Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Orlando Sanford 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 SFB's currency exchange counter in the terminal under a concession agreement with the Sanford Airport Authority; the airport's public pages do not specify an exact gate-area location beyond "the terminal."
As at nearly every airport exchange counter, ICE's posted rates run well below the mid-market rate — commonly 10–15%+ worse, plus fees on small transactions. Given SFB's only current scheduled international route is Arajet to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (a destination where USD is widely accepted), most travelers through SFB won't need to exchange currency at all.
Two ATMs on Level 1 of the terminal — one near Baggage Claims 1 & 2 — plus one at the Welcome Center; use the interactive terminal map (flysfb.com/maps/) to pinpoint exact machines.
The bank/network operator of SFB's ATMs is not published on the airport's official site. As anywhere, using a fee-free debit card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) at any ATM avoids foreign transaction fees and surcharges and beats the exchange counter's rate.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for SFB
Skip the ICE exchange counter for routine trips — SFB's only current international route lands in a USD-friendly destination, so most travelers don't need foreign cash at all. If you do need currency, use an ATM with a no-fee card rather than the counter.
Pro Tip
SFB only gained scheduled international service in October 2025 (Arajet to Punta Cana), with BermudAir's Bermuda/Belize City flights not starting until October 2026 — so currency infrastructure here is intentionally minimal. Don't expect the range of exchange options found at Orlando International (MCO), 18 miles away, which has handled international traffic for decades.
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 SFB airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Orlando Sanford 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 SFB airport?
Two ATMs on Level 1 of the terminal — one near Baggage Claims 1 & 2 — plus one at the Welcome Center; use the interactive terminal map (flysfb.com/maps/) to pinpoint exact machines. The bank/network operator of SFB's ATMs is not published on the airport's official site. As anywhere, using a fee-free debit card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) at any ATM avoids foreign transaction fees and surcharges and beats the exchange counter's rate.
Which currency exchange is at SFB airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates SFB's currency exchange counter in the terminal under a concession agreement with the Sanford Airport Authority; the airport's public pages do not specify an exact gate-area location beyond "the terminal." As at nearly every airport exchange counter, ICE's posted rates run well below the mid-market rate — commonly 10–15%+ worse, plus fees on small transactions. Given SFB's only current scheduled international route is Arajet to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (a destination where USD is widely accepted), most travelers through SFB won't need to exchange currency at all.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at SFB?
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 SFB airport · Live SFB TSA wait times
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