Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Long Island MacArthur 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 — ISP has no scheduled international commercial service (Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue, Breeze, Avelo, and Cape Air all fly U.S. domestic routes only), so there is no currency exchange counter or kiosk anywhere in the terminal. The airport does have a small U.S. Customs facility, but it serves private/general-aviation arrivals only, not commercial passengers. 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.
An ATM is located directly across from Dunkin' in the Veterans Memorial Concourse (post-security); additional ATMs are available in the Main Terminal pre-security.
The airport does not publish which bank/network operates its ATMs. As with any airport ATM, use a fee-free debit card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) if withdrawing cash before a connecting international trip elsewhere.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for ISP
Handle any foreign-currency needs before or after ISP — since it's a domestic-only airport there is no exchange service here; use your bank or a no-fee debit card at your actual international destination or a connecting hub like JFK.
Pro Tip
If you're connecting through JFK, LGA, or another larger hub to reach an international destination, exchange currency or use an ATM there — ISP's small terminal has no foreign-exchange infrastructure at all.
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 ISP airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Long Island MacArthur 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 ISP airport?
An ATM is located directly across from Dunkin' in the Veterans Memorial Concourse (post-security); additional ATMs are available in the Main Terminal pre-security. The airport does not publish which bank/network operates its ATMs. As with any airport ATM, use a fee-free debit card (Schwab, Wise, Revolut) if withdrawing cash before a connecting international trip elsewhere.
Which currency exchange is at ISP airport?
Long Island MacArthur 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 ISP?
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 ISP airport · Live ISP TSA wait times
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