Compare GBP to USD Exchange Rates – Buy US Dollars Online

Make sure to get the best rates by comparing prices on pounds to US dollars

US Dollar
£

Delivery Options

TravelFX

Established since 2010.  Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £7.50 for orders below £750, and . Payment for your currency can be made via Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay with no additional fees. There are also no charges if you pay using the “pay by bank app” or for making a manual bank transfer.

USD Rate 1.3124
You get $984.30
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.3124
Buy now

Sterling

Established in 1972. Home delivery is free above £700 with a postal charges of £6 for orders below £700. Click and collect is available via their London W2 office.

USD Rate 1.3052
You get $978.90
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.3052
Buy now

eurochange

eurochange is one of the UK leading travel money providers. Part of the Western Union family, we deliver value, convenience and exceptional service, from Click & Collect (in as little as 60 seconds) and home delivery services, to our network of 240+ UK branches. Get great rates across the market widest range of currencies with eurochange.T&Cs apply. Subject to availability. Home delivery free above £600 with postal charges of £6 for orders below £600. .

USD Rate 1.3034
You get $977.55
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.3034
Buy now

NM Travel Money

NM Money, part of the eurochange and Western Union family, is your travel money specialist. Get great rates when you buy and sell currency in a choice of 240+ UK branches, or order online for Click & Collect or home delivery. From Western Union international money transfers to exchanging over 50 currencies, NM Money is here to help make your money go further.
T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.Home delivery is free above £600 with postal charges of £6 for orders below £600

 

 

 

USD Rate 1.3034
You get $977.55
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.3034
Buy now

The Currency Club

Established since 2010. Home delivery and payment via bank transfer is free. There is no “click & collect” service available.

USD Rate 1.3013
You get $975.98
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.3013
Buy now

The Post Office

The Post Office has provided travel money services in conjunction with First Rate Exchange Services since 1994. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below £500. “Click and collect” is available at 100’s of Post Offices throughout the UK. Check to see if this service is available near you.

USD Rate 1.2999
You get $974.93
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2999
Buy now

John Lewis

Provide travel money services via John Lewis Finance and First Rate Exchange Services. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £5.50 for orders below £500. Waitrose and John Lewis have over 350 stores and “click & collect” is available at a selected number of stores -check to see if there is one near you.

USD Rate 1.2961
You get $972.08
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2961
Buy now

Waitrose

Part of the John Lewis partnership and provide travel money services via John Lewis Finance and First Rate Exchange Services. Home delivery is free above £500 with postal charges of £5.50 for orders below £500. Waitrose and John Lewis have over 350 stores and ‘click & collect’ is available at a selected number of these stores (usually at the service desk)

USD Rate 1.2961
You get $972.08
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2961
Buy now

Sainsburys

Sainsbury’s Bank travel money is now owned and operated by one of Europes largest travel money businesses Fexco.  Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below £500. ‘Click & collect’ is available in Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK.

USD Rate 1.2959
You get $971.93
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2959
Buy now

Tesco

Tesco provide travel money services in conjunction with Travelex. Home delivery is free above £500 with postal charges of £4.99 for orders below £149 and £3.95 for orders below £500. Tesco has over 2,500 stores throughout the UK. Check to see if ‘click & collect’ is available at a store near you (they do offer a slightly better rate for clubcard customers).

USD Rate 1.2947
You get $971.03
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2947
Buy now

Asda

Travel money services offered in conjunction with Travelex. Home delivery is free above £500 with a postal charge of £4.99 for orders below £500. Asda has over 500 stores throughout the UK – check to see if the “click and collect” service is available at a store near you.

USD Rate 1.2938
You get $970.35
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2938
Buy now

Manor FX

Established since 2018. Home delivery is free above £750 with a postal charge of £7.50 for orders below £750. Available for “click and collect” from their office in Datchet.

USD Rate 1.2809
You get $960.68
Free Delivery
USD Rate = 1.2809
Buy now
View all

What is the best US Dollar exchange rate?

The best US Dollar exchange rate today is 1.3124 from TravelFX. This is based on a comparison of 12 UK based currency suppliers sourced by besttravelmoney.com and assumes you were buying £750 worth of US Dollars for home delivery. Rates are correct as at 12:01 13 November 2026.

Pound exchange rate against the US Dollar

These rates are from a panel of providers on besttravelmoney.com

Over the past 30 days, the pound has been steady against the US Dollar. The best US Dollar rate moved from 1.3143 on 15 October 2026 to 1.3124 on 13 November 2026.

This means £1 buys less US Dollar today than it did at the start of the period.

On a £750 purchase, you would receive about $984.30 today, around $1.43 less than on 15 October 2026.

US Dollar rates moved around during the month, ranging from 1.3122 on 28 October to 1.3382 on 4 November. That shows why checking live rates before you buy can make a real difference.

Last refreshed at 12:00 on 13 November 2026.

How to get the best exchange rate on US dollars

A trip to the United States is always exciting, but it is also one of the most expensive destinations for UK travellers. Everyday costs are higher, tipping is expected almost everywhere, and poor planning when buying US dollars can quickly eat into a travel budget.

Even a small difference in the US dollar exchange rate can make a meaningful impact. On a typical £500 exchange, choosing the right provider can easily mean an extra $50 to $100 in spending money. That is the difference between a few meals out, attraction tickets, or simply travelling with more breathing space.

At besttravelmoney.com, US dollars are compared across leading UK providers, helping travellers find the best place to buy US dollars before travelling.

 

Why comparing US dollar rates really matters

The US is not a destination where arriving short of cash is advisable. While cards are widely accepted, dollars are still essential for:

  • Tipping in restaurants, bars and hotels

  • Taxis and ubers

  • Diners, cafés and small purchases

  • Situations where UK cards fail or incur fees

Comparing US dollar exchange rates online allows travellers to see the true rate they will receive, check for delivery or collection fees, and avoid poor value airport rates. In most cases, online ordering delivers better value than high street stores, where costs are often hidden in the rate.

Airport exchange desks, in particular, remain among the most expensive ways to buy dollars.

Why smaller US bills are useful

When buying US dollars, the mix of notes is often overlooked. Smaller denominations are far more practical in the US, especially for tipping. $1, $5 and $10 notes are used constantly, while $20 bills are often too big for everyday tips.

Ordering US dollars online, either for delivery or click-and-collect, usually makes it easier to receive a better mix of smaller notes than buying in-branch. In some cases you can ask for small notes when you order on line (for instance eurochange allow this on their website).

What to look at beyond the headline dollar rate

  • The best US dollar deal is not just about the rate on the screen. For instance

    • Delivery or collection fees, which can quickly cancel out a better rate

    • Online vs ‘walk up’ pricing, with online orders usually cheaper

    • “0% commission” claims, which are often built into poorer rates

    • Buyback options, useful if cash is left over after the trip

    Many travellers also take a fee-free debit or credit card alongside cash, reducing ATM fees and providing a backup if something goes wrong.

Cards, cash and contactless in the USA

The US was an early adopter of card payments, but the rollout of chip and PIN and contactless lagged behind the UK for many years. Today, that gap has largely closed.

  • Cards: Visa, Mastercard and Amex are widely accepted

  • Contactless and mobile wallets: Apple Pay and Google Pay work well in cities

  • Cash: still essential for tips, taxis, vending machines and smaller items.

UK cards may still be swiped and signed in some places, and “pay at pump” petrol stations often ask for a US ZIP code, which can cause UK cards to fail. Carrying some cash avoids frustration.

Practical spending tips for the USA

  • Tipping culture is unavoidable: restaurants often expect 18–22%, bartenders $1–$2 per drink, and hotel staff rely heavily on cash tips

  • ATMs charge fees: US machines typically add $2–$4 per withdrawal, on top of UK bank charges

  • Public transport varies:

    • New York accepts contactless payments

    • Los Angeles requires a TAP card

    • San Francisco BART uses Clipper cards, where UK contactless can be inconsistent

  • Major attractions such as Disney accept cards and mobile payments, but cash remains useful for smaller vendors and tips

FAQs about buying US dollars

When is the best time to buy US dollars?

No one knows exactly. Buy when the dollar rate looks better than average, and never leave it to the last minute.

Where is the best place to buy US dollars?

It’s always online. You get the best US dollar rates by ordering ahead and collecting in-store or getting them delivered.

Can I get cheap US dollars?

“Cheap” is relative, but yes — you can get more for your pounds if you shop around. Comparing providers is the fastest way to find the cheapest US dollars.

Is it better to buy US dollars in the UK or in the USA?

Always in the UK. US bureaux don’t give good rates for pounds, and you’ll arrive without cash for tips and taxis.

Can I haggle for a better dollar rate?

Yes — and you should. Just ask. Show them your phone with the besttravelmoney site open and they’ll usually improve the rate. Just walk away if they don’t give you the best rate.

Is the airport really that bad?

Worse. It’s the worst place to buy US dollars — often 10–15% worse than online.

How much cash should I take to the USA?

Always take more than you think, because tipping culture eats dollars quickly. Basically the USA is expensive so getting the most US dollars you can makes sense.

Do I need ID when I collect dollars?

Yes — bring photo ID (passport or driving licence). Ordering online first also saves you from queuing.

Our advice when buying US dollars

The US dollar is the most traded currency in the world and is accepted far beyond the United States, but that does not mean all exchange rates are equal. For UK travellers, the smartest approach is usually a mix of preparation and flexibility:

  • Compare US dollar exchange rates online before buying

  • Order in advance to secure a better rate and a useful mix of notes

  • Avoid airport exchanges wherever possible

  • Take both cash and at least one fee-free travel card

  • Budget slightly more than expected to account for tipping

Handled well, buying US dollars does not need to be stressful or expensive. A little planning goes a long way, and the savings can be better spent enjoying the trip rather than paying unnecessary exchange costs.

Planning a trip to the US?

Not sure whether you need to take cash or a card? Read our guide on how much cash you will need in New York based on a recent trip