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Currency in Gibraltar


Ethel5
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Most places will accept euros. Just make sure to ask for any change in euros as well!

If you are given Gibraltar Pound notes in change then get rid of them as they are no use anywhere else.

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As Max's post, euros are very widely accepted - about the same as USD in the Caribbean.

And many goods & services are dual-priced Gib£ / euro

 

You'll find some places that accept USD but not many - and you'll get a pretty lousy rate.

And even with euros, check the prices in both Gib£ and euros cos some shops which don't dual-price will advertise good Gib£ prices but sting you if you offer euros.

 

Plastic is widely accepted in Gib though there may be a minimum purchase (typically £5 to £10).

Keep plastic purchases in the currency of the purchase, ie Gib£ or euros - decline any offer to charge your card in USD because your card issuer will convert at a significantly better rate.

 

For a one-day port-of-call visit you don't want to end up with unspent Gib money, so use euros - and mebbe plastic for significant purchases.

 

Pubs, cafes etc are pretty competitive, honest and up-front though the standard of food in some is pretty poor..

But beware independent retail shops - some are villains who'll happily scam you on price or conversion rates, and with a bit of shopping around you'll find mebbe 25% to 30% variation in the price of common products.

A classic con is a €8 price sticker on the shelf under litre bottles of scotch. Then when you ask why the guy wants €12 the answer is "the €8 price is for the half-litre bottles on the shelf below". OK, you latch on and abort the purchase if you're buying just the one item, but you'll probably not notice if its one of a number of things you buy from him.

And for electronics (phones, cameras & such) be aware that Gib is a dumping-ground for last-year's models. If you plan to buy, go armed with model numbers & specs, and the prices you'd pay at home.

 

Be on your guard, but it's a great place to window-shop and haggle. And the best value of any of your ports for hard liquor or smokes.

 

JB :)

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Just to add another point about purchasing in Gibraltar - if you're looking to buy duty free cigarettes, alcohol or perfume we have always found the duty free shop in the cruise terminal to be cheaper than any of the shops in town.

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Just to add another point about purchasing in Gibraltar - if you're looking to buy duty free cigarettes, alcohol or perfume we have always found the duty free shop in the cruise terminal to be cheaper than any of the shops in town.

 

 

Thanks!

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Generally anywhere in Europe you will get a lousy rate using US $ .At least 10% down. Gibraltar coins are ok but dodgy in the UK as they can be used in vending machines/ car parks etc, so a Brit may swap for UK sterling. Notes are only useful in Gibraltar or as a souvenir or to a currency collectors.

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As Max's post, euros are very widely accepted - about the same as USD in the Caribbean.

And many goods & services are dual-priced Gib£ / euro

 

You'll find some places that accept USD but not many - and you'll get a pretty lousy rate.

And even with euros, check the prices in both Gib£ and euros cos some shops which don't dual-price will advertise good Gib£ prices but sting you if you offer euros.

 

Plastic is widely accepted in Gib though there may be a minimum purchase (typically £5 to £10).

Keep plastic purchases in the currency of the purchase, ie Gib£ or euros - decline any offer to charge your card in USD because your card issuer will convert at a significantly better rate.

 

For a one-day port-of-call visit you don't want to end up with unspent Gib money, so use euros - and mebbe plastic for significant purchases.

 

Pubs, cafes etc are pretty competitive, honest and up-front though the standard of food in some is pretty poor..

But beware independent retail shops - some are villains who'll happily scam you on price or conversion rates, and with a bit of shopping around you'll find mebbe 25% to 30% variation in the price of common products.

A classic con is a €8 price sticker on the shelf under litre bottles of scotch. Then when you ask why the guy wants €12 the answer is "the €8 price is for the half-litre bottles on the shelf below". OK, you latch on and abort the purchase if you're buying just the one item, but you'll probably not notice if its one of a number of things you buy from him.

And for electronics (phones, cameras & such) be aware that Gib is a dumping-ground for last-year's models. If you plan to buy, go armed with model numbers & specs, and the prices you'd pay at home.

 

Be on your guard, but it's a great place to window-shop and haggle. And the best value of any of your ports for hard liquor or smokes.

 

JB :)

Very detailed and informative info! Thank you!!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Last year the standard taxi tour was priced in both € & £. The actual exchange was not very good, but for a single item it was not worth it to me to search for a local ATM. I was prepared for the price either way. If your on a Med tour where this is your only stop for £'s don't fight it or see if that friend down the block has some £ s left from his last jaunt to London.

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  • 1 month later...
Just to add another point about purchasing in Gibraltar - if you're looking to buy duty free cigarettes, alcohol or perfume we have always found the duty free shop in the cruise terminal to be cheaper than any of the shops in town.

 

However, the alcohol selection is very limited. We select our orders on-line prior to arriving from a reputable company, they prepare, we collect and pay. So easy.

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Following on.

As the amount of time docked in Gibralter is becoming shorter, we have decided to review prices and order from a reputable company. They take our order, collate it and we just collect and pay.

No time wasted.

 

If any CC member wishes the details, will happily post.

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I have lived in Gibraltar for 35 years and have never met the same villains as John Bull. My life has clearly been sheltered.

 

I would agree that although you will find shops to accept your euros and dollars, the rate will be nowhere near as good as one of the many exchange bureaux a few steps along Main Street.

 

You may be given your change in sterling. Some shops/taxis will accept other currencies but give change in sterling. It would be unreasonable to expect small businesses to keep tills in three or more different currencies.

 

Don't be put off by the exchange issues, Gibraltar loves tourists. I hope that when you visit that you get a nice westerly breeze and can enjoy our beautiful rock and the wonderful views.

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