Originally Posted by manku

Can't speak for London, but upon arriving at Manchester Airport last December decided to use atm in Airport..thought, for some reason that it would be like going to a bank, not one of the exchange kiosks which I know are awful. Took out 200 pounds, which cost me about $283 including a 2.50 or 3.00 exchange fee.

The figure bothered me, but I was too tired to figure it out...finally, when I was in Paris and used an ATM again to get euros (this time, 115 for 100, no fee) I realized that the atm in Manchester had charged me a 10% premium in addition to the fee...so I paid about $25-30 too much.

Lesson: don't exchange or retrieve any money in an airport (even an atm) unless it's an emergency.

Also, FWIW, I barely needed any cash the entire trip...maybe for the occasional street food or tip.