The Best Places to Exchange Currency in Nelson - 2025
Switch the currency exchange desk for a prepaid card - and save both time and money
Visiting a physical currency exchange kiosk before you travel or in your destination may seem like an obvious option - but you’ll probably find the exchange rates you get there will include extra fees that are tricky to spot.
Get a prepaid travel card from Wise instead, to spend and make local cash withdrawals in 170+ countries, with the Google exchange rate and no hidden fees. No sneaky charges and no standing in line - meaning you have more time and money to enjoy your trip.
Currency Exchange in Nelson
There are only banking options for you when you need to buy travel money in Nelson. We at The Currency Shop, have created this guide so that we can do the heavy lifting and you can focus on everything else.
- We found a variety of fees ranging from a small percentage to a fixed rate. So make yourself aware of these when choosing a provider. We also found that different providers exceeded with different currencies.
- Major currencies can generally be found in Nelson. These include US dollars, Euros or Japanese Yen.
- For some currencies, ordering online can still return a better deal. Especially if there isn't stock in Nelson.
Your own research is pivotal. Use our guide to find out where to buy travel money in Nelson.
If you want to find the best exchange rates to transfer money into a bank account overseas, click here to compare banks and money transfer specialists.
Where to exchange money in Nelson
There is no money changer that is a clear winner for having the best exchange rate on every currency and amount. We found a variety of fees ranging from a small percentage to a fixed rate. So make yourself aware of these when choosing a provider.
We also found that different providers exceeded with different currencies. Major currencies can generally be found in the CBD. These include US dollars, Euros or Japanese Yen. For some currencies, ordering online can still return a better deal. Especially if there isn't stock in the city. Your own research is pivotal.
Use our guide to find out where to buy travel money in Nelson.
| Money Changer | Address |
|---|---|
| BNZ | 226 Trafalgar St, Nelson |
| Westpac | 168 Trafalgar St, Nelson |
| TSB | 62 Bridge Street, Nelson |
Want to find the best time to buy?
Simply use our free email alerts to track the rate daily. Or set the rate you want and we'll email you when it's time to buy.
FAQ - The Best Places to Exchange Currency in Nelson
Where is the best exchange rate in Nelson?
There’s no single best place for currency exchange in Nelson - it’ll usually come down to the currency you need, and how much you’re exchanging. Generally currency exchange options in airports, train stations and hotels are pretty poor value - with high fees often hidden in bad exchange rates.
Instead, consider getting a travel card before you head off, to spend and withdraw in Nelson - usually with better exchange rates and more transparent overall costs.
Is it better to exchange money or use a card?
Cards are usually pretty convenient and safer than carrying lots of cash - but many travellers prefer to have both cards and a small amount of cash to hand. When it comes to cost, which is best depends on the exchange rates you can get for your specific currency pair.
If you have a card which doesn’t charge a foreign transaction or foreign cash fee you’ll usually find that the exchange rates set by card issuers and used when you spend and withdraw are pretty fair. Choose a specialist travel card which offers the Google exchange rate to get even better value.
How much is the fee to exchange currency at the airport?
Currency exchange fees at airports are usually pretty high - although they may also be wrapped up in the exchange rates used, making them harder to spot. In fact you’ll often find exchange desks which claim 0% commission, or no conversion fee to pay - but in reality, the charges are just tagged onto the exchange rates applied to your transaction.
Generally you’ll get better value if you avoid airport exchange rates and choose a prepaid travel card or multi-currency account to spend and withdraw, instead.
The Best Ways to Buy Currency in Nelson
Money exchange reviews
Travel Money NZ Review
Travel Money NZ is exceptionally convenient due to their large national network of stores that are open late and on weekends but there are things you should know about the exchange rates.
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- 4 min read
Travelex
Friendly, professional, with some of the best exchange rates particularly for selling currency to them. There are bank limits for eftpos and photo ID is required.
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- 3 min read
Lotus FX
Lotus Foreign Exchange is handy if you want to talk to someone in a store but useless if you need to go online.
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