Heathrow Airport (LHR) Currency Exchange: Complete Guide
If the last thing you knew about currency exchange at Heathrow involved Travelex, that information is now out of date. Heathrow changed its entire currency-exchange setup at the start of 2026 — here's what's actually true now.
Travelex is out — Global Exchange is in
Heathrow announced in late 2025 that Global Exchange would take over as the airport's currency-exchange provider across all terminals, effective January 2026, replacing Travelex. If you come across a guide (including some still-current-looking ones) naming Travelex, ICE, or No1 Currency as operating inside Heathrow's terminals, treat that as outdated.
One small but genuine exception: No1 Currency's own site confirms their in-terminal Heathrow location is closed — but they still run a separate kiosk at the Terminals 2 & 3 Underground station. That's outside the terminal, at the Tube station, not something you'll find airside or in the main terminal buildings.
Where Global Exchange operates
Global Exchange runs counters across all four active terminals — Terminal 1 no longer exists (it closed to passengers in 2015, so don't go looking for it):
- Terminal 2: Arrivals (public area) and post-security Departures
- Terminal 3: Arrivals (public area, near Marks & Spencer) and post-security Departures (near WHSmith)
- Terminal 4: Arrivals (near Costa) and post-security Departures
- Terminal 5: Arrivals (after baggage reclaim) and post-security Departures
Every location runs the same hours: 05:00–22:00 daily. There are no confirmed 24-hour counters — if you're landing or departing outside that window, plan on an ATM instead.
How many locations, exactly?
Heathrow's own site gives two slightly different totals in different places — 23 exchange offices in one spot, 24 stores in another. It's a minor internal inconsistency on the airport's own part rather than a sign either number is unreliable; either way, Global Exchange has a solid presence in every terminal.
The one thing we can't confirm: which bank runs the ATMs
Heathrow's own site confirms ATMs are available throughout the airport and accept major cards, but doesn't name the operator. Some sources claim major UK banks (Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds); one particularly thorough source found no current evidence for that and suggested independent ATM operators instead. This is genuinely unresolved from research alone — if you spot the branding on an ATM next time you're through Heathrow, that's more reliable than anything published online right now.
The takeaway
- Global Exchange is now the sole operator, replacing Travelex as of January 2026
- Present in all 4 active terminals (2, 3, 4, 5) — Terminal 1 doesn't exist anymore
- Standard hours everywhere: 05:00–22:00, no confirmed 24-hour counter
- No1 Currency still exists, but only at the Underground station, not inside any terminal
- ATM bank branding is genuinely unconfirmed — worth checking the machine itself rather than trusting a guide
That's exactly the kind of up-to-date comparison JesTiny Guide is built for — check today's Global Exchange rate before you land, without relying on outdated Travelex-era information.
Need mobile data too?
Sorting out currency is only half the "landing prepared" checklist — most travelers also need mobile data the moment they touch down, for maps, ride-hailing apps, and checking in with home. Rather than pushing one option, here are two eSIM providers worth comparing before your trip:
- Roamable — travel eSIM plans covering most major destinations
- Strong eSIM — global digital SIM, 190+ countries
As with currency exchange, rates and coverage vary — worth a quick compare based on your destination and how much data you'll actually need.
Affiliate disclosure: JesTiny Guide may earn a commission if you use a pre-booking link through one of our partner counters, at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site free and independently run. Rates shown are indicative and sourced from live currency APIs — always confirm the final rate at the counter before exchanging.
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