There isn't much in LA which is "quick and painless". Everything turns into an adventure, of some sort. Thus, one would expect the process of converting foreign funds into US coinage, equally difficult. You can imagine my "oh oh" - face when one of my best friends whom currently lives in Canada gave me $55 in Canadian cash. Luckily, Foreign Currency Express came to the rescue. I first called my bank to see if they would convert the funds. They would, but it would involve a $17 fee and their exchange rates weren't that inviting. Fellow Yelpers suggested FCE and after reading the reviews, I was convinced this would be the solution. Located in the World Trade Center building, it took more time to get down there from the Valley and figure out how to actually get into the building versus the exchange process. As everyone mentioned, parking is $3.50 for every 12 minutes but they do validate. I got dropped off and could not figure out how to get into this discreet building which makes you feel like you have to be an FBI agent to figure it out. I finally found an almost hidden, secret passage-like elevator located on the street-front of Figueroa which leads you up to a court yard with a door opening to the inside of the World Trade establishment. Once inside, everything is large and open and seems almost empty yet, you can FEEL that you are being watched and judged. Foreign Currency Express is immediately to the left of the info desk. There is a small handwritten sign on the open door so it can be missed easily. More of a counter then anything else (not for the claustrophobic) I was welcomed by an Asian woman behind a glass counter. I simply told her I had Canadian funds to exchange into US. She ran it through a machine, told me the amount/rate, and I had cash in my hand in seconds. I was seriously in and an out in a minute flat. No hidden fees, no exchange rate fines, nothing. It was easier than buying a gallon of milk from Ralph's. Skip the bank or your usual travel service. If you have foreign funds to exchange into US or vice versa, Foreign Currency Express is the route to take. Quick and painless, for sure. read more

Having money when you come back from a trip overseas is a good problem to have... these guys make it even better. I've been here a couple of times now and it sure beats going to the bank! Quick in and out... They buy your foreign currency at a better rate (no commissions or fees)... Nothing reported to the government if you're changing less than $10K USD!! Really, what more could you ask for?? __________ Notes: * they'll validate your parking for $2.00 read more

Foreign Currency Express - I try to keep my transactions below $10,000... - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Mom & Dad to the rescue! Sonny boy #1 is leaving early Monday morning for Germany. Yesterday was his last day off from work before leaving. He's got a long checklist of things to do. Why does he put the currency exchange last on his list?! Of course, the bank he went to at the last minute didn't have enough of the needed euros on hand. What to do? That's right. Ask us to take care of this for him. So, this morning, I Google & Yelp and found this place. Good reviews, better exchange rate than the banks, sure thing on having the needed euros on hand. Tips on parking. My husband went right down & came home happy. The service was fast & efficient. Thanks to the tips found here on how to get there, navigating those one-way streets & the World Trade Center was easy. We can't wait to see what lovely gifts he buys us with those euros! read more

Foreign Currency Express - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been coming here for a few years and I really want to share and recommend this business for foreign currency exchange needs! Michelle is always so responsive when I ask for current exchange rates! Plus with not much notice Michelle has the currency ready before I arrive! No exchange fees and they validate for parking! Plus Michelle and FCE respond to e-mail messages very promptly ! I can't recommend this place enough for the best in foreign currency exchange!!! :) Thank you Michelle and FCE! You have my loyal business! And want everyone else to know you're #1 in the business!! See you soon!!!!!!! :D! read more

My partner and I have 3 overseas trips in the next 3 months and we needed Moroccan Dihram, South African Rand, Euros, and British Pounds. I ordered the money and picked it up and was in and out in 15min. Michelle had the order all written up and waiting. The next day I get a letter in the mail from Michelle telling me that there had been a mistake in the rate for the Moroccan Dihram and she enclosed a check for $126.96. Now that is service; I would have never known that I had gotten the wrong rate. Thank you Michelle! read more

Foreign Currency Express - Michelle wrote me a note that I had gotten the wrong rate on a part of my order and sent me a check for the difference! - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If I could give 6 stars I would. This place is amazing. The best rates I could find!!

By far the best and easy way to exchange currency. The exchange rates are same as what you would get at major banks. It's a small "walk in closet" kind of space located near the help desk on Level 1. You can call ahead for currency exchange rates. If you have a few hundred or thousand dollars worth to exchange, you can negotiate for a better rate. Anything above $1000 worth will require a passport, driver's license, and/or social security number. Tip 1: Get your parking validated. Tip 2: There's sometimes a line around lunch hour. read more

Foreign Currency Express - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is the place where I always go to get foreign currencies exchange for my travels. I never really analyzed how much each transaction cost but today I actually kept my receipt and figured it out using my XE app: $1,496.47 dollars = €1,315 euros , $77 transaction fee $700 dollars = 450.16 pounds, $22 transaction fee So it's definitely expensive, but cheaper than other currency exchange and definitely cheaper to exchange at the airport or banks. Another reviewer mentioned using ur ATM debit card, which will give u even best exchange rate. As for this store it convenient located in downtown la, inside the World Trade Center. They do validate for parking (see pic of their parking policy) , but I find the parking structure very confusing and crowded, so being the downtown brat I am, I just park in the side street(4th st?, see pic) walk down to Figueroa entrance, take th elevator up one floor to the World Trade Center, it much faster and direct. See u in Europe! read more

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Good exchange rates and relatively fast service, once you find it. Ask security to point you in the right direction or waste minutes going in circles because their signage is pretty much nonexistent. Also note that they don't take coins. Get your parking validated so you only have to pay an arm and get to keep your leg. read more

Fast and friendly service, will definitely recommend to others! Parking is accessible and so is the location.

Didn't figure out the parking until I got inside. I ended up parking somewhere down town off 4th and Broadway and just walked it to the trade center. Not terrible. I like walking. But now that I know they have designated parking I'll definitely try to find it. Outside of that. This exchange was perfect. Walked in, super quiet. One person in front of me. Honestly it was so fast, I was in and out of the actual building in literally no more than 5 minutes. No fees either which is awesome. My heart just hurts a little every time I exchange for British pounds. The American dollar is basically worthless. Ugh! I'll be back though for sure! read more

Foreign Currency Express - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is awesome!! My husband and I were looking for a place with the best currency exchange rate for our Greece trip. We called before we went, and their rate was unbeatable! No transaction fees. Better than the bank, and definitely way better than exchanging at an airport. Ideally, if you need euros in cash, it's best to get it from an ATM in the European country, but with the current situation in Greece and their daily limits on ATMs, we didn't want to take our chances and decided to get cash BEFORE we got there. So glad we did! It was super fast, easy, and the guy working was really nice! Tips: located inside World Trade Center in DTLA. They validate your parking for you so it'll be $2 after validation. read more

Hands down, one of the best currency exchanges in town, and this is coming from someone that use to work at a currency exchange. Rates are competitive, wide array of currency selection and and a good mix of currency demonizations. Parking is a bit of a pain, but as mention in other reviews, there's some street parking and parking garage. Personally I just have someone come with me and have them drop me off. It's always in an out, no hassle, no high pressure sales men pitching, just great customer service. read more

I went here before a trip to Ocktoberfest. They had euros but did not have any Swiss Francs since I did not put in an order in time. This place is easy to find, and I received excellent customer service. They also had better rates than my bank, Bank of America. read more

I have only ever gone here really so I have no basis for comparison. But this I will say: if you go to a commercial bank, you'll have to order your currency in advance if you want a considerable amount. But who has time for that when you have a million things to do getting ready to travel? This place has every currency you need and for a fair price. They have basement parking if you have to drive to it. And they've been here forever! It's family-run. read more

Went here on a Friday around lunchtime to exchange some US dollars for New Zealand dollars. I needed about 100 NZ dollars for a wedding present. I called ahead and they said it was in stock. I took public transportation to get there. You can get off the Metro Red Line at either Pershing Square or 7th/Metro Center. It's only a few blocks from either stop. Whether you drive or use public transportation, this area isn't the safest, so be careful if you're carrying a lot of cash. On the street level, the World Trade Center's pedestrian entrances are not obvious! The entrances (one each on Figueroa and Flower) are elevators set into small turquoise tiled indentations. It doesn't matter which one you take. They both go up to the 1st floor and the shop is close to the information booth. There was a line when I got there. Some guy was trying to exchange his loose change from all over the world. I heard he exchanged 1 euro for 1 dollar. So, there probably isn't a minimum. The line grew considerably and there were about 5 people waiting! When I exchanged my money, they gave me a roll of coins. Since I was putting this money in a card, I asked if I could get bills instead. The guy checked and it was available. I'm very pleased they were nice enough to accommodate my request! There is no surcharge & believe their rates are fair. XE.com gave me a rate of $58.50 US dollars to $100 NZ dollars. I was charged $61.50 US dollars. Overall, a great place to exchange your money. Remember the tips: call ahead to check that your currency is in stock and allow plenty of time, in case there is a line. read more

Thank you for the great rate on USD to YEN. I'd say 4.5 stars because if a parking and validation ticket issue. Parking in WTC lot was easy to find and cost $3.50 with validation which is good for DTLA. The gave me a quote on yelp message and they had the best rate! Thanks again. read more

Since I am traveling to Japan for a couple of weeks, I needed to exchange dollars to yen. A couple of people recommended coming here and I can see why! They gave me 120 yen/dollar (current rate is about 123 yen/dollar). No problems with bringing $$$ to exchange (I called the day before and the lady that answered said that there was no need to preorder the money - Nice!). This was way easier, quicker, and cheaper than trying to exchange money through my bank. The only downside is parking (in the World Trade Center building - Enter on Figueroa). I got lucky and found a spot. They validate parking, so if your time parking there exceeds the Free limit, then they validate for a partial discount. All in all it took me less than 10 minutes to park, find the place (which is in the lobby on the other side of the info/security desk), fill out the form (for first time customers), and exchange my money. Super friendly service too (its nice not having to deal with people who have attitude! - lol). read more

Foreign Currency Express - Bring in dollars and then...BAM! You get yen. Yep, its that fast. Lol - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have went to currency exchange service 3 times in different year. First time and third times I was in foreign currency express, where they gave me the much better rate than other places and they honor their quote in the phone. In the second time I went to La currency because they have parking space available. The pretty girl behind the glass didn't give me the exchange rate they promised me on the phone that happened 20 minutes ago. She said the rate is constantly changing so I lost near $100 of the original quote. I think personally I won't go back to LA currency anymore. This time ( the third time) I want to get USD for 22000 Chinese yuan. The standard rate at google is $3220. I requested quote at 4 places. Two of them returned me with $3011, one $3026, foreign currency express quoted me $3047, which is better than all other competitors. They also have easy access parking that I wasn't aware at the first time went in. I was parking at the street where has parking meter. This time I drove in the public parking at the same building and they validated my parking tickets so I paid noting for it. They have reserved parking space just next to elevator. read more

Foreign Currency Express - Reserved parking space for foreign currency express just next to elevator - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Visited here for the first time to exchange USD for Euro & Croatian Kuna. Can't recommend this place enough! Staff is very friendly & helpful. I called the morning of to ask for the exchange rate for each currency. They placed it on hold & I picked up the same day. Speedy service, as well! Since I called in the morning, I just came in, showed my ID & was able to pick up the currency in less than 12 minutes, no problem! (btw, I say 12 mins bc it's the leeway time you have in the parking garage before you have to pay --BUT, not to worry, they'll validate your parking ticket if you go over 12 mins!) Best thing is no fees & no extra charges! TIPS: - If you need a lot of currency, make sure to call or email & when you plan to pick it up. I found out that they sold out of kuna the day I needed it & if I didn't reserve it, I woulda been SOL. - Enter the parking garage from Figueroa. They can only validate if you enter from that side. - It's a small office located on the first floor. read more

I went there on Monday to exchange American $ to Japanese yen. Fast service. Highly recommended.

I have been coming here once or twice a year for vacation money to save on exchanging when I get to a destination. I keep coming back because they are wonderful, I never thought I'd review a money exchange place but HA here I am! They are so helpful, just got back from Cuba and when I exchanged before going I heard to change to Euros but when I got there the guy suggested I change to Canadian bec the rate was better when I got there....there is a 10% surcharge to change US money to Cuban if you do it in Cuba hence the exchange before. Anyhow, they were so helpful and really quick about getting you a garage validation so parking was free. Also prior to this last time I called 3 other exchange places in downtown and all gave less favorable rates than here. So not only are they super friendly (even asked how my Cuba trip was when I changed money back) and helpful but they also give the best rates. Highly recommend this place!!! read more

Fast and friendly service! I recently came here to get Euros for my trip to Italy. There was no wait and I was able to exchange money very quickly. The man behind the counter was super friendly too. I would definitely come back here again! read more

It's always easy to Exchange money, low exchange rate and friendly staff. Only problem sometimes can be the parking. read more

The best currency exchange service in LA with the best rates. Give them a call before you go and they can make sure you park in the correct place. They validate so parking is free if you go in the correct lot. They are very accommodating! read more

BEWARE! BAIT n SWITCH + consistently gave me the lowest rate then when i show up get totally different rate + i have messages stating how much money i have in foreign currency and want USA dollars but at the last direct message she switched from selling to buying USA dollars so her rate went very bad so bad i lost $20 from the original rate she gave me. I HAVE YELP DIRECT MESSAGES FROM HER THAT SHOWS SELL UNTIL LAST DIRECT MESSAGE WHERE SHE CHANGES FROM "SELL" TO "BUY" USA dollars. the messages are very clear. you are better off going to check cashing a block away save you gas. i have chain of DM's that show her dishonesty. dont go and dont get ripped offed. read more

The nice gentleman that helped me was so nice and friendly i will definitely go back for any foreign exchange transaction. So happy i found this place! read more

I mean wowza! I messaged them on yelp the same day I had to exchange $1000USD to EUROS and they set it aside for me. The guy who helped me was so friendly and I was in and out in a matter of minutes. I didn't know at the time that I could have parked closer and I had to rush to get back to my meteor before they towed my car away .... all in all best experience DEFINITELY COMING BACK next time I need foreign mullahhhh. Love: No crowds, NO FEES, the guy who helped me, parking validation (park in the World Trade Center garage... I had to find out the hard way) Hate: Location might be a little tricky to find but just ask someone Love, Blue xoxo read more

Great customer service. The women that helped me was professional and helpful, got straight to the point. Well ran location, I'll definitely be back ! Came in to change USD to BAHT. read more

When I called in the morning to ask what their rate was, I was blown away at how close it was to market value. An AMAZING place for Japanese Yen. I converted my USD to Yen and it was only 1.6% off market value, which is even better or equal to what you could get in Japan. It might've took about five minutes, and that was with two people in front of me. While I was confirming the yen amount she gave me, the woman at the front left the backroom and validated my parking for me so I didn't have to. Very nice! Please look at the directions that Donna C. / Jennifer K. provided because that really helped me and parking is free. I come from Riverside County, and the hour drive was worth it for the fast service and amazing conversion rate. So pleased! read more

MICHELLE and her staff are awesome ~ Super-Friendly and always helpful .. .. Been coming here for over a decade .. .. She always has what you need, and if your transaction might be tricky, send them an e-mail .. .. MUST-GO if you're in Downtown already, and they even help out with parking in the building .. .. THANKS F.C.E. read more

Came here to exchange US Dollars to Japanese Yen before I left for my trip, and it was such a quick and easy process. I found out later that it was unnecessary to exchange as much money as I did but that is beside the point. I called ahead to ask for the exchange rate that day, and to let them know how much I was planning to exchange. I actually started researching local currency exchange rates a week or two prior to leaving for Japan. As others have mentioned in their reviews, this place had the best rates in DTLA. Walked here during my lunch break and it was surprisingly quiet and empty. From the street, a security guard directed me to walk into the parking garage and take the elevator up to the first floor of the building. I was immediately greeted and serviced the second that I walked through the door. I gave her my USD and in return, I received Japanese Yen and a receipt. I was also offered to have my parking validated. The whole process took less than five minutes. I definitely recommend coming here if you would like to exchange foreign currency without a fee! read more

2 dollars for parking if you get the validation. The environment is so good , and the guy who works there is very kind and helpful ! No transection fees, the best currency exchange place ever!!!!!!! read more

Foreign Currency Express - Currency Exchange Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came here a few times prior to my trip to Japan to exchange my USD to JPY. There are two type of currency exchange transaction you can partake in. Either they give you a lower rate (and it's not always lower) with a fee or you can pay a fee and they give you a better rate (that's also not always true). Shop around to see which method will benefit you most. Definitely check around if you're exchanging a big chunk of change. You can also check the currency exchange rate online (you can google it up rather quickly) to see the rate and know that the rate they offer will be a little less to compensate for the service. At this spot, they offer a higher rate (no fee), but still a very competitive rate in comparison to the other local places--one of the best. If you'd like to know the exact rate they're offering, give them a call. They also have it posted on their walls if you want to drive down and look. They're very efficient and a second person, if available, will help you if the first cashier is busy. They also give you a receipt with the amount so you can check, which is great for me when I'm trying to adapt to a different currency and its rate. Once you leave the window it's your responsibility, so make sure to check right away! Validation is provided for parking so make sure you ask for one. It's 15 minutes so get in and get out. read more

Hands down the best place to exchange money if you're traveling. I've been using them for years. They're super responsive and offer the best rates. They also validate parking so you don't have to worry about paying for parking in DTLA. read more

Open hours are tight and parking is free for 5 min. Got my money exchanged and was outta there in time.

Quick, easy, good rates, lot of currency available. It's located in a building so wasn't too easy to find. I called ahead to make sure they had what I needed and they did. When I arrived, it was as easy as filling out a paper and that's it. No muss, no fuss. I walked here from the office (I work in downtown). But if you need to drive here, it may be a bit harder to find parking. Parking in downtown Los Angeles pretty much sucks everywhere so it's not exclusive to this location. If you take a DASH, there is a stop right in front of the building. Definitely will use this place again if I have to exchange money. read more

This is the best currency exchange place I been to. Their rates are the best. I been to a few and this one has the best rates. My rule of thumb before i travel to a foreign country is to take cash incase something happens to my credit cards/ debit card. 5 STARS!! read more

I would've given Foreign Currency express 5 stars if we didn't have our parking problem . Foreign Currency Express is located conveniently downtown in the World Trade Center in LA. They were the only people in downtown (I searched banks and other local currency exchanges) to have Thai baht on hand and at a very fair rate too! The owner was kind and very helpful so I give on service however there was some misunderstanding when she validated our parking ticket. She told me that the ticket was validated and 12 minutes were free however the Parking structure attendant said that we were supposed to receive separate parking coupons for validation. So we ended up paying the $3.50 per 10 minute rate to avoid inconvenience. Overall this is a good place, just make sure you get your parking validated correctly read more

Best rate and free parking ! Somewhat tricky to find but you'll see the parking structure entrance and you'll see there parking spots with their signs. read more