Buy British Pounds (GBP) Always at the Best Rate
Get your currency fast 💸 Buy UK pounds online or in-store
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See why S Money provides the best value
- 0.5125
- 92.41 AUD
- $3,000 AUD
- Best Price
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- 0.00 AUD
- $3,011 AUD
- $31 more expensive
- 0.4918
- 0.00 AUD
- $3,009 AUD
- $29 more expensive
- 0.4902
- 0.00 AUD
- $3,019 AUD
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- 0.4913
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- $3,042 AUD
- $62 more expensive
- 0.4837
- 0.00 AUD
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Features
- Easy options: Navigate the world of foreign currency easily by choosing S Money to buy British Pounds (GBP) online and in-store in Australia.
- Bang for buck: Perfect for those heading to the UK for travel, study, or work, we offer outstanding value for your Australian Dollars with our competitive exchange rates.
- Request denominations: You can choose what denominations you would like,
- In store or to your door: Our platform is designed for your convenience, providing a safe and straightforward way to buy GBP. Opt for either buying online or in-store.
The pound is the official currency of the United Kingdom. The pound is represented by the symbol £ and the currency code GBP. The UK includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Don’t forget, the Republic of Ireland uses the euro so if you’re planning to cross from Northern Ireland to Ireland or vice versa, you’ll need two currencies.
Country | The United Kingdom |
Official Currency | Great British Pound |
Currency Code | GBP |
Currency Symbol | £ |
Banknote Denominations | £5, £10, £20 and £50 |
Coin Denominations | 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 |
In Stock | Yes |
Current Rate | 0.5125 |
From October 1, 2022 paper banknotes in £20 and £50 denominations will not longer be used in the UK.
The British currency system used the pound as the base unit, which is made up of 100 pence (usually just referred to as ‘pee’).
British coins are circulated as 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2. All coins in Scotland are issued by the Royal Mint, so their designs match coins found everywhere else in the UK.
Scottish banknotes
Scottish banknotes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20, £50, and £100. A rare £1 note is also still used in circulation.
Three Scottish retail banks – the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank – issue their own notes with their own designs.
While these Scottish notes are usually accepted throughout the United Kingdom, they’re not technically official legal tender in England or Wales. You shouldn’t have trouble using them but shops outside Scotland aren’t obligated to accept them.
Most British banks will exchange Scottish pounds for English ones free of charge. Meanwhile, you’ll have no problem using English banknotes anywhere in Scotland, so it’s always best to use your Scottish notes first!
The British pound is accepted as currency in the following countries:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
In addition it is accepted in the British Antarctic Territory, the British Indian Ocean Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The British pound is not accepted in the Republic of Ireland, as the Euro is the offical national currency.
How to buy British Pound Sterling
Store Collection
Pay ahead of time
Ready in less than a week. Then pick it up when it suits you.
Available in NSW, VIC, QLD & WA
Post Office Pickup & Home Delivery
Collect at your local post office.
Have it securely delivered to your home.
Available Australia wide
How long does it take?
- Confirm
- You'll receive a text and email confirming we've received your payment
- Delivery
- Once your payment is confirmed, delivery takes 2-3 business days depending on where you are in Australia
- Updates
- You'll receive updates on when your order is coming. We'll also let you know if there is any unexpected delays
Fees and Charges
Service Fee
The Service Fee depends on the currency and amount you order.
Delivery
$19 fee for Post Office collection. $28 flat fee for delivery to your door.
Express Pickup
In-store transactions are subject to a $9 fee.
Buying UK Pounds in Australia
Where is the best place to buy British Pounds in Australia?
If you like the reassurance of having the local currency readily available from the moment you step off the plane, you have three options to pick up the cash before you go:
- Buy the currency online and either collect it in-store or have it delivered to you.
- Collect from a currency exchange store.
- Most expensively, buy the currency at the airport.
Online money changers like S Money are often an easy and cheap way to purchase foreign currency online but it may not necessary be as quick as walking into a store. Companies like Travelex also offer a foreign exchange service online but it takes between two and five business days before the currency is ready for pick-up or delivery so you need to be organised!
Alternatively, buying your currency in-store can be a good option but it all depends on where you go. The money changers in the centre of the main cities like Sydney or Melbourne tend to be more competitive than smaller stores in the suburbs.
Only change money at the airport as a last resort. The exchange rates and fees at Australian airports are among the worst in the world so avoid it at all costs if you want to get the best bang for your buck.
Learn more: The Best Places to Buy British Pounds in Australia
What is the cheapest way to buy British pounds?
In Australia, for amounts up to $5,000 it is often cheaper to buy pounds online. If you need a larger amount, it's better to go into a store in the city because there is more competition and you can negotiate in person.
The key to finding the best deal is to compare your options to buy UK pounds in cash. Make sure that you compare not just the exchange rate, but the total cost of your currency including any service or delivery fees.
Here are 5 top ways currently available in Australia
- Online - If you are looking to buy some British pounds in cash, you can now do it online. It's similar to buying anything else online but you will need some ID on hand. Online money changers, like S Money, have the best exchange rates. Most will either deliver it to your home or allow click and collect.
- In-store - this is one of the best ways to get your currency fast. Just locate a store near you and bring your ID. It's a good idea to call ahead to check their rates and to make sure they have enough pounds in stock.
- Overseas - Sometimes it can actually be cheaper to buy your British pounds abroad. Countries like Singapore have very competitive money changers if you are willing to go out of your way to find them.
- International money transfers - If you are sending money from Australia to the UK, using a money transfer service like Wise or OFX is a great way to convert your currency. These online services are a much cheaper option than using an Australian bank.
- Travel money cards - These cards used to have terrible exchange rates and a heaps of hidden fees. While this is still the case with most bank travel cards, there are much better options available. These include Revolut, Wise and the 28 Degrees card.
Should you Pounds now or later?
As a rule of thumb, if you are buying British Pounds with Australian dollars, you want the AUD/GBP exchange rate to be as high as possible. The higher the rate, the better it is for you. It means that you will receive more British Pounds for the same amount of Australian dollars.
Unfortunately there isn't a particular day of the week or time of the day that is the best time.
While it's impossible to pick the perfect time, you can set up a free rate tracker to keep an eye on the rate.
Also keep in mind that if you buy it online, it may take 2-4 business days to arrive so make sure you finalise your financial transaction at least a week before you are due to travel overseas.
Learn more: When is the best time to buy British Pounds with Australian dollars?
How much currency do you need for spending?
With a destination famed for its iconic attractions, it’s hard to know just how much cash you’ll use to make your holiday everything you’ve dreamed of.
On average, it’s a good idea to put aside enough for £100 of currency in the UK each day but your budget will ultimately depend on how you like to travel (for example, budget or luxury) as well as how long you’ll be away for.
If you are confused about how much money to take to the UK for 1, 2 or 4 weeks, read our detailed review to answer all your questions.