to set up rate alerts online which can help you learn when a rate hits the level you're looking for. If you're planning on converting cash - or if you have a travel money card - you can lock in the rate by buying your foreign currency at that point.
No matter how good a deal you think you're getting, be sure you're picking a safe and reputable provider for your exchange. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Tips for finding the best currency exchange rates in Kawartha Lakes
Here are a few final ideas on how to find the best exchange rates in Kawartha Lakes, no matter which currency you need to buy:
- Compare the available rates across different providers close to you and online - and be sure to check for any additional fees or commissions which can push up costs significantly
- Use online currency converters or mobile apps to stay updated on the current exchange rates for your currency pair, and buy when the time's right
- Consider using an online alternative such as Wise or Revolut so you can instantly convert currencies using just your phone, wherever you're ready
Why buy foreign currency in Kawartha Lakes?
Getting your foreign currency in Kawartha Lakes may offer a better deal compared to buying it from the airport or in your destination country. Airport exchange services know they have a captive audience and can add in extra fees and exchange rate hikes, pushing up the price you pay. Exchanging money in your destination eats into your precious holiday time - plus you may be targeted by unscrupulous money changers with bad rates.
Here are a few good reasons to exchange your currency in Kawartha Lakes:
- As you have time to shop around, you may find you can get better exchange rates
- Buying currency close to home (or even without leaving home) offers speed and convenience
- It's far easier to check the safety and reputation of a provider you know, rather than picking one at your destination
- You won't need to waste your holiday standing in line in a currency exchange store - you can get on with your trip instead
Conclusion
There are a few different ways you might want to currency in Kawartha Lakes. You could head to a bank, choose a physical currency exchange service, or go for an online option.
There are also some great travel money cards from providers like Wise and Revolut which allow you to order a card online or in an app, top up remotely, and spend or make withdrawals overseas easily. Travel money cards are secure and often offer better exchange rates and lower overall costs compared to switching currency at the airport or in a physical location in your destination.
Use this guide to figure out which currency exchange in Kawartha Lakes might be best for you, and don't forget to also take a look at travel money cards to see if popping one in your wallet can help you save.
FAQ - Best places to exchange currency in Kawartha Lakes
There's not one single best place to exchange currency for travel, but converting your currency online before you head off can save time - and often money. One convenient option is to get a travel money card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, to add and exchange money with just your phone.
The cheapest way to get foreign currency in Kawartha Lakes will depend on the currency you need and the value you want to exchange. This guide gives some good pointers to locations you may want to compare, but shopping around is still essential. Compare the exchange services in Kawartha Lakes with online and digital services to get the best deal overall.
Exchanging cash on arrival is inconvenient and can leave you vulnerable to scams and unscrupulous money changing services in your destination. You can exchange money before you go conveniently - or get a travel money card which you can top up digitally and use for spending and withdrawals when you're away, often with great rates and low fees.
Yes. If you get a bad exchange rate - or high commission costs - you'll end up with less money in the end for your trip. Before you exchange money, shop around and compare both on and offline options to make sure you get a good deal without excessive fees.
Banks and currency exchange stores can exchange your foreign currency back to Canadian Dollar - but the rate is unlikely to be as good as it was when you converted in the first place, which means you get less back than you spent. Instead, consider a travel money card like the Wise card which lets you leave your money in dollars and convert on the spot when you make a payment or withdrawal overseas.