I am traveling to Scotland & Iceland with a friend in Sept 2025. I don’t like to use ATM’s in foreign countries. Is is a good idea to get some paper currency for trip to Scotland (Pound) or Kronar’s (Iceland) before we go for smaller purchases or do most places only take plastic? Please advise-thanks in advance
If you get paper currency served out by human beings at a desk, you will always get soaked on the exchange rate. Human clerks are costly compared to an ATM. Just get a Schwab Bank checking debit card, learn to NOT convert your ATM withdrawal (or store purchase) amount to US Dollars despite how they try to pressure and trick you, and you will get the best rate.
To protect my normal checking account, I’ve set up a travel checking account and use a debit card. I keep enough in there just for trip use. I try to charge as much as I can.
I also use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and like, And yes, don’t convert a charge to dollars.
You’ll enjoy both countries. In particular, we did a side trip to Oban, drank some single malt scotch) and then the Isle of Mull and stayed in a castle.
It’s been several years since I was in Iceland but can’t remember anywhere that didn’t accept plastic.