If you're traveling to the U.S. and plan on arriving in Los Angeles (LA) at LAX airport, you'll likely need U.S. currency for cash purchases, such as a coffee or bottle of water. If you're traveling abroad from the U.S., you may want to have foreign currency on hand to pay for taxis and small purchases.
Which are your best options? Whether you plan on exchanging currency at the airport, an ATM, or a local foreign currency provider, We've outlined the ones in Los Angeles.
Key Takeways
- Travelers to and from the U.S. may be in need of hard currency to purchase small items with cash.
- Using a credit card to pay for pricier items, such as a hotel stay, is wiser than using cash.
- Los Angeles International Airport and other airports have currency exchanges, but you won't get the best rates there.
- ATMs provide a cheap and easy way to obtain cash, and you may not have to pay a transaction fee for the exchange.
- Currency exchange stores can help you get U.S. dollars or other currencies; note that rates may fluctuate with the market throughout the day.
Best Places to Exchange Currency in Los Angeles
Los Angeles hosted 46.4 million visitors in 2022 (the latest figures available), representing a 91% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels from 2019. The highest number of international visitors to L.A. came from Mexico, with 1.6 million tourists, followed by Canada, with 600,000.
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, a credit card is usually the best option for many purchases—especially larger ones, such as your hotel. More and morebanks are offering credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, so if you travel frequently, it’s a good idea to get one. However, some cards impose a 2% to 3% fee on international transactions, which can add to the overall cost of your trip. Be sure to check the fee listings with your financial services provider or your credit card company.
ATMs
Using an ATM is one of the easiest and cheapest methods to get cash while traveling abroad. All international withdrawals via an ATM typically provide a better exchange rate than you would get at a currency exchange store or airport kiosk. If your home bank has an agreement with a U.S. bank, you can avoid paying any extra fees (ask your bank for policy details). If you will be charged a per-transaction fee, it’s better to take one or two larger withdrawals, instead of several smaller ones.
As in any large city, you can find a wide variety of ATMs throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area at banks, shopping centers, and nearby tourist attractions. If you need help finding an ATM, check with your bank to see if it offers an ATM locator app, or search your smartphone’s app store. You can also check your bank's website on your smartphone.
If you are arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Bank of America operates ATMs in Terminal 5.Other ATMs that are close to the airport include:
- Citibank: 8800 South Sepulveda Blvd.
- Wells Fargo Bank: 8814 S Sepulveda Blvd.
- Chase Bank: 8813 S Sepulveda Blvd.
Currency Exchange Stores
Many currency exchange stores throughout Los Angeles offer a range of services aimed at travelers entering the country and U.S. travelers headed overseas. While the exchange rate you’ll get at a bank is generally fixed, meaning it doesn’t fluctuate throughout the day, other currency exchange stores may change rates with the market. Call ahead to find out rates, but keep in mind the rate you are told over the phone and the rate you might receive could be different since rates are periodically updated.
Some of the currency exchange stores in Los Angeles include:
Bretton Woods
- 11659 San Vicente Blvd., (310) 447-6234
Currency Exchange International
- Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Dr., (323) 721-2500
- Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Level 2, (310) 393-7444
Foreign Currency Express
- 350 S Figueroa St., Suite 134, (213) 624-3693
LA Currency
- 7095 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 204, (323) 878-0555
- 340 N Camden Drive, Suite A, Beverly Hills (310) 859-8888
- 406 W 6 Street Unit A, Los Angeles (213) 228-0000
The Airport
You won’t get the best exchange ratesat LAX—or any other airport, for that matter. However, if you only need a small amount of cash in your pocket to get your trip started, the convenience may be worth it. If you want a larger amount, an ATM or one of the currency exchange stores mentioned above will likely give you a better deal. To find out the current exchange rate for your currency, use an online currency converter.
International Currency Exchange (ICE) operates eight locations within the LAX airport:
Terminal 2
Located post-security, next to gate 21 (Delta, Aeromexico, Westjet)
- Departures: Hours: Monday – Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Terminal 4
Located post-security, next to gate 41 (American)
- Departures: Hours: Monday – Sunday, 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Terminal 6
Located post-security, near gate 65C (Alaska, Air Canada)
- Departures: Hours: Monday – Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Terminal 7
Located post-security, near gate 73 (United)
- Departures: Hours: Monday – Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Tom Bradley International
- Departures, South Entrance: Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Departures, North Entrance: Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Departures, Hall: Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Arrivals: Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
For more information, call 310-646-7934.
What Is a Currency Conversion Fee?
A currency conversion fee is a charge that a financial institution or a network may impose when you convert one currency, such as U.S. dollars, into another. They are one of several fees that travelers to foreign countries may have to pay when they use their debit or credit cards for ATM withdrawals or purchases.
Where Can You Get the Best Exchange Rates for a Currency Exchange?
If you're traveling abroad, you can usually get the best rates if you plan ahead. Look to online currency brokers such as Travelex, Eurochange, the Currency Online Group, or TravelFX, which provide home delivery. They are likely to have better rates than your home bank. Or use a credit card that has no or low foreign transaction fees to make cash withdrawals while you are abroad.
Should I Exchange Money Before I Travel?
It can be helpful to have at least some foreign currency with you when you arrive in another country, even if it's just for small purchases like a bottle of water or a snack. And you can often get better exchange rates before you travel. Once you arrive at your destination, try to avoid airport kiosks. A better bet is to use your bank's ATM network, if it has one.
The Bottom Line
Any time you travel overseas–for business or pleasure–you’ll need a way to pay for goods and services in the local currency.
When you do need to exchange money, be sure to ask how much money you’ll get in exchange for the amount you’re handing over. Just because a place advertises no commissions or no fees, doesn’t mean you’ll get a good rate—and it doesn’t mean there won’t be “hidden” charges, either. Find out what you’re getting before you give the store your money.
A currency-converting app can help you figure out how much you should be getting. Enter the type and amount of currency you want to exchange, and the app calculates how much of the “new” currency you can buy at today’s rates.
