Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Minneapolis–Saint Paul 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 a kiosk in Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) near the international gates in Concourse F and G. Terminal 2 (Humphrey) has limited exchange options for the smaller international service it handles.
ICE kiosks at MSP charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. Concourse G sees the most international traffic on Delta's transatlantic routes; the ICE kiosk is near the international departure lounge.
ATMs are throughout Terminal 1 concourses (C, F, G) and Terminal 2. US Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase ATMs are at major gate cluster junctions in both terminals and at baggage claim exits.
MSP ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. US Bank has a strong ATM presence at MSP, but a no-fee Schwab or Wise card still beats any bank's international ATM fee structure.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for MSP
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
Order currency from your bank 2-3 days before departure for the best rate without airport hassle — US Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase all offer currency ordering at Minnesota branches with 2-3 business day delivery.
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 MSP airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Minneapolis–Saint Paul 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 MSP airport?
ATMs are throughout Terminal 1 concourses (C, F, G) and Terminal 2. US Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase ATMs are at major gate cluster junctions in both terminals and at baggage claim exits. MSP ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. US Bank has a strong ATM presence at MSP, but a no-fee Schwab or Wise card still beats any bank's international ATM fee structure.
Which currency exchange is at MSP airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates a kiosk in Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) near the international gates in Concourse F and G. Terminal 2 (Humphrey) has limited exchange options for the smaller international service it handles. ICE kiosks at MSP charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. Concourse G sees the most international traffic on Delta's transatlantic routes; the ICE kiosk is near the international departure lounge.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at MSP?
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 MSP airport · Live MSP TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live MSP TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →