Local Tip
At JFK, CXI's Terminal 8 arrivals counter stays open until 23:00, later than its other airport desks; in Midtown, its Grand Central counter sits in the Apple Bank ATM lobby.
Where to change money in New York
The Manhattan walk-in counters we could confirm all belong to Currency Exchange International (CXI), and NYC Tourism lists the same three. CXI's Union Square shop has closed for good, whatever older guides say.
- CXI Penn Station, 345 Seventh Avenue In the Apple Bank ATM lobby beside Penn Station. Open 08:00 to 20:00 on weekdays; Saturday 09:00 to 19:00, Sunday 11:00 to 18:00.
- CXI Grand Central, 122 East 42nd Street Also in an Apple Bank ATM lobby, using the 42nd Street door of the terminal building; its listed hours are the same as at Penn Station.
- CXI Upper East Side, 801 Lexington Avenue The door is on East 62nd Street, a few minutes from the Lexington Avenue/59th Street subway station. Open 08:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 19:00 on Saturday and 11:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.
Changing money at the airport
Most flights from the UK use JFK, where CXI lists four desks, all open daily: Terminal 4 arrivals hall (07:00 to 22:00), Terminal 4 departures by Gate 31 (06:30 to 22:00), Terminal 5 by the main food court (06:30 to 22:00) and Terminal 8 arrivals level (07:00 to 23:00), as listed in October 2026. The airport's own pages confirm exchange desks in Terminals 4 and 8 and ATMs across the site.
ATMs and cards in New York
A New York cash machine not run by your own bank may charge a usage fee, which federal rules (Regulation E) say must appear on screen or paper before you commit; your UK bank may add its own charge. If a Manhattan till or ATM offers a total in pounds, stay with dollars: MoneySavingExpert says the retailer's conversion is often poor next to your card's own, and that many UK cards add a non-sterling fee of about 3%.
Paying for transport in New York
Subway and local-bus fares are paid through OMNY: tap a contactless bank card or phone on the reader, or load cash onto an OMNY card. The base fare rose to $3 in January 2026. With the same card or device, rides are free for the rest of any seven-day period once $35 has been spent. AirTrain JFK costs $8.75 one way, charged at Jamaica or Howard Beach, and takes the same cards. A yellow cab between JFK and Manhattan is a $70 flat fare plus 50 cents state surcharge, a $1 improvement surcharge, the $2.50 congestion surcharge, $5 on weekdays from 16:00 to 20:00, a $2 airport pick-up fee, tolls and tip; drivers must take cards with no minimum or card fee.
Good to know
- Shelf and menu prices normally exclude sales tax, 8.875% on most purchases in the city according to NYC Tourism, which suggests tipping 18-20% for table service and 15-20% for taxi and ride-hail drivers. Some restaurants add a gratuity for large groups.
- Shops in New York State may add a credit-card surcharge, but since 11 February 2024 General Business Law section 518 has required them to display the full card price, and the surcharge cannot exceed what the card company charges the business.
Key Areas in New York
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Exchange bureaux, banks and cash machines, as mapped by OpenStreetMap. The map loads only when you ask for it.
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New York travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in New York?
For cash, Currency Exchange International has three Manhattan counters: Penn Station (345 Seventh Avenue), Grand Central (122 East 42nd Street) and 801 Lexington Avenue, plus desks at JFK in Terminals 4, 5 and 8. Check what you will receive once fees are taken off, and weigh it against a card with no foreign fees.
Is there a currency exchange at JFK when I land?
Yes. CXI lists arrivals counters in Terminal 4 (07:00 to 22:00) and Terminal 8 (07:00 to 23:00), plus two more desks in Terminals 4 and 5, all open daily in October 2026. ATMs are spread around the airport too.
How much is the New York subway and can I tap my card?
A subway or local-bus ride costs $3 in 2026. Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the OMNY reader; stick to the same one and rides are free for the rest of a seven-day period once you have paid $35.
Checked October 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: Currency Exchange International (CXI) · NYC Tourism + Conventions · Metropolitan Transportation Authority (OMNY) · JFK Airport (Port Authority of NY and NJ) · NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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