# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Currency & Exchange

How to Send Money From the USA to England

Sending money between the United States and England can be a confusing and costly process. Although some U.S. banks and wire transfer services will transfer U.S. dollars to British pounds, it can take up to two weeks and often requires you to provide bank details for the sender and receiver. Financial institutions generally charge flat rates for transfers, as well as a currency exchange rate. International money transfers can now be done easily from your home computer, and all you need is internet access.

E-mail address

Instructions

- 1
  Create an email account; if you already have an existing email account, it is not necessary to create a new one.
- 2
  Using your email address as a user name, create a personal PayPal account based in the United States. Following the steps on the PayPal website, link it to your U.S. bank account.
- 3
  Find out if the person you wish to send money to has a PayPal account. If not, ask them to set one up by registering at the UK PayPal website (see resources).
- 4
  Log into your PayPal account and click on the 'Send Money' tab at the top of the page. In the 'To' box, fill in the email address of the person you wish to send money to in England.
- 5
  Enter the amount you wish to send, in U.S. dollars, and confirm the transaction. The funds will be withdrawn from your U.S. bank account.
- 6
  The recipient will receive an instant email notification of your payment. They must log in to their PayPal account and accept the payment in British pounds. PayPal will conduct the currency exchange.
- 7
  The recipient withdraws your payment from their PayPal account to their English bank account. The money will appear in their bank account in approximately 3 to 5 days.