Best Euro Rate on the High Street Today: Sainsburys Tops

If you’re heading to the eurozone this summer, the difference between a good rate and a great one could cost you more than you think. Even a fraction of a cent per pound adds up fast when you’re exchanging a few hundred pounds. The good news: major UK supermarkets and high street providers now compete more aggressively than ever on travel money rates.

Best euro rate right now: 1.1353 EUR per GBP (Sainsburys) · Top high street deal: 0% commission at Post Office · Live market rate: 1.1489 EUR per GBP

The table below compares rates across the major UK providers as of mid-April 2026, alongside the live interbank rate for context.

What is the best Euro rate on the high street today?

Among traditional high street providers, the Post Office offers some of the most competitive tiered rates — 1.1259 EUR per £1 for orders of £1,000 or more, with zero commission charged on all euro purchases (Post Office Travel Money). For smaller amounts, Tesco Travel Money was offering 1.1197 EUR per £1 as of April 17, 2026 (Pound Sterling LIVE).

Current top rates from high street providers

The live interbank rate for EUR/GBP sat at 1.1489 on April 17, 2026 — meaning the best retail rates from Post Office and Tesco still carry a markup of roughly 2-2.3 cents per pound. That’s the provider’s margin, and it varies by how much you exchange and where you buy.

Factors affecting daily high street rates

Exchange rates move throughout the day based on interbank trading. High street providers update their rates less frequently than online rate trackers, which means you might miss a brief dip in the live rate if you’re checking rates only at a physical branch during business hours.

What supermarket has the best exchange rate for euros?

Sainsburys currently holds the crown for the best supermarket euro rate at 1.1353 EUR per £1, according to Exchange Rates UK data from March 14, 2026 (Exchange Rates UK). That’s notably higher than Asda (1.1314), Marks & Spencer (1.1325), and Tesco (1.1197 to 1.1322 depending on the source and date).

Tesco vs Marks and Spencer vs Asda vs Sainsbury

The spread between the best and worst supermarket rate is about 1.5 cents per pound. For a £1,000 exchange, that difference alone amounts to roughly £15. Sainsburys leads because it passes more of the interbank rate to customers; Tesco and Travelex carry larger margins that fund their physical bureau infrastructure and brand presence.

Daily supermarket euro rate updates

Supermarket rates aren’t updated in real time. Exchange Rates UK tracks them daily, but the data shows rates from mid-March 2026 as the most recent snapshot. If you’re exchanging significant amounts, checking that comparison on the day you plan to buy will give you the most accurate picture.

What is the Euro rate at Tesco today?

Tesco Travel Money was offering 1.1197 EUR per £1 as of April 17, 2026 (Pound Sterling LIVE). That’s notably lower than Sainsburys’ 1.1353 — a gap of about 1.6 cents per pound. However, Tesco does offer free delivery on orders over £500 and next-day Click+Collect from thousands of stores (Tesco Travel Money), which can tip the total-cost equation in its favour for larger orders.

Tesco Travel Money rates

Tesco operates three channels for currency exchange: in-store bureaux de change, online orders with home delivery, and online orders with Click+Collect. Rates vary slightly between channels, and the in-store rate may differ from what’s displayed online at any given moment.

Clubcard exchange rate benefits

Tesco’s Clubcard scheme has historically offered boosted exchange rates for loyalty members, though specific Clubcard-enhanced euro rates weren’t available in the current dataset. Standard Tesco rates without a Clubcard benefit lag behind Sainsburys, so existing Clubcard holders should check whether their loyalty points unlock a meaningfully better deal before assuming Tesco is the default option.

What is the post office Euro rate today?

The Post Office offers tiered euro rates tied to your exchange amount: 1.1215 EUR per £1 for £500 or more, and 1.1259 EUR per £1 for £1,000 or more, both as of April 17, 2026 (Post Office Travel Money). Crucially, the Post Office charges 0% commission on all euro purchases — that means the headline rate is the actual rate you receive.

Post Office travel money exchange

The Post Office provides 0% commission and great rates across over 60 currencies, with free next-day delivery on orders of £500 or more (Post Office Travel Money). For urgent needs, selected branches offer 2-hour collection — a useful option if you’ve left your holiday currency to the last minute.

Comparing Post Office to supermarkets

Even with 0% commission, the Post Office’s base rates trail Sainsburys by roughly 1 cent per pound at the £500 tier and 1 cent at the £1,000 tier. The gap narrows considerably for amounts below £500, though, where Sainsburys may not offer its best rate. For a £750 exchange, the Post Office’s 1.1246 rate yields approximately 843.45 EUR (Money.co.uk), while Sainsburys at 1.1353 would deliver roughly 851.47 EUR.

Where is the least expensive place to buy euros?

The answer isn’t simply “the highest rate.” Total cost includes the exchange rate margin, any commission, delivery fees, and collection options. For orders under £500, Sainsburys’ pure rate advantage makes it the default winner if you can collect in store. For orders over £500, the Post Office’s free delivery on that threshold closes the gap — and its 0% commission means the rate you see is the rate you get.

High street vs other options

High street and supermarket rates both carry higher markups than digital-only providers. A Wise comparison analysis showed average savings of £8.76 per exchange versus Tesco, with £0 conversion fees and £0 ATM fees versus Tesco’s conversion fees reaching £4.28 and ATM fees up to £16 (Wise). If you’re comfortable with digital transfers and don’t need cash immediately, Wise and similar services offer the lowest total cost.

Tips for cheapest euro exchange

Order online rather than in-store wherever possible — online rates are typically better. Avoid airport bureaux de change, which consistently offer the worst retail rates. If your trip is planned, buy euros a few weeks ahead when rates are favourable rather than scrambling at the last minute. Finally, compare the total cost (rate plus fees) across at least two providers before committing.

The Post Office offers 0% commission and great rates on over 60 currencies. Euros have next working day delivery – free on orders of £500 or more.

— Post Office Travel Money (official service description, postoffice.co.uk)

Sainsburys is offering the best rate on buying euros at 1.1353 EUR per £1.

— Exchange Rates UK (comparison service, exchangerates.org.uk)

The comparison landscape for euro exchange makes one thing clear: no single provider dominates across every situation. Sainsburys posts the best pure rate, but the Post Office’s zero-commission policy and free delivery on the £500 threshold make it competitive when you factor in total outlay. Tesco’s Click+Collect convenience and free delivery above £500 are genuine advantages for holidaymakers who want cash in hand without a delivery wait — but only if their rate doesn’t undersell Sainsburys by more than the delivery savings justify.