Zmenáreň is a currency exchange office where you can change cash, for example, hryvnias or dollars for euros. The main trap here is the difference between the exchange rate and hidden fees, which can result in you receiving noticeably less than you expected.
What to look for
- Buying and selling rate — the difference between them (spread) is how the exchange office makes money.
- Commission — the sign "bez poplatku" (without commission) often just means a worse exchange rate.
- Final amount — always ask how much you will receive "in hand".
Exchange offices in airports, train stations, and tourist areas usually have the worst rates. The rate at a bank or paying by card is often more favorable than exchanging cash.
Before exchanging, it is useful to check the indicative rate of the National Bank of Slovakia (Národná banka Slovenska) to understand how fair the exchange office's offer is, and do not hesitate to go to another place.