Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Orlando 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.
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates kiosks in the main terminal Level 3 atrium (pre-security) and in the Airside 2 and Airside 4 international departure areas. Terminal C (opened 2022) also has an ICE location.
ICE kiosks at MCO charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. The pre-security Level 3 atrium kiosk is the most accessible for general travelers; Airside locations are higher-volume on international travel days.
ATMs are in the main terminal and at each airside. SunTrust, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are in the Level 3 main terminal and near baggage claim on Level 2. Each airside (1/2 and 3/4) has ATMs near the food court.
MCO ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card eliminates all ATM fees including the airport surcharge.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for MCO
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
If traveling to Mexico or the Caribbean from MCO, exchange booths for USD-to-MXN or USD-to-local are particularly unfavorable — use a Wise card or Revolut card at your destination instead of exchanging at the airport.
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 MCO airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Orlando 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 MCO airport?
ATMs are in the main terminal and at each airside. SunTrust, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are in the Level 3 main terminal and near baggage claim on Level 2. Each airside (1/2 and 3/4) has ATMs near the food court. MCO ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card eliminates all ATM fees including the airport surcharge.
Which currency exchange is at MCO airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates kiosks in the main terminal Level 3 atrium (pre-security) and in the Airside 2 and Airside 4 international departure areas. Terminal C (opened 2022) also has an ICE location. ICE kiosks at MCO charge 12–18% above the mid-market rate. The pre-security Level 3 atrium kiosk is the most accessible for general travelers; Airside locations are higher-volume on international travel days.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at MCO?
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 MCO airport · Live MCO TSA wait times
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