Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Albany International Airport. Use an ATM with a no-fee card — the ATM gives you the real mid-market rate, while airport exchange booths charge 10–20% above it. On a $500 exchange, that difference is $50–100 in hidden costs.
The key rule
Airport currency exchange booths typically charge 10–20% above the mid-market rate.
On a $500 exchange, that is $50–100 in hidden fees. The ATM is almost always better — even with a bank fee. And with a no-fee card, the ATM is unambiguously better.
No exchange booths at this airport
No currency exchange counter is confirmed as currently operating. A Travelex kiosk was previously listed in the Baggage Claim area, but ALB has no scheduled international departures today, and current tenant/operating status could not be verified. This means your in-airport options are limited to ATMs — which is actually a better outcome, since you automatically get the real mid-market exchange rate.
KeyBank and Bank of America ATMs are in the Baggage Claim area and on Concourse A and Concourse C.
ATMs run on the standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. A no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) avoids surcharges, though most ALB travelers only need US dollars since the airport has no international departures.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for ALB
Since ALB has no international flights, most travelers won't need currency exchange here at all — get foreign currency before you fly out, or at your connecting international gateway (e.g. JFK, EWR, ORD).
Pro Tip
If you're arriving with leftover foreign cash from an earlier international leg, use one of the Baggage Claim ATMs to withdraw US dollars rather than searching for an exchange counter — ALB doesn't reliably have one.
Before you leave
Order foreign currency from your bank before departure — Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo all offer currency ordering at branches and online (3–7 business days). Rates are better than airport booths, and you avoid the airport rush entirely.
At your destination
Withdraw from a local ATM at your destination — you get the real mid-market exchange rate, minus a small network fee. A no-fee card eliminates even that. This is almost always the cheapest option.
In transit
Currency exchange at city banks or post offices in your destination country is typically far better than airport rates in both countries. Most major cities have walk-in currency exchange with rates 5–10% better than airport booths.
Is it better to exchange currency at ALB airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Albany International Airport primarily serves domestic routes and has no dedicated exchange booths. Withdraw from an ATM at your destination using a no-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) for the best possible rate.
Where are the ATMs at ALB airport?
KeyBank and Bank of America ATMs are in the Baggage Claim area and on Concourse A and Concourse C. ATMs run on the standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus networks. A no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) avoids surcharges, though most ALB travelers only need US dollars since the airport has no international departures.
Which currency exchange is at ALB airport?
Albany International Airport does not have dedicated currency exchange booths. It primarily serves domestic routes. For foreign currency, use an ATM with a no-fee card and exchange at the real mid-market rate.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at ALB?
The Charles Schwab debit card is the top choice — it reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and charges 0% on international transactions, giving you the real mid-market exchange rate. Wise and Revolut travel cards are strong alternatives with similar 0% fee structures. Avoid using a standard bank debit card, which typically charges 1-3% foreign transaction fee plus an ATM surcharge of $3-5.
See also: Getting around ALB airport · Live ALB TSA wait times
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