In the modern travel landscape of 2026, it is generally not better to exchange large amounts of currency at a bank or a "Bureau de Change" before you depart. Most home-based banks and airport kiosks offer significantly poorer exchange rates and charge higher "service fees" than what you will find at your destination. The most cost-effective method is almost always to use a local ATM (automated teller machine) upon arrival at your destination airport or city center. By using a debit card from a bank that doesn't charge international transaction fees, you will receive the "interbank" or "mid-market" rate, which is the most accurate value of the currency. However, it is wise to carry a small "emergency" amount—perhaps $50 to $100—in the local currency or in U.S. dollars just in case the first ATM you encounter is out of service or doesn't accept your specific card type. Additionally, with the rise of digital "travel cards" and Apple Pay/Google Pay being accepted nearly everywhere globally, the need for physical cash has diminished, making the high cost of pre-travel exchange even less justifiable for the savvy 21st-century traveler.