Hiya all....
Need some advice. Ive been told on here that i can get my currency easily while im over there, but ive just picked my tickets up from the travel agents, and they told me its very difficult to do that and the Rates are not as good, so get it all here before we go.
So now i dont know what to do.. can anyone help/advise?
Dont listen to your travel agent. Change in BG. As Baldur says check all the advise on here first.
dont listen to them we only take £100 in levs and get the rest over there its a much better rate listen to people like baldur and us that have been before have a great holiday xx
My Travel Agent advised me to buy off them too - but look at the Post Office rate - today its 2.1356 and Baldur's best rate in Bulgaria is 2.3017.
I know where I'm getting mine!! Maybe buy about £50 off Post Office before I go just to get some essentials as soon as I get there.
I know where I'm getting mine!! Maybe buy about £50 off Post Office before I go just to get some essentials as soon as I get there.
Like every one says change your money over there ,we have been taking cash for a few years now as the exchange rate on traveler cheques and it was a pain as you had to take your passport with you all the time June 
I NEVER change money to Leva in UK. Dont listen to your travel agent, they are probably on commission! Up until a few years ago, it was not possible to change in the UK anyway.
I believe one of the best rates in UK is with Marks and Spencer.
I believe one of the best rates in UK is with Marks and Spencer.
I believe one of the best rates in UK is with Marks and Spencer.
Used to be but no longer, for comparison:
Tesco - 2.216400
Thomas Exchange - 2.2113
Asda - 2.198500
M&S - 2.1553
Travelex - 2.1523
Post Office - 2.1356
Thanks for that info, Baldur 
Wow thanks for that Baldur! we always go to Marks and Spencer but may have to rethink that now!
and thanks everyone, i feel a lot better now i will change money there
and thanks everyone, i feel a lot better now i will change money there
Just received my Flex Account statement which told me that when I withdrew 150 lev from an atm in GS on Tuesday 9th June the rate was 2.257 lev to the £...the bank rate on the previous day was 2.236.
Flex Account offer by far the best rate...when/where they are available.
regards Jim.
Flex Account offer by far the best rate...when/where they are available.
regards Jim.
It's certainly looking better than when I was in Varna/Dobrich in March - my Flex a/c ATM withdrawal rates then ranged from 2.186 to 2.189, as opposed to 2.458 to 2.495 last July/August/September.
I can't help but notice that the brighter members of this forum, have a Nationwide Flex Account Card, & withdraw cash from the ATM's in Bulgaria at the best rates, FREE of any charges or Fee's.
I will be using 1 next week
Gary
I will be using 1 next week
Gary
I will be using 1 next week
So will I - although I could easily beat the Flex rate by withdrawing Leva from one of my Bulgarian bank accounts (which were originally opened at a rate of around 2.88-2.91 a few years ago) but the rate of interest that they are currently earning in Bulgaria (up to 11% in the case of one bank) is far better than anything available in the UK, so I'll probably leave them intact.
Yes Baldur, we only came back from a fortnight in Vlas last week & a couple that we met out there were just opening an Account to Deposit some cash, 9% Locked in for 12 Months
Which Bulgarian Bank do you recommend?
I presently have an account with 1st Investment, not sure what the rates are, my cash just passes through at the moment for apartment payments
11% sounds nice
Gary
Which Bulgarian Bank do you recommend?
I presently have an account with 1st Investment, not sure what the rates are, my cash just passes through at the moment for apartment payments
11% sounds nice
Gary
Hi Gary,
Just as here, the bank offering the best rates varies - my 11% account is with Raiffeisen but it's no longer open to new customers.
I've no idea which bank is currently offering the best rate on deposits, I'll need to shop around in September when some of mine mature.
Baldur
Just as here, the bank offering the best rates varies - my 11% account is with Raiffeisen but it's no longer open to new customers.
I've no idea which bank is currently offering the best rate on deposits, I'll need to shop around in September when some of mine mature.
Baldur
Garyjs. Thanks for those kind words. I used mine in my hotel lobby in Albena and was getting around 2.22 just two weeks ago. At the exchange desk less than 10 metres away, idiots were lining up to get 2.10. Cheers. Tonyt.
We got ours changed here and missed out. Change about £50.00 here and then change the rest while you are there. There are lots of banks and 'Crown' money places. Don't change it unless it is a bank or Crown though, as you will be ripped off. Watch out for pick pockets too, but you will have a great time, everything is sooooooooo cheap.
I cant believe travel agents are still saying this, I also hear alot of them encouraging people visiting BG to take euros 
Take the advice and bring sterling with you...
Your best bet is to change money on one of the banks near to hotel diamond avoid other places as its not unheard of to get fake notes or ripped off...
Other than that have a great time and enjoy yourself
Take the advice and bring sterling with you...
Your best bet is to change money on one of the banks near to hotel diamond avoid other places as its not unheard of to get fake notes or ripped off...
Other than that have a great time and enjoy yourself
sorry if this has been answered but is there an atm at the airport when you arrive and if so is it wise and safe to use it,
many thanks
robbie
many thanks
robbie
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