Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at James M. Cox Dayton 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
None — DAY has no currency exchange counter or kiosk anywhere 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.
ATMs are in the ticketing lobby (near the check-in counters) and on the exterior of the Business Travelers Center (Suite 300).
Specific ATM networks aren't publicized, but standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus machines should be expected; use a Schwab, Wise, or other no-foreign-fee debit card if withdrawing cash ahead of an international connection.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for DAY
DAY is a domestic-only airport with no exchange booth — get any foreign currency you need before you arrive, since there is no on-site option and DAY currently has no international flights to build a fallback around.
Pro Tip
Despite "International" in its name, DAY currently has no scheduled international passenger flights, which is why no currency exchange was ever built into the terminal — the two on-site ATMs dispense USD only.
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 DAY airport or at my destination?
At your destination. James M. Cox Dayton 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 DAY airport?
ATMs are in the ticketing lobby (near the check-in counters) and on the exterior of the Business Travelers Center (Suite 300). Specific ATM networks aren't publicized, but standard Visa/Plus and Mastercard/Cirrus machines should be expected; use a Schwab, Wise, or other no-foreign-fee debit card if withdrawing cash ahead of an international connection.
Which currency exchange is at DAY airport?
James M. Cox Dayton 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 DAY?
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 DAY airport · Live DAY TSA wait times
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