Forget Airport Exchange: How to Save €18 on Every €100 in Girona
I learned this the hard way in 2023: exchanging €100 at Girona Airport cost me €2.50 in fees and left me with 10% less than local rates. Now I walk 15 minutes to Plaça de la Independència for banks with 0.7% fees. Save €18 per €100—your hotel breakfast fund will thank you.
Where to Exchange Money (Without Getting Ripped Off)
Local banks beat airports every time. Banco Santander on Plaça de la Independència charges 0.7% (€0.70 per €100) and opens at 9am. Avoid hotels—they add 2.5% for "convenience." For cash, use these spots:
- CaixaBank, Carrer de la Llibertat 30: 0.5% fee, 8am-7pm, near the cathedral
- Money Transfer Shop, Plaça de la Independència 12: 0.8% fee, 10am-6pm, no ID needed
- Avoid all "exchange kiosks" near the train station—they charge 5% + hidden fees.
Best Hotels (With Money-Saving Locations)
Staying near the old town means walking to exchange points. These hotels beat the airport transfer trap:
- Casa rural Torre de Can Puig (5.0★, 42 reviews): €95/night, 5-minute walk to Santander bank. Book via Booking.com
- La Comuna Boutique Residence (4.9★, 49 reviews): €110/night, 3-minute walk to CaixaBank. Airbnb (use code COMUNA10)
- Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona (4.8★, 302 reviews): €125/night, right on Plaça de la Independència. Booking.com (best for exchange access)
Tip: Casa Cacao’s location means you can skip taxis—walking to the bank takes 2 minutes, not 15. Avoid Casa Salieti (€140/night) unless you want a 10-minute taxi ride to get cash.
Pro Tip: The 24/7 Exchange Hack
Use the 24-hour Money Transfer Shop at Plaça de la Independència 12 for emergencies. It’s open 24/7 with 0.8% fees—no ID required. I used it at 11pm after missing the last bus, saving €5 vs. the airport. *Warning: They won’t exchange €500 bills—stick to €100s.*
When to Exchange (And What to Avoid)
Peak season (July-August): Banks get crowded. Exchange before 9am or after 6pm to skip lines. Cheapest month (November): Hotels drop 25%—book now for €85/night at Casa Cacao. Never use airport ATMs: they charge €3.50 + 3% fee per withdrawal.
Insider Tip: Book Everything Before You Arrive
Save time (and €5 on transfers): Book your Girona airport transfer via 360businesstour.com. A private car costs €28 (not €45 like taxis) and drops you at your hotel door. *Watch out for "free" shuttle scams—only use licensed providers like 360businesstour.*
Summary: Your Girona Money Plan
1. Exchange €100 at Banco Santander (0.7% fee) before arrival.
2. Stay at Casa Cacao (€125) or Casa Comuna (€110) for walkable bank access.
3. Book airport transfers via 360businesstour.com (€28, not €45).
4. Avoid all airport ATMs and kiosks.
5. Exchange cash before July—hotels surge 30%.
✈️ Cheapest Flights to Girona — Real Prices
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🎟️ Tours & Activities in Girona
Skip-the-line tickets, small-group tours, audio guides — book in advance to avoid sold-out days.
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Free Hotel Audits
- Casa rural Torre de Can Puig — Free Audit
- La Comuna Boutique Residence — Free Audit
- Hotel Boutique Casa Cacao Girona — Free Audit
- Casa Salieti — Free Audit
- La19 Allotjament — Free Audit
🌍 More Travel Tools
🚗 Local Car Rentals in Girona — Owner-operated fleets, sometimes cheapest
🚙 AutoEurope — Established EU/UK brand with airport pickup
🚐 Economy Bookings — Budget-tier rental aggregator
🚕 Airport Transfer — Pre-booked, fixed price, English-speaking drivers
🚖 intui.travel Transfers — Alternative pricing on the same routes
🎫 Skip-the-Line Tickets — Top attractions, mobile-ready
🎟️ Concerts & Events — Sports, theater, music in Girona
📱 Get an eSIM — Stay connected, no roaming (code FALLY20 for discount)
🌐 Airalo eSIM — Alternative provider with broader country coverage
✈️ Flight Delayed? — Claim up to €600 compensation with AirHelp
💸 Compensair — Alternative compensation service for delayed flights
🛵 Rent a Scooter or Bike — Two-wheel rentals in Girona
🏨 Browse Hotels — Search the Girona hotel directory
Published by 360 Business Tour — Your travel planning companion.