You’ve just hopped off the Eurostar at St Pancras. Your pockets are heavy with those shiny bimetallic coins and a few crisp fifties you picked up in Paris. You see a coffee shop, you’re exhausted, and you wonder: can you use euros in London?
Short answer? Usually no. Long answer? It’s complicated, expensive, and generally a bad idea.
London is one of the world's great financial hubs, but the United Kingdom has never used the euro. Even before Brexit, the British Pound Sterling (£/GBP) reigned supreme. While some major tourist traps—sorry, "attractions"—might technically accept your euros, they aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re doing it because they can charge you a markup that would make a loan shark blush.
The Reality of Spending Euros in the Big Smoke
Let’s be real. If you walk into a local pub in Peckham or a corner shop in Hampstead and try to hand over a 20-euro note for a pint or a packet of crisps, the cashier is going to look at you like you’ve just tried to pay with Monopoly money. They can't put it in their till. Their bank won't take it as a standard deposit without hefty fees. It’s just paper to them.
However, London is a city built on tourism. In places like Hamleys on Regent Street, Harrods, or some of the massive souvenir shops around Piccadilly Circus, you might see prices listed in both pounds and euros. Don’t be fooled. This is a convenience service, not a legal requirement.
The "tourist rate" is a killer.
If the official mid-market exchange rate is 1.20 euros to the pound, a shop might offer you a rate of 1.40 or worse. You are essentially paying a "convenience tax" of 10% to 15% just for the privilege of not visiting an ATM. Plus, here is the kicker: they will almost always give you your change in British pounds.
Why the High Street Says No
Retailers in the UK have no legal obligation to accept any foreign currency. In fact, they don't even have a legal obligation to accept Scottish banknotes (though most do), so euros are definitely off the menu for 99% of businesses.
Think about the logistics for a small business owner. They have to track the fluctuating exchange rate daily. They have to train staff on how to spot counterfeit euro notes, which look nothing like the polymer British notes. Then, at the end of the shift, they have to take that foreign cash to a bank or a bureau de change and pay a commission to get it converted back into the currency they actually use to pay their rent and staff. It’s a massive headache.
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Honestly, even if you find a place that says "Euros Accepted," you’re better off keeping them in your wallet for your next trip to Spain or Germany.
Better Ways to Pay (That Won't Rob You Blind)
London has moved on from cash. Fast.
If you're worried about can you use euros in London, you’re likely overthinking the cash situation entirely. We are rapidly becoming a cashless society. From the smallest street food stall in Borough Market to the musicians playing in the London Underground, almost everyone takes contactless payments.
The Magic of Contactless and Mobile Wallets
Forget the bureau de change. Forget the "We Exchange All Currencies" kiosks that clutter up Leicester Square. Your best friend in London is the piece of plastic in your pocket or the phone in your hand.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay: These are accepted virtually everywhere.
- Contactless Cards: If your card has that little "wifi" looking symbol, you’re golden.
- The Tube: You don't even need to buy an Oyster card anymore. Just tap your phone or card on the yellow reader at the ticket barriers. It’s the same price as an Oyster, and it automatically calculates the daily cap so you never overpay.
One thing to watch out for: Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When you tap your card at a restaurant or shop, the terminal might ask, "Pay in EUR or GBP?"
Always choose GBP. If you choose EUR, the merchant’s bank chooses the exchange rate, and it is almost certainly worse than what your own bank would give you. It’s the same trick the souvenir shops use, just digitized. By choosing the local currency (GBP), you let your home bank handle the conversion, which is usually much fairer.
Neobanks are the Real MVP
If you travel often, look into banks like Revolut, Monzo, or Wise. These "challenger banks" allow you to hold multiple currency balances. You can convert your euros to pounds within the app at the real exchange rate (with a tiny, transparent fee) and then spend those pounds in London without any foreign transaction fees. It’s a game-changer. I've used Wise in over a dozen countries, and the mid-market rate they give you is consistently better than anything you’ll find at a physical booth.
What if You Absolutely Have to Exchange Cash?
Maybe you have a stash of euros under your mattress and you really want to get rid of them. It happens. If you must exchange physical cash, stay away from the airports and major train stations. Heathrow and Gatwick exchange booths offer some of the worst rates on the planet because they have a captive audience.
Instead, look for reputable exchange offices in the city.
- Thomas Exchange Global: Usually offers very competitive rates.
- Covent Garden FX: A favorite for locals looking to get travel money.
- The Post Office: Reliable, though not always the absolute best rate, but they won't scam you.
Always check the "Sell" rate versus the "Buy" rate. The "spread" (the difference between the two) tells you how much the middleman is skimming off the top.
The Myth of the "International City"
There is a persistent myth that because London is "international," it must be multi-currency. You see this in movies sometimes, or read it in outdated travel blogs. But the UK's relationship with the euro has always been one of "look but don't touch."
Even at the height of the European Union membership, the British public was fiercely protective of the Pound Sterling. It’s a symbol of sovereignty. So, while you might find a high-end hotel that will take your euros to settle a room bill, they are doing it as a bespoke service for wealthy travelers, not as a standard business practice.
Practical Steps for Your London Trip
Don't let the currency thing stress you out. London is incredibly easy to navigate if you follow a few simple rules of thumb.
First, check if your current bank charges "foreign transaction fees." Some legacy banks charge 3% every time you swipe your card abroad. If yours does, that's going to add up fast on a week-long trip. It might be worth getting a travel-specific card before you fly.
Second, don't withdraw a massive amount of cash at once. You really don't need it. I’ve lived in London for years and I honestly can’t remember the last time I used a physical ten-pound note. Most people carry a "just in case" £20 note in their wallet that stays there for months.
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Third, if you do end up with British coins at the end of your trip, spend them. Banks and exchange offices usually won't take coins back once you leave the country. Buy some chocolate at the airport or drop them into the charity collection boxes you'll see everywhere.
Can you use euros in London? Technically, in a few very specific, very expensive spots, yes. In reality? No. Bring a contactless card, choose "GBP" on the card machine, and enjoy the city without worrying about the math.
Your London Currency Checklist
- Notify your bank: Let them know you're traveling so they don't freeze your card when you try to buy a sandwich at Heathrow.
- Set up your phone: Add your cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay for seamless Tube travel.
- Carry one backup card: Sometimes card machines fail. Having a second card from a different provider (e.g., one Visa and one Mastercard) is a smart move.
- Forget the Euros: Leave them in your bank account or exchange them for pounds before you start your day.
London is expensive enough as it is. Don't make it 15% more expensive by trying to spend the wrong currency. Use the tech in your pocket, stay away from the exchange booths with the flashing neon lights, and focus on the sights rather than the exchange rate.