The UK is a land of contrasts; it has a lot of history and custom, but it is also a leader in modern culture and new ideas. The UK has a lot of different things to see and do, from the historic sites and royal history of London to the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands and the academic excellence of Oxford and Cambridge. It’s important to know about money in the UK, like British Pounds, cash and ATMs in the UK, cash exchange, and different ways to pay. This is true whether you’re enjoying a traditional afternoon tea or exploring the wild coastlines of Wales. This guide will help you easily and cheaply get around the UK’s beautiful landscapes and historic towns, making sure you have a trip full of surprises and British charm.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in UK?
The UK has many ATMs, 8 of the biggest banks in the country, along with some foreign banks, run about 80% of these. There are a lot of them in cities and at least 1 in smaller places where you can get cash in the UK. But going to the country side? You won’t find them.
You can find ATMs at:
- A lot of airports,
- Squares of towns,
- High streets,
- Malls for shopping,
- Lanes for food,
- Banks,
- Corporate and business areas and buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- In small airports,
- Islands,
- Bus stops in the area,
- Villages and country side,
- Countryside resorts and getaways.
Best ATMs to use in UK for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in the UK are those owned by popular banks such as:
HSBC,
Lloyds Bank,
Natwest,
Nationwide,
TSB Bank, and
Barclays.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In UK, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in GBP).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in UK, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in GBP’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in UK?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in UK.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in UK.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Yes, ATMs are usually open 24 hours all seven days. Those inside bank branches may be accessible only between 9am-4pm.
What do they call ATMs in UK?
Word “ATM” is used or simply the signage of a bank name.
PIN type
In the UK, most ATMs only accept 4-digit PINs. Some ATMs may let you use longer PINs, but 4 digits is the norm.
There are different kinds of swipe machines that stores use. Some are big, while others are small, and you must put the card inside them. So have a card ready that allows: Contactless payments, Magnetic stripe, and chip-and-pin.
Languages at ATMs in UK
England’s ATMs have English as the preferred language. Some may have other European language options.
If English is not understandable, use something like Google’s Translate’s camera function and translate the ATM screen in real time to carry out the transaction. Don’t rush, take your time while doing so.
Do ATMs in UK work similarly as other countries?
Yes. They are typically modern and mirror the look, feel and working on those in other countries like US, India, Australia, Europe. Some may require you to fully insert the card and some only partially (where you can see the card), so don’t forget taking it back.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in UK?
ATMs in UK dispense only the official currency British Pound Sterling (GBP).
ATM withdrawal limits in UK?
Many ATMs in the UK have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction as much as the card’s limit. Some bank ATMs have limits of £ 250 to £ 700 per transaction. There is usually no limit on the number of transactions per day.
ATM Fees in UK?
There are many fee-free ATMs in the UK. Majority of the Bank ATMs in the UK do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. Non-bank ATMs (ATMs of independent operators) charge GBP 1.99 to GBP 3.95 ATM Access Fees to foreigners. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in the UK as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in UK – something every traveller handling cash in UK should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in UK?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in UK?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in the UK. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including UK.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Is it safe to use UK ATMs?
Most of the time, yes. Skimmers are able to get into some UK ATMs, though. There isn’t much crime around ATMs, though. Touristy places are more likely to have pickpockets.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in UK takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in the UK. Majority of the Bank ATMs in the UK do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. Non-bank ATMs (ATMs of independent operators) charge GBP 1.99 to GBP 3.95 ATM Access Fees to foreigners. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in the UK as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in UK?
Yes. Most ATMs in UK accept cards issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, India, China, and Australia.
Bitcoin ATMs?
In the UK, there are about 200 Bitcoin ATMs.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in UK
Bank of America: There aren’t any Bank of America ATMs in the UK, no.
Citibank: There are some Citibank ATMs in the UK.
Barclays: There are a lot of Barclays Bank ATMs in the UK.
HSBC: There are a lot of HSBC ATMs in the UK.
Standard Chartered: There aren’t any Standard Chartered ATMs in the UK, no.
