Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Newark Liberty 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.
Travelex operates currency exchange at Terminal B (main international departure area) and Terminal C (United's international gates). ICE also has kiosks near international arrivals in Terminal B.
Travelex and ICE at EWR charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. Terminal B and C locations serve significant international volumes on transatlantic United routes — rates are consistent with other New York-area airport booths.
ATMs are in all three terminals (A, B, C) and at AirTrain station platforms. Chase, Bank of America, and TD Bank ATMs are near gate clusters and at baggage claim exits. Terminal C (United) has ATMs near the international arrivals customs exit.
EWR ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) eliminates both the ATM surcharge and foreign transaction fee.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for EWR
Use an ATM with a no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) and decline any offered currency conversion at the ATM. Airport exchange booths charge 15-20% above the real rate.
Pro Tip
Newark's AirTrain platforms have Chase ATMs — if you land at Terminal B and need cash for the NJ Transit train into Manhattan, use the AirTrain-level Chase ATM rather than the Travelex booth in the terminal.
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 EWR airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Newark Liberty International Airport charge 10-20% above the mid-market rate. At your destination, ATMs give the real interbank rate minus a small network fee — typically saving $50-100 on a $500 exchange versus the airport booth.
Where are the ATMs at EWR airport?
ATMs are in all three terminals (A, B, C) and at AirTrain station platforms. Chase, Bank of America, and TD Bank ATMs are near gate clusters and at baggage claim exits. Terminal C (United) has ATMs near the international arrivals customs exit. EWR ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) eliminates both the ATM surcharge and foreign transaction fee.
Which currency exchange is at EWR airport?
Travelex operates currency exchange at Terminal B (main international departure area) and Terminal C (United's international gates). ICE also has kiosks near international arrivals in Terminal B. Travelex and ICE at EWR charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. Terminal B and C locations serve significant international volumes on transatlantic United routes — rates are consistent with other New York-area airport booths.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at EWR?
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 EWR airport · Live EWR TSA wait times
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