Best Currency Exchange Near Me in Dublin & Galway – Fees Compared

Few things sap the excitement of a trip faster than realising the exchange rate at the airport is eating into your budget. If you’re arriving in Dublin or Galway and need euros — or you’re heading out of the eurozone — the choice of where to exchange can make a noticeable difference.

Number of currency exchange outlets in Dublin city centre: Over 20 ·
Commission charged by An Post for cash exchange: 0% ·
Typical exchange rate markup at airport kiosks: 3–5% ·
Branches of No1 Currency in Dublin: 4

The table below shows the key facts at a glance for the most common currency exchange options in Ireland.

Where is the best place to exchange my currency?

What to look for in a currency exchange provider

• Start with the mid-market rate — the real exchange rate you see on Google or XE. A good provider will offer a rate close to this with a transparent fee (Wise (online money transfer service)).
• Avoid providers that advertise “0% commission” but hide a markup in the rate. The total cost is the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate you actually get.
• Check opening hours. Most banks and post offices in Ireland are open 9:30 AM – 5 PM Monday–Friday, with limited Saturday hours (Nordic Visitor (Ireland travel specialist)).

Online vs in-person exchange: pros and cons

• Online (e.g., Wise): Uses the real mid-market rate with a low, transparent fee. Money can be delivered to your bank or a digital card. No need to queue. Best for those who plan ahead.
• In-person (bureaux, banks, post offices): Instant cash. Useful if you need euros on the day. But rates vary — specialist bureaux like No1 Currency (Irish exchange bureau) often beat bank rates.

The pattern: convenience and speed come at a cost — airport and hotel exchange desks typically charge the most. Planning ahead and comparing rates can save 3–5% per transaction.

How can I avoid high fees when exchanging currency?

Compare the mid-market rate with the rate offered

Always check the interbank (mid-market) rate on a site like XE or Google before you exchange. The difference between that rate and what you’re offered is your true cost. Wise (online money transfer service) publishes the mid-market rate in real time and charges a small, upfront fee.

Watch for commission charges and hidden markups

Some bureaux advertise “0% commission” but build the cost into a wider spread. Airport exchange kiosks in Ireland can add a markup of 3–5% (ICE Ireland (Irish currency information site)). NerdWallet (personal finance publisher) specifically warns against airport exchange counters and recommends comparing rates before you travel.

Use no-commission services like An Post

An Post, Ireland’s national post office, exchanges foreign currency at no commission across over 900 branches (Nordic Visitor (Ireland travel specialist)). That means the rate you see is close to the interbank rate. It’s a safe, low-cost choice for cash exchange, especially for visitors.

The implication: the cheapest exchange isn’t the one with the lowest fee — it’s the one with the narrowest spread. An Post and Wise both offer that transparency.

What are the best currency exchange options in Dublin?

Currency exchange at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport has ATMs and exchange kiosks in both terminals. However, ICE Ireland (Irish currency information site) reports that these private ATMs and counters charge a fee of 1–3% on top of a less favourable rate. It’s convenient but expensive.

Currency exchange on O’Connell Street

O’Connell Street and the surrounding area host several bureaux. No1 Currency (Irish exchange bureau) has a branch at 1 Westmoreland Street, just off O’Connell Street, and is popular among locals and tourists for competitive rates. Other options include Fexco and ICE.

Currency exchange near me in Dublin city centre

Dublin city centre has over 20 exchange outlets. The highest concentration is around Grafton Street, Temple Bar, and the IFSC. For quick reference, the four locations of No1 Currency cover these areas. Bank of Ireland (Irish bank) branches also offer currency exchange, though typically for account holders.

The takeaway: head to No1 Currency on Westmoreland Street or an An Post branch for the best balance of rate and convenience in Dublin city centre.

Where can I exchange money in Galway?

Banks and post offices in Galway

Both Bank of Ireland and AIB have branches in Galway city that exchange foreign currency, generally for account holders. An Post’s Galway branches (including Eglinton Street) offer commission-free exchange. Claddagh Credit Union (Galway-based credit union) is a standout: it sells foreign notes and buys back unused currency at no commission, with no minimum spend.

Specialist currency exchange bureaux in Galway

Fexco Currency (Irish foreign exchange provider) has a bureau de change at Eyre Square, inside St. Columba’s Credit Union. It offers a wide range of currencies and good rates. MoneyGram in Liosban Industrial Estate also provides exchange services.

Getting Euros in Galway city centre

Galway’s city centre is walkable. Eyre Square is the main hub. Most exchange services are within a five-minute walk from there. For students, University of Galway (Irish university) offers TransferMate with best price assurance for fee payments — a useful tip for international students needing larger amounts.

Why this matters: Galway has fewer specialist bureaux than Dublin, but the combination of Claddagh Credit Union and Fexco at Eyre Square covers most needs at competitive rates.

Can I exchange currency at banks, post offices, or ATMs?

Exchange at AIB: what you need to know

Bank of Ireland (Irish bank) and AIB both offer foreign currency exchange. AIB customers can order currency online and collect it at a branch. Non-customers may be turned away or charged higher fees. It’s best to check ahead.

Post office currency exchange in Ireland

An Post is the most accessible option. Its 900+ branches provide exchange at 0% commission. No account needed. Available in most towns, including Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Limerick (Nordic Visitor (Ireland travel specialist)).

Using ATMs abroad vs exchanging cash

Vagabond Tours of Ireland (tour operator) recommends ATMs as the best way to get euros in Ireland because they avoid many exchange fees. However, note that private ATMs at Dublin Airport carry a charge. Use a bank-affiliated ATM (e.g., AIB, Bank of Ireland, or Ulster Bank) to minimise costs.

The decision: for most travellers, a combination of a small amount of cash from An Post (no commission) and using a fee-free card at bank ATMs is the most cost-effective strategy.

Currency exchange providers compared

Four common providers, one key difference: how they charge. Banks and post offices often use a commission model, while bureaux and online services compete on the exchange rate spread.

The pattern: the cheaper the provider’s overhead (no physical branches, no commission), the better the rate you get. Wise and An Post lead on transparency.

Upsides and downsides of currency exchange methods

The takeaway: the best method depends on your timeline. Same-day cash? Use An Post or No1 Currency. Planning ahead? Wise or a bank ATM will save you the most.

How to exchange currency without losing money: a step-by-step guide

1. Step 1: Check the mid-market rate. Open XE.com or Google and note the live interbank rate for your currency pair (e.g., EUR/USD). This is the baseline. Any offer above this spread is cost.
2. Step 2: Compare providers. Online: Enter the amount on Wise to see the exact fee and rate (Wise (online money transfer service)). In-person: Call a local branch of An Post, No1 Currency, or Fexco and ask for their buying rate for your currency.
3. Step 3: Avoid airport and hotel exchange desks. NerdWallet (personal finance publisher) advises against using airport kiosks. The markup can exceed 5%.
4. Step 4: Use a bank ATM if you have a fee-free card. ATMs from AIB, Bank of Ireland, or Ulster Bank generally offer rates within 1% of the mid-market rate, with no extra service charge from the ATM owner. Decline DCC.
5. Step 5: Consider a digital multi-currency card. Services like Wise and Revolut let you hold multiple currencies and spend at the mid-market rate. These are ideal for frequent travellers. Wise (online money transfer service) also offers physical cards for in-store purchases.

The implication: each step reduces the spread you pay. Travellers who follow all five steps can cut exchange costs by 3–5% compared to walking into the first airport kiosk.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

What the experts say

“Exchanging money at airports or similarly convenient outlets can come with poor exchange rates and an additional fee, typically between 1% and 3% of the transaction.”

— ICE Ireland (Irish currency information site)

“With Wise, you get the real exchange rate — the same one you see on Google. Our fee is small and transparent, and you always see the exact cost before you convert.”

— Wise (online money transfer service)

“ATMs are generally the best way to obtain euros in Ireland because they avoid many exchange fees. Just avoid the privately owned ATMs at the airport.”

— Vagabond Tours of Ireland (tour operator)

“Bank and post office opening hours are usually 9:30 AM to 4 or 5 PM Monday to Friday, with some offices open Saturday.”

— Nordic Visitor (Ireland travel specialist)

The pattern across expert advice: airport kiosks cost the most, ATMs from major banks cost the least, and An Post offers the most transparent walk-in option.

Final takeaway

The smart way to handle currency exchange in Ireland is to plan ahead. An Post gives you 0% commission across the country. No1 Currency and Fexco offer competitive city-centre rates. And if you can wait a day or two, Wise delivers the fairest rate of all. For the traveller arriving at Dublin Airport, the choice is clear: use a bank ATM or walk to the nearest An Post branch — your holiday budget will thank you.

For related services, check our guide to passport size photos near me in Ireland or the latest USD to NZD conversion rates for international travel planning.

For those looking to avoid high fees, comparing Post Office currency exchange rates can help you find the best deal in Dublin and Galway.

Frequently asked questions