Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Phoenix Sky Harbor 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 4 near the international gates (D/E gate area) and in the main Terminal 4 connector. Terminal 3 has limited exchange options.
ICE kiosks at PHX charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. Phoenix primarily handles US–Mexico international routes; peso exchange at ICE kiosks carries a notably wide spread versus mid-market.
ATMs are throughout Terminals 3 and 4. Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are near gate clusters in both terminals and at the Sky Train connector platform between T3 and T4.
PHX ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) eliminates surcharges; particularly useful for Mexico travel where the real MXN rate differs greatly from booth rates.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for PHX
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
For Mexico-bound travelers departing PHX, withdraw pesos at your destination ATM rather than at the ICE booth — Mexican ATMs (Banamex, BBVA, HSBC Mexico) give the official Banxico rate with only a small fee.
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 PHX airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Phoenix Sky Harbor 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 PHX airport?
ATMs are throughout Terminals 3 and 4. Wells Fargo, Chase, and Bank of America ATMs are near gate clusters in both terminals and at the Sky Train connector platform between T3 and T4. PHX ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. A no-fee card (Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) eliminates surcharges; particularly useful for Mexico travel where the real MXN rate differs greatly from booth rates.
Which currency exchange is at PHX airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates a kiosk in Terminal 4 near the international gates (D/E gate area) and in the main Terminal 4 connector. Terminal 3 has limited exchange options. ICE kiosks at PHX charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. Phoenix primarily handles US–Mexico international routes; peso exchange at ICE kiosks carries a notably wide spread versus mid-market.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at PHX?
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 PHX airport · Live PHX TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live PHX 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 →