Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Asheville Regional 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
None — AVL has no scheduled international flights (Allegiant, American, Delta, Sun Country, and United all serve AVL with domestic-only routes), so there is no currency exchange counter in the terminal. 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.
Standard bank ATMs are in the terminal both pre- and post-security, including near baggage claim; the airport's site does not publish which bank operates them.
If you're connecting internationally through a larger hub (Charlotte, Atlanta, etc.), handle currency exchange or ATM withdrawals there — a Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card avoids foreign transaction fees and ATM surcharges at any airport.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for AVL
Since AVL has no international flights or currency exchange, do your currency exchange or foreign ATM withdrawal at your connecting international hub instead of trying to handle it in Asheville.
Pro Tip
Flying internationally from AVL always means connecting through a hub like Charlotte, Atlanta, or Chicago — that connection, not Asheville, is where you should exchange currency or find foreign-currency ATMs.
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 AVL airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Asheville Regional 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 AVL airport?
Standard bank ATMs are in the terminal both pre- and post-security, including near baggage claim; the airport's site does not publish which bank operates them. If you're connecting internationally through a larger hub (Charlotte, Atlanta, etc.), handle currency exchange or ATM withdrawals there — a Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut debit card avoids foreign transaction fees and ATM surcharges at any airport.
Which currency exchange is at AVL airport?
Asheville Regional 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 AVL?
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 AVL airport · Live AVL TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live AVL TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →