Post Office is 'on the ball' for Euro 2012
From 22 May football fans planning trips to Euro 2012 in June will be able to buy Ukraine currency in their local Post Office. The UK's largest provider of foreign currency has announced that it will be the first to offer nationwide access to Ukraine hryvnia for pre-order and next day delivery at all 11,500 Post Office branches.
Ukraine hryvnia will be offered by The Post Office in a range of denominations. Post Office Travel Money will also buy back left-over currency when fans return from Euro 2012, provided they keep their sales receipt.
The good news for England fans making the journey to Ukraine is that their pounds will stretch much further than they would have done if England had qualified for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Holiday Costs Barometer research by Post Office Travel Money reveals that prices in Ukraine are around half those for the same fast food and drinks items in Austria and virtually one third those in Switzerland.
Fans following teams playing in Poland - and that includes England if they progress to the semi-final stage - will find that country cheap as well. With the pound now surging to a rate that is 23 per cent higher than in May 2011, fans cheering their teams on will find that Polish prices compare well with Ukraine and are significantly cheaper than either Austria or Switzerland - especially for travel from the airport to Warsaw and around the city.
Andrew Brown, Post Office Head of Travel Money, said: "We always recommend that people travelling abroad carry some currency for the country they are visiting and have another form of payment available to ensure that they are covered in all circumstances.
"In Ukraine we recommend always carrying a supply of hryvnia. Although credit and debit cards can be used in the main cities, people travelling outside these or staying in smaller establishments may find they are not accepted."
Ukraine hryvnia and Polish zloty are among over 70 currencies available for pre-order at all 11,500 Post Office branches or online using the 'Click & Collect' service at postoffice.co.uk for next day branch or home delivery. Polish zloty is also one of 30 currencies available on demand at 1,600 larger Post Office branches.