Gate-side currency option before security queues eat your time
Thomas Cook at Edinburgh Airport sits landside in the main departures area, so you can sort cash before heading to security. It focuses on holiday currencies more than business ones, with strong coverage of euro and US dollar notes. Rates change daily and are clearly shown on digital boards at the counter. If you like physical cash for taxis, tips, and small shops, this is the last chance before you’re stuck with whatever ATM fee you get abroad.
The counter usually opens early in the morning to catch the first wave of flights and stays open into the evening to cover late departures; check EDI’s daily times, as they can shift with season. You can buy euros, US dollars, and other major currencies in person and pay by card or cash in GBP. Staff can handle larger amounts, but anything above standard holiday money can trigger extra ID checks, so bring a passport or driving licence.
Rates at Thomas Cook typically beat buying last‑minute foreign cash from random ATMs overseas but won’t match niche online-only deals. There’s also a buy‑back service on unused notes, which helps if you return with leftover euros or dollars and don’t want them stuck in a drawer. You can’t usually pre-book a specific rate at this desk, so if your flight is tomorrow and the pound suddenly drops, you’re stuck with the screen price.
Quick tip: if you only need a small amount of cash, ask for mixed smaller denominations rather than big notes, which makes paying for a 3 euro coffee or a 5 dollar tip much easier when you land.