Money & travel
Skip the exchange booth at McGhee Tyson 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.
No exchange booths at this airport
None — McGhee Tyson Airport's own FAQ states it does not offer currency exchange services. This means your in-airport options are limited to ATMs — which is actually a better outcome, since you automatically get the real mid-market exchange rate.
ATMs are available on the second level before the TSA checkpoint; a TN State Bank ATM is also located past the checkpoint on the concourse.
TYS's ATMs are standard bank-network machines (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus); there is no Schwab- or Wise-branded machine on-site, so using a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card avoids added surcharges.
Best cards for ATM use abroad
Recommended for TYS
Since TYS has no exchange booth, arrive with any cash you need — the terminal's ATMs are your only on-site cash option, and they dispense US dollars only.
Pro Tip
If you need actual foreign currency exchanged (not just a domestic withdrawal), plan ahead — the Alcoa/Knoxville area has no dedicated currency-exchange storefronts near the airport. Exchange before you arrive in the region, or route through a larger hub like Atlanta (ATL) or Charlotte (CLT), which have full-service exchange counters.
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 TYS airport or at my destination?
At your destination. McGhee Tyson Airport primarily serves domestic routes and has no dedicated exchange booths. Withdraw from an ATM at your destination using a no-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) for the best possible rate.
Where are the ATMs at TYS airport?
ATMs are available on the second level before the TSA checkpoint; a TN State Bank ATM is also located past the checkpoint on the concourse. TYS's ATMs are standard bank-network machines (Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Cirrus); there is no Schwab- or Wise-branded machine on-site, so using a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card avoids added surcharges.
Which currency exchange is at TYS airport?
McGhee Tyson Airport does not have dedicated currency exchange booths. It primarily serves domestic routes. For foreign currency, use an ATM with a no-fee card and exchange at the real mid-market rate.
What is the best card to use for foreign currency at TYS?
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 TYS airport · Live TYS TSA wait times
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live TYS 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 →