Edinburgh - Currency
ATMs are available in many parts of Edinburgh - ensure you inform your bank before travelling abroad, and be aware you may be charged for cash withdrawals. It is advisable to exchange some cash before arriving in Edinburgh.Visit the other Edinburgh city guide sections to get more detailed travel advice, and information on the best Edinburgh attractions and sightseeing activities, recommended shops and restaurants, as well as the best Edinburgh hotels.
Edinburgh - Notes and Coins
The UK currency is the pound sterling (£), with 100 pence (p) to a pound. 'Quid' is a slang term for pound.
Several Scottish banks issue their own bank notes which can be used in the north of England and in Northern Ireland, but may be refused elsewhere. UK banks will accept them but foreign banks generally do not.
Euros are accepted in Scotland only at some major tourist attractions and a few upmarket hotels - it's always better to have cash in sterling.
Currency Exchange
You can change currency and travellers cheques (Amex and Thomas Cook widely accepted) at Edinburgh Airport and at bureaux de change at most city banks which offer the best rates, Waverley Station, Frasers department store at the west end of Princes Street, the Tourist Centre, Princes Mall, post offices and travel agencies. Bring sterling cheques to avoid changing currencies twice, and take most cheques in large denominations as commission is usually charged per cheque.
You can't use travellers cheques over the counter in shops and restaurants.
American Express - 718 2501 - 69 George St - 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat
Bank of Scotland - 465 3900 - 38 St Andrew Sq - 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat
Fexco - 557 3953 - ESIC, Princes Mall, 3 Princes St - 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
Royal Bank of Scotland - 556 8555 - 36 St Andrew Sq - 9.15am-4.45pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat
Thomas Cook - 226 5500 - 52 Hanover St - 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat
Credit Cards
Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Diners Club cards are accepted, although some places make a charge for using them (generally for small transactions). Charge cards such as Amex and Diners Club may not be accepted in smaller establishments; credit and debit cards like Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted.
Banks
Banks are generally open from 9am-4pm Mon-Fri. ATMs, usually situated outside banks, give 24-hour access to cash; most will also allow you to draw money on a credit card tied to international networks such as Cirrus or Plus.
Customers should be able to draw money at no charge from ATMs at branches of the three Scottish clearing banks throughout the city, and English banks in New Town such as:
Barclays - 1 St Andrew Square – 8457 555555
HSBC - 76 Hanover Street – 8457 404404
Lloyds - TSB 28 Hanover Street – 845 300000
National Westminster - 8 George Street – 8453 661965.
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