Port of Gibraltar

[Minnie29]

When purchasing items in Gibraltar can you pay in British Pounds or just Euros?

If you do pay in pounds do they covert it from euros or are the prices shown in both pounds and euros? 
Thank you

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Minnie29 said:

When purchasing items in Gibraltar can you pay in British Pounds or just Euros?

If you do pay in pounds do they covert it from euros or are the prices shown in both pounds and euros? 
Thank you

The currency is the pound sterling, though I imagine they would take euros as well.

[PORT ROYAL]

32 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

When purchasing items in Gibraltar can you pay in British Pounds or just Euros?

If you do pay in pounds do they covert it from euros or are the prices shown in both pounds and euros? 
Thank you

Prices are mostly shown in both GBP and €

One can pay in GBP, but if change needs to be given it will be in Gibralter Pounds or smalls, being not valid in UK.  
Take small GBP notes and Pound coins to shop with.  

Also they will happily take Euros.  

All Credit Cards are accepted.

The only true savings are on Tobacco Products, Spirits/Liquor, Perfume, Colognes, Makeup etc. 

If considering a high end watch or designer jewellery, check UK retail prices before even discussing with store, as it could be the UK is better priced.

 

Additional tips.
Purchase all standard brands of Alcohol from Stores in the Cruise terminal, they give a receipt/ticket and one collects on on return.  Prices identical to their town store.  No need to carry around/from town.  
Also, one Cruise Terminal Store (can’t remember which one - you’ll discover) will give a genuine discount Voucher, valid for a particular Cosmetic/Perfume store in town, if of interest.

 

PS

If seeking special bottles albeit Spirits, Wine, Champagne etc., then drop into VINOPOLIS, and take a look.  Sommeliers from Cunard do actually shop with them.

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by PORT ROYAL
PS

[tv24]

I remember buying a few odds and ends at a little souvenir store and used a credit card.  We have also enjoyed lunch on shore and used a credit card.

[John Bull]

GBP and Euros are equally acceptable in shops, pubs, restaurants, taxis, even buses.

As per Port Royal's post, avoid getting change in Gib pounds - they are only accepted in Gib. UK coins are accepted, but if you come home with any Gib coins the only places you can spend them are in vending machines -  or busy and dimly-lit pubs 😏

 

And I can confirm that only dutiable goods are great value in Gib.

Prices even on branded spirits & smokes do vary from shop to shop

Beware of electronic goods - Gib is a dumping-ground for last-year's models. If you have something specific in mind, go armed with exact model details / numbers and the prices back home. Electronics are one area where its worth negotiating on asking prices

 

Do go ashore armed with exchange rates - you'll find some shops offer better value with GBP, others better value with Euros. If you pay by card, choose which currency to buy in - and check that the currency hasn't been switched before signing or using your PIN or scanning your card.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

Edited December 14, 2022 by John Bull

[PORT ROYAL]

14 minutes ago, John Bull said:

GBP and Euros are equally acceptable in shops, pubs, restaurants, taxis, even buses.

As per Port Royal's post, avoid getting change in Gib pounds - they are only accepted in Gib. UK coins are accepted, but if you come home with any Gib coins the only places you can spend them are in vending machines -  or busy and dimly-lit pubs 😏

 

And I can confirm that only dutiable goods are great value in Gib.

Prices even on branded spirits & smokes do vary from shop to shop

Beware of electronic goods - Gib is a dumping-ground for last-year's models. If you have something specific in mind, go armed with exact model details / numbers and the prices back home. Electronics are one area where its worth negotiating on asking prices

 

Do go ashore armed with exchange rates - you'll find some shops offer better value with GBP, others better value with Euros. If you pay by card, choose which currency to buy in - and check that the currency hasn't been switched before signing or using your PIN or scanning your card.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

As an aside only, not attempting to take the thread off track.
Gib £ have also been discovered when used as a “tip” for coach tour guides in St.Petersburg.  Appalling.

[ollienbertsmum]

On 12/7/2022 at 5:07 PM, Minnie29 said:

When purchasing items in Gibraltar can you pay in British Pounds or just Euros?

If you do pay in pounds do they covert it from euros or are the prices shown in both pounds and euros? 
Thank you

Pound sterling is used in Gibraltar.  You can pay with your UK bank card - I have lived here for  40 years and use my UK bank card for most purchases.  You may wish to pay with notes.  If you do you can ask for sterling change.  Shopkeepers and taxi drivers understand that you don’t want Gibraltar notes.  We do the same when traveling to UK.  
 

It would be mean to knowingly tip someone using a currency that they cannot easily exchange. I hope that it was accidental.  
 

You do not have to use Euro in Gibraltar.  A shop would accept them, most shops would accept dollars, dirham and Swiss Francs !! Tbh .  However you would get an unfavorable exchange rate given that the shop is going to have to go to the trouble of changing it into sterling.  

[ollienbertsmum]

On 12/14/2022 at 4:45 PM, John Bull said:

 

Beware of electronic goods - Gib is a dumping-ground for last-year's models.

 

Where did you hear that?  

[John Bull]

47 minutes ago, ollienbertsmum said:

Where did you hear that?  

 

Seen them for myself 😏

 

JB 🙂

[PORT ROYAL]

18 hours ago, ollienbertsmum said:

Pound sterling is used in Gibraltar.  You can pay with your UK bank card - I have lived here for  40 years and use my UK bank card for most purchases.  You may wish to pay with notes.  If you do you can ask for sterling change.  Shopkeepers and taxi drivers understand that you don’t want Gibraltar notes.  We do the same when traveling to UK.  
 

It would be mean to knowingly tip someone using a currency that they cannot easily exchange. I hope that it was accidental.  
 

You do not have to use Euro in Gibraltar.  A shop would accept them, most shops would accept dollars, dirham and Swiss Francs !! Tbh .  However you would get an unfavorable exchange rate given that the shop is going to have to go to the trouble of changing it into sterling.  

5 Gibralter accidents or 5 Gibralter deliberates?  The answer lies solely in the mindset of the giver.

There were also tips given with “out of date” (by months) £1 GBP coins.  Again, accidental or deliberate, the answer lies in solely the mindset of the giver.

There was a bagful of accidents and/or deliberates.

One made good…. What goes around…….