Best places for currency exchange in Chicago: A complete travel guide

Chicago is a global crossroads, and sorting out your currency before you fly makes any trip smoother. The city has solid options for currency exchange, from downtown offices to airport counters. The catch is the fees: Airport kiosks, bank markups, and even your own card can quietly chip away at your travel budget.

This guide covers currency exchange in Chicago — the top physical locations, the card-vs-cash question, and our app-based alternative that lets you hold and spend in multiple currencies without the usual hassle.

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18+, Terms and Conditions apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

Quick answer: What is the best way to exchange money in Chicago?

It's a good idea to compare a few Chicago currency exchange options before you commit, since rates and fees vary widely.

For a smooth experience, order foreign currency through your bank in advance, or open a multicurrency account like ours before you travel, exchange USD to your destination currency in-app at the Revolut rate, and use a virtual or physical card to tap and pay abroad. This lets you skip the airport counters and get competitive rates on your currency exchange.¹

Understanding US currency: US dollar (USD) basics

Before you change a single bill, it helps to know what you're actually spending. Chicago uses the US dollar, and the details matter — especially if you're an international visitor converting your home currency to USD, or a Chicago resident stocking up on foreign currency before a trip abroad.

What currency does the US use?

The official currency of the United States is the US dollar. The Federal Reserve Board is the issuing authority for US currency.

Some quick facts about USD:

• Currency name: US dollar
• Currency code: USD (short for United States dollar)
• Symbol: $
• Subunit: 1 dollar = 100 cents
• Banknotes in circulation: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100
• Coins in circulation: 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), 50¢ (half dollar), and $1
• Issued by: Federal Reserve Board

What does USD stand for?

USD stands for United States dollar, and it's the ISO 4217 currency code used by banks and financial systems worldwide. So when you see USD on a price tag or a currency converter, it simply refers to US dollars. For Chicago currency exchange, most kiosks quote rates against USD, whether you're buying euros, Mexican pesos, or British pounds.

USD is the currency you'll be exchanging from when you visit a Chicago foreign currency exchange desk.

Top locations for physical currency exchange in Chicago, IL

If you prefer to handle physical cash in person, Chicago has reliable options: Specialist exchange offices, airport counters, and bank branch orders.

O'Hare and Midway airport exchange counters

O'Hare has Seaway Bank currency exchange counters across terminals, and Midway has one in Concourse A. Locations and hours vary — check O'Hare's official banking page and call ahead. Seaway buys and sells more than 200 currencies, but you can't exchange coins.

Airport counters tend to offer less competitive rates than downtown offices, so for a small amount, an ATM withdrawal at your destination is usually cheaper.

Downtown Chicago foreign currency exchange offices

For currency exchange in downtown Chicago, CXI at The Shops at North Bridge (520 N Michigan Ave) is open 7 days a week and handles 80+ currencies with an online reservation option. In the Loop, World's Money Exchange (203 N LaSalle St) has operated since 1987 with competitive rates, but it's only open on weekends. Call ahead to confirm stock.

Currency exchange in Chicago near me

If you're searching for currency exchange near you, the 2 downtown offices we discussed above, CXI at The Shops, and World's Money Exchange, are your most central options.

Where to get euros in Chicago

The 2 downtown options we discussed, CXI at The Shops, and World's Money Exchange, both stock euros.

One thing to know: Many Illinois storefronts are called "currency exchange" but focus on check cashing, money orders, bill payment, and vehicle registration rather than foreign cash. Before visiting any local money exchange location in Chicago, call ahead to confirm they handle foreign banknotes.

Cash vs card abroad: What should you use?

Carrying a small amount of local cash while you're traveling is smart for tips, taxis, and smaller vendors, but card payments are widely accepted in most destinations.

Actionable ATM tips:

• Use bank ATMs, not private ones: Stick to machines inside or attached to banks. Avoid standalone ATMs in tourist areas, which often carry less competitive rates and extra fees.
• Always pay in the local currency, never your home currency: If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency while you're abroad, decline. That's dynamic currency conversion, and it uses a rate that's typically much less competitive than your card provider's.
• Use a debit card for withdrawals: Credit card cash withdrawals come with high fees from both your issuer and the ATM operator.
• Check your card's foreign transaction fee: Many cards charge 2–3% per foreign transaction. Opting for a travel-friendly card can help you save.

Using US debit and credit cards abroad

US-issued Visa and Mastercard cards are widely accepted, and contactless payments are the norm in many countries. The main thing to watch is your card's foreign transaction fee — many US cards charge a 2–3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase made abroad, on top of an exchange rate that's rarely in your favor. A Revolut card handles foreign spending at competitive rates.

ATM withdrawals and dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

The single biggest fee trap for Americans abroad is dynamic currency conversion (DCC). When you insert your card into an ATM or present it at a card terminal while you're abroad, the machine may ask whether you'd like to complete the transaction in the local currency or your own. The option to pay in your own currency seems helpful, since you'll be able to see how much is going to leave your account, but it uses a rate that's typically much less competitive than your card provider's. Always opt to pay in the local currency to get your provider's rate.

Delivery fees may apply.

Pay and exchange money in Chicago with Revolut

With a Revolut multicurrency account, you can hold and exchange US dollars in-app at the Revolut rate, then spend at the checkout with a virtual or physical card.¹

We exchange currency at the competitive Revolut exchange rate, and there are no additional currency exchange fees on weekdays during foreign exchange market hours, as long as you stay within your plan's fair usage limit. You can create a virtual card right away in-app for secure spending both online and in-person via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

You can also use your physical card to withdraw cash from ATMs at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits,² so you always have the right cash for tips and local spots that don't take cards.

How to open a Revolut account for international currency exchange in Chicago

If you'd like to skip the exchange offices and manage your currencies from your phone, here's how to get set up with Revolut before your trip. The whole process takes a few minutes, and you don't even need to leave the house.

1. Download the Revolut app and sign up for an account. You'll need to be 18 or older and verify your identity with a government-issued ID and your SSN or a supported visa.
2. Add money to your account via bank transfer, debit card, or another supported method.
3. Open a currency space in-app and exchange your money at the Revolut rate. You'll see the rate and any applicable fees before you confirm.
4. Order a physical card for in-store spending (delivery fees may apply), or get a virtual one to start spending right away, anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted.
5. You'll get a notification whenever you make a payment, so you can track your spending in real-time.

For more on getting started, see our guide to getting a Revolut card in the US.

¹Exchange and global transfer fees, fair usage limits, and Terms and Conditions apply.

²No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply. Foreign exchange market hours begin at 6pm ET on Sunday and end at 5pm ET on Friday.

The information provided is accurate as of September 7, 2026. The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial advisor.