Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at Salt Lake City 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 Concourse A of the new terminal complex (opened 2023) near the international gates. Salt Lake City serves primarily Canada and Mexico international routes.
ICE kiosks at SLC charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. SLC's international traffic is modest — the ICE kiosk sees lower volume than gateway airports and hours may be limited on some days.
ATMs are throughout the new terminal complex in Concourses A and B. Zions Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase ATMs are at major gate junctions and at the baggage claim exit. The 2023 terminal's ATM network is well-distributed.
SLC ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Zions Bank has a local presence at SLC; a Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card eliminates all fees at any network ATM.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for SLC
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
The new SLC terminal (2023) has a clean ATM layout in both concourses — Zions Bank ATMs are prominent but charge non-customer fees; a Schwab debit card refunds these fees and is the cheapest option for foreign currency.
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 SLC airport or at my destination?
Almost always at your destination. Airport exchange booths at Salt Lake City 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 SLC airport?
ATMs are throughout the new terminal complex in Concourses A and B. Zions Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase ATMs are at major gate junctions and at the baggage claim exit. The 2023 terminal's ATM network is well-distributed. SLC ATMs are on the Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus, and STAR networks. Zions Bank has a local presence at SLC; a Schwab, Wise, or Revolut card eliminates all fees at any network ATM.
Which currency exchange is at SLC airport?
ICE (International Currency Exchange) operates a kiosk in Concourse A of the new terminal complex (opened 2023) near the international gates. Salt Lake City serves primarily Canada and Mexico international routes. ICE kiosks at SLC charge 12–16% above the mid-market rate. SLC's international traffic is modest — the ICE kiosk sees lower volume than gateway airports and hours may be limited on some days.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at SLC?
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 SLC airport · Live SLC TSA wait times
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