The best, fastest & cheapest ways to send money to United Kingdom

Today’s average USD to GBP exchange rate is 0.7867.

That rate can fluctuate depending on market conditions, and even small changes make a big impact on larger transfers.

If your transfer isn’t urgent, consider monitoring the rate.

But if you’re ready to send, Wise has offered the best rate to the UK most often in the past 6 months.

How you fund your transfer matters, especially if you're trying to save money.

Based on a £2,000 transfer:

• Revolut (Bank transfer): $0 fee + 0.2% markup on the mid-market rate

• Wise (Debit card): $15.85 fee + 0.01% markup

• (Credit card): $0 fee + % markup (may incur cash advance fees)

We recommend avoiding credit cards if possible due to cash advance fees.

Not only are they more expensive, but credit cards may also trigger cash advance fees.

A bank transfer via Revolut or Revolut is usually your best bet.

The UK uses the Faster Payments Scheme, meaning most local bank transfers arrive within minutes, no SWIFT required.

Using SWIFT can slow things down and add unnecessary fees.

ACH, SEPA, and direct account transfers are faster, safer, and often cheaper.

Whether you're paying tuition, covering a deposit, or investing in UK property, it’s important to be aware of provider limits.

Most companies have minimum and maximum thresholds.

For large transfers, Wise is a strong choice, offering transparent pricing and regulatory support.

You may need to provide proof of funds and a valid ID for anything over a certain amount, usually around £5,000 or more.

Transfer speed depends on the provider, time of day, and payment method.

If you need the money there quickly:

• Fastest provider: Wise appeared most often as the fastest GBP service

• Bank transfers with Wise: $44.13 for bank deposits and 0.01% markup

• Debit card transfer with Xe: $22,024.93 for debit card deposits and 1.62% markup with same-day or next-day delivery

• Credit card with : $0 fee and % markup with same-day or next-day delivery but beware of cash advance fees and increased interest rates.

• Cash pickup: Ria, Western Union, and MoneyGram offer near-instant collection options

Just remember, faster transfers usually cost more.

If you’re not in a rush, a standard bank deposit via Revolut will save you money.

Here’s a breakdown of your best options:

Online Transfers

Use a money transfer platform like Wise, ranked the top provider for GBP transfers in 92.9% of cases, or FX brokers for larger, managed payments.

Mobile Apps

Apps like Wise, Revolut, and XE offer better rates than traditional banks and are built for convenience.

Most UK recipients prefer app-based notifications and transfers.

Bank Transfers

Nearly all transfers into the UK go straight into a local bank account using sort code + account number or IBAN.

Most UK banks (Barclays, NatWest, Monzo, HSBC) support instant domestic deposits.

Cash Pickup (Less Common)

While rare, you can still send GBP for cash pickup at Western Union or MoneyGram branches.

This may be useful for tourists or recipients without UK bank access.

Most people in the UK receive transfers directly into their bank accounts or Revolut accounts.

However, depending on the sender and use case, these options are available:

• Bank account deposit: Most common method, with Revolut appearing as the most affordable in 69.1% of searches.

• Cash pickup: Ideal for urgent or unbanked scenarios, but confirm recipient location supports pickup.

• Digital wallets: PayPal is available, but has higher fees than Wise or Revolut. Not ideal for larger transfers.

For most transfers into UK bank accounts, no extra steps are needed, the money just arrives.

But for cash transfers or large transfers, recipients may need:

• Government-issued ID (passport or UK driving licence)

• Sender's full details (name and address)

• Confirmation number

• IBAN or sort code/account number (for bank transfers)

Providers may request additional documents for larger sums to comply with AML rules.

Wise and Wise have systems in place to guide you through this process.

There are no legal limits on how much money you can send to the UK.

In the UK, you’re entitled to receive up to £3,000 worth of gifts a year without paying tax.

Amounts higher than this may become taxable, but only as inheritance tax, if the sender passes away within seven years after sending the money.

You'll also only be taxed on income earned outside the UK if you transfer the money back to the UK.