Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Long Beach 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. LGB has no currency exchange counter — it's a domestic-only airport (Southwest, Delta, Alaska, and Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii, which requires no currency exchange) with no international arrivals facility or CBP presence. 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 located landside near check-in and airside across from Gate 8.
LGB does not publish which bank or network operates its ATMs; expect standard national networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus). A no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut) will always get a better rate than any airport exchange counter.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for LGB
Take care of any foreign-currency needs before or after your LGB trip. If you need currency exchange in the area, use a bank in downtown Long Beach or Los Angeles, or route through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), about 20 miles away, which has dedicated exchange services for international arrivals.
Pro Tip
LGB flies domestic routes only, including Hawaii (a US state, so no currency exchange is needed there either) — almost no traveler passing through LGB needs foreign currency on-site.
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 LGB airport or at my destination?
At your destination. Long Beach 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 LGB airport?
ATMs are located landside near check-in and airside across from Gate 8. LGB does not publish which bank or network operates its ATMs; expect standard national networks (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus). A no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, Revolut) will always get a better rate than any airport exchange counter.
Which currency exchange is at LGB airport?
Long Beach 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 LGB?
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 LGB airport · Live LGB TSA wait times
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