Buy back currency: how to sell unused travel money and discover Revolut alternatives
Product · 13 February 2026Clément Bolmont
If you've recently returned from a holiday with leftover euros or dollars, you might be wondering what to do with them. While keeping a few coins as a souvenir makes sense, larger amounts of foreign currency are better off back in your account, where they can be used for your daily expenses.
At Revolut, we don't accept physical banknotes in other currencies. Instead, we offer a modern, cost-effective alternative for dealing with travel money. We offer travel cards that let you spend in 150+ currencies, a multi-currency account that can support 35+ currencies, and competitive exchange rates for spending abroad and converting your money back into GBP.
Ready to handle your travel money with us? Check out our travel money card guide and sign up today.
18+, T&Cs apply.
Currency exchange in 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.
The information provided is accurate as of 6 February 2026.
The content of this page is for general information purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. If you've any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. We aren't a financial adviser.
Buy back travel money: how to deal with unused travel money at a glance
If you want to convert your foreign currency back into pounds quickly, follow these steps:
- Compare the exchange rates and fees: use our exchange rate comparison tool to find the best exchange rate from foreign currencies to GBP.
- Check the notes: make sure the shop accepts the specific notes you have. Remember that most don't accept coins.
- Convert to GBP online: if you’re keeping travel money on a card or in an account, convert it back to GBP using our currency converter to benefit from our competitive exchange rates.
- Switch to digital: for your future trip, consider handling travel money in a multi-currency account like ours, so you can spend in 150+ currencies worldwide and avoid coming back with banknotes in foreign currencies.
What's buy back currency?
Buy back is a service offered by some banks or exchange shops where they buy foreign banknotes back from you with pounds. This is the reverse of what you do before a holiday when you buy foreign cash for your trip.
When you use a buy back service, the shop will offer you a specific rate. The provider may add a mark-up to the rate to cover their costs and make a profit.
Some providers also give you this feature as an option from the beginning, when you convert your pounds to the foreign currency before your trip. It usually includes a certain fee for that feature, that's added onto your rate.
You can’t give back physical banknotes with us. However, if you have a foreign currency on a card or account, you can use our app to convert it back to GBP using our competitive exchange rates.
How do currency buy back rates work?
The rate you get when selling money back may not be as good as the one you got when you first bought the money.
Some shops use a buy and sell rate system. The sell rate's what you pay to get foreign money, while the buy rate's what they pay you to take it back. The difference between these 2 is often called the spread.
Understanding the mid-market rate
The mid-market rate is the real-time, true value of one currency against another, with no extra mark-up. Most exchange bureaux and providers, including ourselves, add a mark-up to that rate.
To find the best deal, you should compare the exchange rate, not only the fees, as many exchange shops will advertise a 0% fee but add a significant mark-up to the rate.
Why physical currency buy back can be expensive
Selling physical cash back involves a few things that cost you money and time, including the following:
- Fixed fees: some shops charge a set fee no matter how much you're converting. This can be expensive if you only have a small amount of money to sell back.
- Large gaps in rates: the gap between the real market rate and the buy back rate can be important. This means you get much fewer pounds than the true value of your foreign cash.
- Coins are rejected: most buy back services only take banknotes. If you've got a wallet full of foreign coins, you may find it hard to swap them, so that money ends up lost in a drawer.
- The fee-free trick: you might see signs advertising 0% commission. While these businesses don't charge a set fee, the cost is hidden in a poor exchange rate.
Where to sell your unused foreign currency in the UK
These are a few common ways to sell back your physical cash once you land in the UK:
High-street banks
Some UK high-street banks offer buy back services, but often only to people who already have an account with them. You usually need to go to a branch, and their rates may not always be the best you could find. Some banks may also ask you to book a time or visit a specific branch that deals with foreign money.
The Post Office
The Post Office is a popular choice, even if it requires going to a local branch. They usually take most common currencies, but you might find that rare ones are harder to sell back on the spot. You should check if your local branch can buy back larger amounts of cash before you go.
Bureaux de change
These shops specialise in money exchange, and are often found in city centres or airports. While airport shops are easy to find on your way back, they may have uncompetitive rates.
Digital providers like us
If your unused travel money is on a card or in an account, you can use digital platforms like ours. We make it quick, easy, and affordable to exchange your money back to GBP.
How we'll help you avoid the buy back cycle
An easy way to deal with leftover money is to avoid having physical cash in the first place. With our multi-currency account, you can hold over 35 currencies and spend in more than 150 currencies without needing to visit a shop.
When you use our app, you only convert what you need. If you changed pounds into euros for a trip to Spain and you've got some euros left over, you don't need to sell them back to a shop. You can just keep them in your account for your next trip, or swap them back to pounds in-app with upfront rates.
Benefits of digital money management
- Competitive rates.
- No physical storage. You don't have to worry about losing banknotes or carrying a big wallet. If you lose your card, you can just freeze it in-app to keep your money safe.
- Instant swaps. You can swap currencies in seconds, at any time, right from your phone. This gets rid of the need for expensive, last-minute swaps at the airport.
- Peace of mind. If you don’t want to worry about currency conversion, we'll do it for you. Whenever you make a payment, we'll convert your pounds for it at a competitive rate.
Currency exchange in 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.
How to manage and sell currency in-app
If you have a foreign currency in your account and want to change it back to pounds, the process is simple and instant:
- Tap the Exchange button on your Home screen
- Select the currency you want to sell (like EUR) and the currency you want to get (GBP)
- Enter the amount you want to convert
- Review the rate and applicable fees
- Confirm the conversion
The money will show up in your GBP balance straight away, ready to be spent on your card or used to pay bills.
Managing your travel money for future trips
If you're planning your next holiday, thinking about how you'll pay before you leave can save you the hassle of dealing with buy back shops later.
Instead of taking out lots of cash, use your card to pay like a local. You'll get a notification in real-time whenever you make a payment, so you'll know exactly how much you're spending in both pounds and the local currency.
If you do need cash, withdraw money whenever works for you. We don’t charge a fee for ATM withdrawals abroad, up to your plan’s limit. Third-party ATMs may still charge their own fees, but you can locate our 55,000 in-network ATMs worldwide in-app.
Currency buy back FAQs
Where can you find the best travel money buy back rate?
Exchange rates are dynamic, and vary regularly for every provider and currency, so there's no single answer.
We encourage you to look for different provider rates and consider other fees outside the exchange rate itself.
What does it cost to sell currency online?
The costs can be different for each provider. You should think about the exchange rate, any postage costs if you're sending physical cash, and any set fees.
With us, any costs, including your exchange rate, are clearly shown in-app before you tap to confirm.
Can I sell any foreign currency?
No. The currencies you can convert will depend on the provider you're using. If you have a rare currency, you might find it hard to find a buyer.
We support over 35 currencies for holding and swapping, giving you plenty of choice.
Will I get the rate I see online?
Not always with physical shops. Some companies only lock in a rate once they get your cash. If you've sent it in the post, that could be 2 days later.
With a digital account, the rate you see when you confirm the exchange is the rate you'll get.
Can I send coins to be swapped?
Most shops don't take coins.
Digital accounts don’t take coins or notes. However, they do let you convert back even small amounts of money in your account.
How to convert back currency with us
Ready to stop worrying about leftover travel money? You can set up an account and start managing your currencies in minutes. Here's how:
- Download the app, sign up, and verify your identity in a few minutes.
- Add money: you can add money in different currencies via a transfer or your travel card if it's a Visa or Mastercard.
- Exchange currency: go to to the Exchange section. Select the currency you want to sell and GBP as the currency you want to buy.
Currency exchange in 150+ currencies with the Revolut exchange rate. Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.