London, with its seamless blend of ancient charm and modern vibrancy, stands as one of the world’s most captivating travel destinations. The city boasts numerous historical landmarks, green parks, and unique viewpoints offering breathtaking vistas. However, navigating its vast landscape and finding the best places to stay can be daunting. This guide provides an overview of London’s top neighborhoods for accommodation, alongside must-visit viewpoints that offer unparalleled views of the city’s iconic skyline. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a seasoned traveler, these tips will ensure a memorable and hassle-free journey through the heart of the UK.
Traveling without worrying about fees when making payments is a topic that interests all of us and should not be overlooked.
Each country has its own currency, and the exchange rates from Euros to the local currency vary greatly. Therefore, we always recommend that you check exchange rates in advance and compare where you can get the best exchange rate.
A crucial tip is to never exchange currency with your bank. Their exchange rates are not good, and the fees they charge are even worse – something we learned over the years. For this reason, we also never recommend paying with the card you have from your bank unless you have bank cards specifically adapted for travel with good fees and exchange rates.
Traveling with Cash
If you plan to carry cash, you can exchange currency with the company RIA.
The exchange rate they offer is quite good, and they have a wide variety of currencies that other companies do not. The purchasing process is similar to an online purchase, where you decide the amount you want, enter your card details, and receive the money at home.
The great advantage is that if you exchange more than €500, they will send the money to your home for free. Still, if you prefer to visit their offices in person, they have several locations in many cities.
Traveling with Cards
Now comes the most important point for us, as we don’t usually travel with much cash unless we are going to a country where paying by card is not common.
For us, having a travel card is essential, and we don’t want to pay high fees every time we want to pay with them in a foreign currency.
A good tip is to travel with at least two cards in case one doesn’t work or has daily or monthly spending limits. Therefore, we bring you this blog with the cards we use and those that are currently the best for travel.
N26 Standard
The first card we highly recommend is the N26, as you can pay without fees, and it is the card we have been using for years. Even if you need to withdraw cash from an ATM, the fees will be better than the exchange rate offered by the Spanish bank.
Advantages:
- 100% free to open an account
- The exchange rate applied is that of Mastercard
- You have 3 free withdrawals per month in the Eurozone, then a €2 fee
- Withdrawals in currencies other than the Euro only incur a 1.7% fee
- Daily payment limit of €5000
- Unlimited purchases without a fee
- Has a Spanish IBAN, but it is an online-only bank
Disadvantages:
- You can make an immediate deposit with a debit or credit card, but you will be penalized with a 3% fee, with a minimum of €20 and a maximum of €450 per month.
- Transfers will be immediate if your bank does SEPA transfers; otherwise, they can take up to 2 working days.
- The delivery of the physical card costs €10.
- A 1.7% fee applies if you withdraw money outside the Eurozone.
Revolut Standard
This is another card we recommend you always carry on your travels. Like the N26, it is an online bank, so if you don’t want a physical card, it’s not necessary as you can pay by contactless, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
It is also a card with zero fees, and withdrawing money anywhere in the world is free if you do not exceed €200 per month.
Advantages:
- 100% free to open an account
- If you sign up, you receive €10
- You have free withdrawals of up to €200 per month worldwide, then a 2% fee
- Pay without fees in over 150 currencies for the first €1000 per month, then a 1% fee applies
- Active promotion of 3 months Premium as a gift
- Immediate deposit with debit card is free
Disadvantages:
- If you exceed the €200 per month withdrawal limit at ATMs, a 2% fee is charged
- The delivery of the physical card costs €6.90
- Currency exchanges over the weekend have a fee, so if a purchase is made, there will be a small surcharge
BNEXT
We have traveled with this card for many years, but they changed the conditions. Previously, they refunded the fees, but they haven’t for a few years, so if you can avoid paying with it and keep it only for emergencies, it’s better.
You can use it in case you don’t have money on the other cards and don’t have an immediate deposit and need money. The advantage of BNEXT is that it allows immediate deposits without a fee.
You have seen that traveling without paying fees is possible. Therefore, we recommend that during the organization of the trip, you know the type of currency in the country, the exchange rate from euros to this currency, and whether it is better to pay by card or in cash.
Above all, never exchange cash at the bank and always in the destination country, and avoid the airport. Only exchange a little money to have some cash for any possible emergency until you reach the place where you will exchange the money.
As for the card, as we have mentioned, always carry at least 2 in case one fails so you can have another for emergencies, and our favorite is the N26.
From the moment you check into a centrally located hotel in Covent Garden or the charming streets of Notting Hill, to the awe-inspiring views from The Shard or the tranquil gardens atop the Walkie Talkie building, London promises an unforgettable adventure. By staying near key transport hubs, you can effortlessly explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, each offering its own unique experiences and attractions. With the added convenience of zero commission travel cards, your journey becomes even more seamless. So, prepare to immerse yourself in London’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning scenery, making the most of every moment in this remarkable city.
