How do I exchange foreign currency to US dollars?

Where can I exchange US dollars for foreign currency?

• I am departing tomorrow. My bank (Wells Fargo) told me I could do it through them and they could mail me the foreign currency. I procrastinated, so where can I do the currency exchange? Also, is there a fee to do it?

• Answer:

  Generally it will be cheaper to use an ATM card to withdraw money directly in the country you'll be visiting. However, if you're going to do this it's a good idea to notify your bank that you will be using the card overseas. Otherwise, there's a chance that the security software will see your card as potentially stolen and you have to call in to reactivate it. Any daily or monthly limits on your card will also apply when you use the card in other countries. The best place to have actually exchanged currency would have been your own bank. Even there, there is a cost, but you would have been likely to get the best rate there. Next best is at another bank. There are currency exchanges in airports and in the cities, but it does cost you value either in the form of a poorer exchange rate, a commission, or both every time you exchange money.