m&s travel money in store

Discover every bank branch and currency exchange location in the UK.

You are here: Home / Blog / M&S Travel Money: Rates and Bureau de Change

M&S Travel Money: Rates and Bureau de Change

This guide walks through all you need to know about Marks and Spencer (M&S) travel money, including rates, fees and availability. We’ll also cover how the Wise account can help you spend less on travel money, so you enjoy your trip more.

M&S travel money rate

It’s important to know the exchange rate you’ll get for your travel money - but rates can be confusing as they change all the time. Some providers, like M&S also offer different rates depending on the specific service you want. Here’s an example of the M&S euro exchange rate and the rate you’ll get if you’re buying US dollars:

Exchange rates correct at time of research (25th November 2020)

As you can see, you’ll get a better rate if you order in advance using the click & collect service, as long as you’re not looking to use the same day option .

However, you’ll still need to be wary about the rates on offer, and compare them to the mid-market exchange rate to check if they are the best available for your transaction. We’ll take a look at why that is - and a smart way to use Wise (formerly TransferWise) to get more convenient currency exchange for your trip - in just a moment.

Marks and Spencer click and collect

The M&S click and collect service allows you to order currency online and collect it in store at your convenience. You can order euros and US dollars for same day collection, although currencies may take up to 7 working days to be prepared for collection.

If you’re planning on using M&S click and collect it’s important to note :

• You must be aged over 18
• You must be a UK resident
• Only the person who placed the order can collect it - ID will be required
• You’ll need to provide the payment card used when ordering when you collect
• There’s a £10 fee for cancelling an order

Marks and Spencer states there is no fee for having your order prepared through the click and collect service. However, it’s worth noting that the exchange rate you’re offered for the same day service is poor, compared to the normal click and collect rate. In effect this is an additional fee for the convenience of getting your travel money more quickly.

What are the fees for buying travel money with Marks and Spencer

There’s no explicit fee for getting your travel money through M&S. However, that does not mean it’s free .

When you buy foreign currency you always need to look at both the upfront fees or commission charges, and the exchange rates being used. It’s common for banks and currency providers to use an enticing headline offer - such as zero fee exchange, or 0% commission - but include their costs in the exchange rates they use instead. This means you’re still paying a fee - it’s just more difficult to see .

Marks and Spencer offers a different exchange rate for the same day click and collect service, compared to the regular click and collect options. The rate you’ll get for the more convenient same day pick up is not as good as the normal click and collect rate. That’s because an extra charge has been rolled into the rate used to compensate M&S for the extra work of preparing your currency more quickly, and to boost their profits.

To see this in action, compare the different rates offered by M&S travel money against the live mid-market exchange rate for your currency. You may find that both rates vary from the mid-market exchange rate - even the regular click and collect rate. That’s likely to be because a markup has been added.

Exchange rate markups matter because they’re not transparent. If there’s a markup added to the rate used to convert your currency you may be losing out, and paying more fees than you think for your travel money.

Save with Wise when you spend in any currency

The smart way to avoid exchange rate markups is to use low cost currency specialist Wise .

Wise offers customers the real mid-market exchange rate every time, with low, clear and transparent fees.

If you’re planning on travelling abroad, you can get a free online Wise account with a linked Mastercard debit card .

Top up your account in pounds and you can then switch to whichever currency you need, using the mid-market exchange rate. Spend for free all over the world using your card, or withdraw local currency from ATMs wherever you are.

You’ll be able to withdraw up to the currency equivalent of £200 per month with no fee, and a small percentage charge after that. There’s no waiting around for your currency, and you can manage your money from your laptop or mobile device. Simple.

Marks and Spencer travel money products

Let’s take a look at the different options available through M&S travel money.

Click & Collect

You can order from £250 to £2,500 in foreign currency online for collection at a branch of your choosing. You’ll need to pay by card, and take along your payment card and a government issued ID when you collect your money. It’s worth noting that euros and US dollars are available quickly, but some other currencies may take up to 7 working days to prepare.

Same Day click & Collect

If you order before 4pm, you’ll be able to pick up euros or US dollars immediately at your local M&S store. However, the exchange rate you’ll get won’t be as favourable as the regular click and collect rate - it’s set the same as the walk-in exchange rate.

Foreign exchange bureaux

You can buy some foreign currency without needing to order in advance, by simply walking into a M&S store which has an exchange bureau. Over 40 currencies are available, although the amounts and currencies available may vary. For this reason it’s worth calling in advance if you’re looking to buy a lot of travel money or an unusual currency.

Not all Marks and Spencer branches have an exchange bureau, and not all exchange bureaux operate at all times. Look for more information about the branches near you, using the Marks and Spencer online branch finder .

M&S currency buy back

If you end up with extra foreign currency after your trip you can take it back to M&S using their buy back service. You’ll need to keep your original receipt to do this, and can only switch notes in denominations M&S sell. Coins won’t be accepted, although you can donate unwanted foreign coins to charity via the Marks and Spencer exchange bureaux.

M&S currency buy back rate

The exchange rate offered by M&S for currency buy back is not the same as the exchange rate you’ll get for buying currency in the first place. The rate used for buy back will be set by M&S at the time you’re switching your money back and may include markups.

Because the exchange rate will change day by day - and because there’s a chance of markups being added to the rates used for buy back - you may not get back as much as you expect when you convert your unwanted currency back after your holiday.

M&S travel money Bureau de Change

There are over 100 exchange bureaux in Marks and Spencer stores around the UK. However, not all are open all the time, and services available can vary. Check in advance if you’re planning on heading out to an M&S bureau de exchange.

M&S foreign currency London

Different M&S stores offer different travel money services. You’ll find you can collect your travel money from a broad range of stores - including some Simply Food outlets - if you order through click and collect. You’ll be able to choose the best store to collect from when you order, based on your location.

However if you want to walk into a bureau you’ll need to find a Marks and Spencer with an exchange service. At the time of writing, many of the exchange desks are closed due to concerns and restrictions related to the global pandemic. There’s an up to date listing of available services over on the M&S website. Call in advance if you want to check your local store is operating normally.

Does M&S offer a travel money card?

Marks and Spencer does not offer a travel money card at this point. If you want a simple way to top up and spend when you travel, check out the Wise account which comes with a linked debit card you can use just like a travel money card.

No matter where you decide to buy your travel money, make sure you compare the available exchange rates - as well as any upfront fees - against other services to make sure you’re getting the best available deal.

Return to the blog .

• United States
• United Kingdom

Marks & Spencer Travel Money

Find out more about marks & spencer's travel money options with our useful guide..

In this guide

What services does Marks & Spencer offer?

What currencies can i order through marks & spencer, how much can i transfer with marks & spencer, how soon can i get my money, how safe is my money, are there any fees i might have to pay, customer service information for m&s.

As well as socks, pants, and sandwiches Marks & Spencer also buy and sell travel money. If you need some cash you can visit your nearest M&S Bureau de Change – available in over 120 M&S stores across the UK.

• Wide range of foreign currencies
• SameDay Click & Collect
• Order between £150 and £2,500

M&S offers two services:

• Buy in store. You’re able to visit your nearest store to get hold of some travel money. Head to the M&S website to find your nearest store!
• Home delivery. If you have an M&S Credit Card or Chargecard, you can order between £100 and £2,500 of foreign currency online or over the phone. And if you order your travel money before 1pm, M&S will deliver it to your home address the next working day.

M&S also offer a buy-back service, so you can sell your leftover travel money at the buy-back rate on the same day you return it.

Here’s a list of some of the main currencies that are available with M&S:

• Argentine Peso (ARS)
• Australian Dollar (AUD)
• Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
• Brazilian Real (BRL)
• Brunei Dollar (BND)
• Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
• Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Chilean Peso (CLP)
• Chinese Yuan Renmibi (CNY)
• Croatian Kuna (HRK)
• Czech Koruna (CZK)
• Fiji Dollar (FJD)
• Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
• Hungarian Forint (HUF)
• Iceland Krona (ISK)
• Indonesaian Rupiah (IDR)
• New Israeli Sheqel (ILS)
• Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
• Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
• Kenyan Shilling (KES)
• Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
• Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
• Mauritius Rupee (MUR)
• Mexican Peso (MXN)
• New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Omani Rial (OMR)
• Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
• Philippine Peso (PHP)
• Polish Zloty (PLN)
• Qatari Rial (QAR)
• Romanian Leu (RON)
• Russian Ruble (RUB)
• Saudi Riyal (SAR)
• Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• South African Rand (ZAR)
• South Korean Won (KRW)
• Swedish Krona (SEK)
• Swiss Franc (CHF)
• New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
• Thai Baht (THB)
• Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)
• Turkish Lira (TRY)
• UAE Dirham (AED)
• US Dollar (USD)
• Vietnamese Dong (VND)
• Aland Islands (ALA)
• Andorra (AND)
• Argentina (ARG)
• Australia (AUS)
• Austria (AUT)
• Bahrain (BHR)
• Belgium (BEL)
• Brazil (BRA)
• Brunei (BRN)
• Bulgaria (BGR)
• Canada (CAN)
• Chile (CHL)
• China (CHN)
• Croatia (HRV)
• Cyprus (CYP)
• Czech Republic (CZE)
• Estonia (EST)
• Finland (FIN)
• France (FRA)
• French Guiana (GUF)
• French Southern Territories (ATF)
• Germany (DEU)
• Greece (GRC)
• Guadeloupe (GLP)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• Hungary (HUN)
• Iceland (ISL)
• Indonesia (IDN)
• Ireland (IRL)
• Israel (ISR)
• Italy (ITA)
• Jamaica (JAM)
• Japan (JPN)
• Jordan (JOR)
• Kenya (KEN)
• Kuwait (KWT)
• Latvia (LVA)
• Lithuania (LTU)
• Luxembourg (LUX)
• Malaysia (MYS)
• Malta (MLT)
• Martinique (MTQ)
• Mauritius (MUS)
• Mayotte (MYT)
• Mexico (MEX)
• Monaco (MCO)
• Montenegro (MNE)
• Netherlands (NLD)
• New Zealand (NZL)
• Norway (NOR)
• Philippines (PHL)
• Poland (POL)
• Portugal (PRT)
• Qatar (QAT)
• Reunion (REU)
• Romania (ROU)
• Russia (RUS)
• Saint Barthelemy (BLM)
• Saint Martin (MAF)
• Saint Pierre And Miquelon (SPM)
• San Marino (SMR)
• Saudi Arabia (SAU)
• Singapore (SGP)
• Slovakia (SVK)
• Slovenia (SVN)
• South Africa (ZAF)
• South Korea (KOR)
• Spain (ESP)
• Sweden (SWE)
• Switzerland (CHE)
• Taiwan (TWN)
• Thailand (THA)
• Trinidad And Tobago (TTO)
• Turkey (TUR)
• United Arab Emirates (ARE)
• United States (USA)
• Vietnam (VNM)

Orders are subject to a minimum value of £150 and a maximum value of £2,500.

Once you have ordered your card it can take up to ten working days for you to receive it. However, providing there are no delays with Royal Mail, you will typically receive your card within five working days . FairFX do not have a fast track service and you cannot collect our cards from any collection points.

Unlike cash, if you lose it or it’s stolen, FairFX have you covered. (See FairFX’s terms and conditions for further details). You’re also covered against shocks on your statement when you get home. It’s all there, in real time, upfront.

There is a £5 post and packaging charge for orders with a total value of less than £500. Orders of £500 or more are delivered free.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use . When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

Charlie Barton

Charlie Barton was a publisher at Finder. He specialised in banking and investments products, including banking apps, current accounts, share-dealing platforms and stocks and shares ISAs. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics, and in his spare time enjoys long walks on the beach.

More guides on Finder

DigiAssets 2024, the leading digital asset conference is returning to London this May. Check out the speakers and get 10% off tickets with Finder.

How to get £175 from switching to first direct. Plus, how to get up to £136.50 in savings interest through first direct’s Regular Saver.

The Finder team roamed the streets of London to quiz the general public about whether they prefer cash or card. Paid content.

Reddit’s recent initial public offering was a success by some measures. Here’s what you need to know, and what might happen next with Reddit shares after the IPO.

Discover how you could benefit from the Yonder “free membership” credit card.

IPOs of big names like Uber have been popular with investors. But our research into share price performance suggests it could pay to wait.

Here’s what UK investors need to know about incoming changes in 2024 to tax-free allowances and the stocks and shares ISA account.

Discover what hoops you need to jump through to pocket £100 now and a bonus £120 later for switching to an HSBC Advance account.

Commission-free share-trading app Robinhood has launched in the UK. Our investing expert tried it out – find out the pros and cons.

How to get £20 by signing up to Revolut. Plus everything you need to know about how to opt into a 3-month free trial of Revolut Premium.

2 Responses

I want to buy $100 & 100 euros at handforth dean

Hi Dr. Russ,

Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

If you want to purchase currency. M&S offers two services:

Buy in store. You’re able to visit your nearest store to get hold of some travel money. Head to the M&S website to find your nearest store! Home delivery. If you have an M&S Credit Card or Chargecard, you can order between £100 and £2,500 of foreign currency online or over the phone. And if you order your travel money before 1pm, M&S will deliver it to your home address the next working day.

Hope this helps!

Cheers, Reggie

How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Advertiser Disclosure

finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.

Insurance servicing

• Life insurance (opens in a new window)
• Home insurance (opens in a new window)
• Travel insurance (opens in a new window)
• Car insurance (opens in a new window)

Internet Banking

• Sign in to internet banking (opens in a new window)
• Register for internet banking (opens in a new window)

Guide to travelling with cash

How much money can you take abroad.

If you’re travelling abroad from the UK with £10,000 cash or more, you’ll need to declare it with UK customs. You will need to declare €10,000 cash or more if you carry it between Northern Ireland and any non-EU country See footnote 1 1 .

Elsewhere, rules on carrying cash vary from country to country. For example, for countries in the EU, you’ll need to fill in a cash declaration form or declare money at an airport if you’re carrying €10,000 or more but this won’t apply to every European country See footnote 2 2 . Figures vary even more when travelling to countries on other continents with different currencies.

To avoid being issued a fine or having your money seized, it’s always best to check your destination’s local rules in advance.

How much cash can I bring into the UK?

If you’re bringing £10,000 cash or more into the UK, or €10,000 or more into Northern Ireland, you’ll need to declare it with customs See footnote 3 3 .

You’ll need to make a declaration if the total amount of cash your group or family is travelling with exceeds the £10,000 or €10,000 limit, even if individuals are carrying less than that.

You’ll have to give details about:

• who’s carrying the cash
• your journey
• how the cash was generated
• how the cash will be used

Declarations can be made 72 hours before you travel See footnote 4 4 .

Travelling with cash abroad

Follow these five tips to keep your cash safe when abroad:

• Split where you store your money – This is one of the best ways to make sure that if someone steals your cash, they don’t take all of it. Perhaps you could share your money between a group to lower the risk of losing it all from one theft.
• Only carry what you need – By splitting your money and only taking out what you need each day you can minimise the amount of cash you lose if a wallet or purse is misplaced or stolen.
• Consider a money belt – If you really want to keep your cash close, a money belt could be the answer. Wearable wallets are often slim enough to hide under clothing and some models stop would-be thieves from making contactless card payments if your debit and credit cards are stored inside.
• Store your cash securely – Taking time to set a combination and using a hotel or apartment safe can give you peace of mind that your money is stored securely.
• Exchange money with official vendors – It may be tempting to exchange currencies with street vendors offering competitive rates, but your money is always safest with a bureau exchange at a fixed address.

Buy foreign currency for your next holiday with M&S Travel Money .

Updated July 2023

Planning a holiday abroad?

Travelling to Europe or beyond? Check out our handy guide to help make your trip perfect.

Will you need euros?

Find out which countries use the euro and learn more about the currency.

Need some winter sun?

Planning a winter sunshine break? Use our handy guide to help with your holiday planning.

1. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

2. Correct at time of publication, see  European Commission for up-to-date information

3. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

4. Correct at time of publication, see  gov.uk for up-to-date information

Free delivery when you spend £60 | Free returns for online orders | Free store collection

Ways to pay

How can we help.

Payment methods & security Interest-free credit information Vouchers, gift cards and discount

Payment methods and security

What is Clearpay?

Clearpay is a payment service that lends customers a fixed amount of credit to make purchases instantly and then pay for them in four automatic instalments, made every two weeks, without any interest (late fees apply). Please use Clearpay responsibly.

The service is provided by Clearpay Finance Ltd. Clearpay Plans are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Can I use Clearpay?

You can apply to use Clearpay to pay for your online order as long as you’re over 18, a permanent UK resident and have a UK billing address, UK mobile number and debit or credit card.

If your basket amount is between £30 and £800, after any deductions, it should qualify for Clearpay. However, Clearpay will decide if you are eligible to pay by Clearpay. Unfortunately, we don’t offer Clearpay on baskets containing gift cards, e-gift cards, food, alcohol and on some furniture items.

Clearpay is not available for in-store purchases or phone orders.

Clearpay can be used in conjunction with gift cards, loyalty reward vouchers and valid promotion codes and coupons, but not debit or credit cards.

You can place more than one order using Clearpay as long as your payment is approved.

Where you use Clearpay, you will enter into two contracts, one with us for the supply of goods and/or services and one with Clearpay so that you can pay in instalments. The contract with Clearpay will be governed by their terms and conditions.

How do I pay with Clearpay?

Select Clearpay as your payment method at checkout and we’ll redirect you to Clearpay’s website. You’ll need to complete a short registration form if you are a new Clearpay customer. This will include providing Clearpay with some details including your name, date of birth, address and your debit or credit card details. You will also need to read and accept Clearpay’s terms and conditions to enable your order to be completed. For returning customers, you will just need to select Clearpay and log in to your Clearpay account on the M&S checkout page and accept Clearpay’s terms and conditions to complete your order. You will receive an instant decision after some initial checks by Clearpay, confirming if you are eligible to use this service as a payment method. Please note that the log-in details for Clearpay will be different from the log-in details you use for your M&S online account.

If approved, payment for your item(s) will be taken in four interest-free* instalments. You’ll be required to make the first instalment (25% of the total amount) when placing your order. The remaining balance is split into three equal payments that are automatically deducted from your Clearpay account every two weeks. The amount owed will be adjusted for any returns. You can log in to your Clearpay account, click here , at any time to see the status of your payments.

*Late payments

If you cannot make a payment, please contact Clearpay here .

As soon as you miss a payment, Clearpay will immediately stop you from making any further purchases with Clearpay.

Clearpay will give you until 11pm on the following day to make your repayment, at which time you will incur a late fee if you have not been able to make the payment. This will be an initial £6, then a further fee of £6 if the missed payment is not made within seven days. If your order is less than £24, the total late fee will be £6. If your order is £24 or more, total late fees will not exceed 25% of the total order or £24, whichever is less.

Clearpay debt may be passed to a debt-collection agency, and this may affect your ability to use Clearpay in the future.We encourage you to use Clearpay responsibly. Please see Clearpay Terms of Service for further details.

When will my order be delivered if I use Clearpay?

The same delivery times apply regardless of how you pay. Visit Your Account, click here

How can I return an item paid for by Clearpay?

Click here for full details of our return instructions.

You can return any unwanted items paid for by Clearpay in any UK store including Simply Food, M&S Food and Outlet stores (but excluding hospital, airport, train station, BP and Moto stores). You can also return items by post Clearpay will be in touch and any outstanding payments in relation to the returned item(s) will be stopped. Clearpay will refund the card linked to your Clearpay account for the amount of any payments received in relation to the returned item(s) within 3-5 working days.

When will I get my refund?

Refunds will be processed by Clearpay 3-5 working days after we've received the item(s) back. Full details can be found online in your Clearpay account.

Can I exchange my item(s) with Clearpay?

While we are unable to directly offer an exchange on orders placed through Clearpay, you are able to return the item(s) for a refund and place a new order online.

Where can I find out more about Clearpay?

Visit the Clearpay website h​ere ​for a comprehensive list of FAQs, Clearpay Terms of Service ​here , and Privacy Policy h​ere​ .

PayPal can be used to pay for all online orders (except baskets containing furniture items in the case of PayPal ‘Pay In 3’ instalments) – you just need to have an active PayPal account. You can use PayPal as part payment alongside gift cards and loyalty rewards vouchers and in conjunction with promotions and coupons. Unfortunately, you cannot use PayPal for in-store purchases or phone orders or to pay by PayPal ‘Pay In 3’ on mobile app orders.

When will my order be delivered if I use PayPal?

The same delivery times apply, regardless of how you pay. Visit the M&S ‘ Your Account ’ page, for more information.

How can I return an item paid for by PayPal?

You can return any unwanted items paid for using PayPal in any UK store including Simply Food, M&S Food and Outlet stores (but excluding hospital, airport, train station, BP and Moto stores). You can also return items by post. PayPal will be in touch and any outstanding payments in relation to the returned item(s) will be stopped. PayPal will refund the card linked to your PayPal account for the amount of any payments received in relation to the returned item(s).

Refunds will be processed by PayPal after we’ve received the returned item(s). Full details can be found online in your PayPal account.

Can I exchange my item(s) with PayPal?

While we are unable to directly offer an exchange on orders placed through PayPal, you are able to return the item(s) for a refund and place a new order online.

How do I contact PayPal?

You can reach PayPal by visiting www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/contact-us . M&S is unable to answer any queries related to PayPal payments.

Can I use PayPal ‘Pay In 3’ instalments?

If your basket amount is between £30 and £2000, after any reductions, it should qualify for PayPal ‘Pay In 3’ instalments; however, PayPal will decide if you are eligible to pay by this method. Unfortunately, we don’t offer PayPal ‘Pay In 3’ on baskets containing furniture items or on mobile app orders.

Where you use PayPal ‘Pay In 3’, you will enter into two contracts, one with us for the supply of goods and/or services and one with PayPal so that you can pay in instalments. The contract with PayPal will be governed by their terms and conditions

How do I pay with PayPal ‘Pay In 3’?

Select PayPal as your payment method at checkout (excluding mobile app) and we’ll redirect you to PayPal’s website. You’ll need to complete a short registration form if you are a new PayPal customer. This will include providing PayPal with some details including your name, date of birth, address, e-mail and your debit or credit card details. You will also need to read and accept PayPal’s terms and conditions, in order to complete your order. If you are an existing PayPal customer, you just need to select and log in to your PayPal account on the M&S checkout page and accept PayPal’s terms and conditions to complete your order. You will receive an instant decision after some initial checks by PayPal, confirming if you are eligible to use ‘Pay In 3’ as a payment method. Please note that the login details for your PayPal account will be different from the login details which you use for your M&S online account.

If approved, payment for your item(s) will be taken in three equal interest-free* instalments. You’ll be required to make the first instalment when placing your order. The remaining balance is split into two equal payments that are automatically deducted from your PayPal account over the next two months on the same day of the month as the date of purchase (unless your payment is due on a date which doesn’t exist in that month, in which case the payment will be taken on the last day of that month). The amount owed will be adjusted for any returns. You can log in to your PayPal account, at any time to see the status of your payments.

*Late payments If you do not make a payment in full by the due date, PayPal may report your failure to pay to credit reference agencies, which could affect your credit rating and make it more difficult for you to obtain credit in future. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact PayPal. For more details, see PayPal’s full terms and conditions

Sparks Pay FAQs In Store & Online

What is Sparks Pay?

Sparks Pay is a new way to pay at M&S. As a Sparks customer, you can apply for credit of up to £500 with up to 76 interest-free (on your first order, when you pay your balance in full and up to 45 days for later transactions). We’ll also give you 20% off your first clothing and homeware purchase.

Sparks Pay can be used online and in store at participating UK M&S stores, marksandspencer.com and the M&S app.

How can I apply?

Simply follow the ‘Apply now’ links on the M&S website. We’ll let you know if you’ve been successful straight away.

How do I use Sparks Pay?

After your successful application, we’ll add Sparks Pay to your payment methods within your Sparks account so you can use it whenever you check out online. To use Sparks Pay in store, you need to bind your Sparks Pay account to the M&S app following these 3 easy steps:

1. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the M&S app. Once signed in, tap the ‘More’ menu option on an iPhone or the 'Menu' option on an Android , then scroll down and select ‘In store payment settings’.

2. Follow the prompts on screen, which will then update your digital Sparks card to a QR code.

3. Tap the ’Sparks’ menu option and your Sparks QR code will appear. Scan the code at the till to use Sparks Pay and to access all your other Sparks benefits.

What happens if I accidentally unbind my Sparks Pay account within the M&S app?

Simply follow the above three step process to re-bind your device and continue using Sparks Pay in store.

Do I need to be registered for Sparks to apply for Sparks Pay?

Yes – Sparks Pay is only available to Sparks customers. If you’re not currently registered with Sparks, we’ll sign you up when you apply for your Sparks Pay account.

Where can I use Sparks Pay?

Sparks Pay can be used for online and in store purchases at UK M&S participating stores, on marksandspencer.com and the M&S app.

Sparks Pay is currently unavailable in BP petrol stations and our international stores, including those in the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands, and some M&S stores in hospitals and railways.

Who can I call if I have any questions about my Sparks Pay account?

If you have any general queries about your Sparks Pay account, or experience any problems when using it online, please contact our M&S Bank support team on 0345 900 0900.

If you have problems with accessing your Sparks Pay information via your M&S account or generating your QR code to spend in store, please head to our ‘Help & Contact Us’ page on the website Help & Support | M&S (marksandspencer.com) .

Do I still need to scan my Sparks card?

If you pay for your items using Sparks Pay, there’s no need to also scan your Sparks card in the same transaction. Once you scan your Sparks Pay QR code, our system will recognise you as a Sparks customer and apply any offers or discounts you’re eligible for.

How can I make payments to my Sparks Pay account?

When you apply for Sparks Pay, you’ll be asked to set up a direct debit mandate. During the application process, you can choose to either pay off the full balance or the minimum payment each month.

You can make additional payments each month by standing order or using your own bank’s internet, mobile or telephone banking (more information is available on the reverse of your statement)

Are there any products I can’t pay for with Sparks Pay?

Unfortunately, gift cards and e-gift cards are currently excluded from Sparks Pay.

Can I use Sparks Pay when buying M&S products via Ocado?

Sparks Pay cannot be used on the Ocado website. You can use Sparks Pay at participating UK stores, at marksandspencer.com or the M&S app.

Can I have an additional card holder on the account?

Sparks Pay is only available for one account holder and no additional account holders are permitted.

Why have I not received a card for the account?

Sparks Pay provides a way to pay digitally therefore there is no need for a plastic card to be issued for this account. After opening a Sparks Pay account, you will find the option to pay with Sparks Pay at the checkout.

Will I earn M&S Bank Loyalty points on my transactions?

You don’t earn any Loyalty points on any transaction made with your Sparks Pay account.

How do I view my Sparks member account number when it changes to the QR code in the app?

You can view your Sparks account number by double-clicking the QR code visual in the Sparks section of your account.

If I update my details with M&S Bank, will this change on my Sparks Pay account?

Yes, it will, but you will also need to update your details on your marksandspencer.com account, via marksandspencer.com as well to ensure your contact details and delivery address are accurate. You can do this by going to the 'My Account' section after you've signed in.

Can I change my details in the Sparks Pay servicing area?

You can't change your personal details within the servicing hub; however, M&S Bank are happy to amend them over the phone for you, please contact them on 0345 900 0900 to make the necessary changes. Please note You will also need to update your details on your marksandspencer.com account, via M&S.com as well to ensure your contact details and delivery address are accurate. You can do this by going to the 'My Account' section after you've signed in.

What features are available in the Sparks Pay servicing area?

The servicing area for Sparks Pay will provide you with an account overview, including your balance and most recent transaction. You’ll also be able to make a payment here as well as view and download previous statements.

Can I be sent paper statements?

Should you require any changes to the way you receive your statements, please contact M&S Bank on 0345 900 0900.

How do I log in?

To log in via marksandspencer.com , you can select 'Sparks Pay' from the My Account menu. To log in via the M&S App, you can find 'Sparks Pay' within your account information page.

Why can't I log in?

If you have forgotten your email/password, you will need to follow the steps on the M&S.com website to correct this and log in. For extra security, Sparks Pay customers have 2-Factor Authentication enabled on your account.  Occasionally to keep your account safe, you may be required to follow extra security checks as you log in. When this happens, you will be sent an SMS pin to your mobile number to enter on screen. Please follow the steps shown on your mobile screen. If you have received a message on your Sparks Pay servicing area to contact M&S Bank, please give them a call on 0345 900 0900 and one of our colleagues will be happy to help.

Why is my open Sparks Pay account not an option to use for my transaction?

You may not have enough credit available on your Sparks Pay account, please check your balance to see how much credit you have available and that your basket amount doesn't exceed this. Please note, some products, including gift cards, cannot be purchased using Sparks Pay. Please contact M&S Bank Customer Services team on 0345 900 0900 if the above is not relevant and you're still having issues.

I've closed my Sparks Pay account, can I still use the servicing area?

If you have already closed your Sparks Pay account, then you will no longer have access to the associated servicing area. If you have any queries regarding your closed account, please contact M&S Bank Customer Services team on 0345 900 0900.

Can I use my account to purchase Travel Money?

Your Sparks Pay account can only be used to complete retail purchases on marksandspencer.com , you are not able to purchase Travel Money with this product.

How do I make a payment?

During the application for your Sparks Pay account, we'll have asked you for banking details in order to set up a Direct Debit for repayments. If you'd like to make additional payments you are able to make a faster payment directly from your bank using these details: Sparks Pay 40-12-57 59001115 Please make sure to use your Sparks Pay account number as the reference for the payment. Alternatively, within your Sparks Pay servicing hub, you can select the 'Debit Card Payment' option within the 'Payment' tab.

I have made a payment, but it has not reached my Sparks Pay account, what should I do?

Please contact M&S Bank on 0345 900 0900 and they will be happy to look into this for you.

I want to raise a complaint about Sparks Pay

If you have a complaint about your Sparks Pay account, please contact M&S Bank on 0345 900 0900. If, however, the complaint is with the goods you have purchased with your account, please contact us via our ‘Contact Us’ page on marksandspencer.com .

The Payment Services Directive is a set of EU laws and regulations designed to help protect online payments from fraud. In the next few months, a new update to these regulations called PSD2 will come into effect. The new update aims to make shopping online even safer, smarter and more secure. In line with the new legislation, some of the ways in which we handle online payments will change and you may occassionally need to validate your identity.

Interest-free credit info (furniture)

Interest-free credit general information.

Yes, M&S provides an interest-free credit payment option so customers can spread out the cost of the payments for their new furniture. Our Interest-free credit is currently available online and from our furniture stores.

The following is offered:

• Repayment terms: 12 and 24 months
• Deposit: Optional
• Minimum/maximum loan amount: £500 – £10,000*

*Loan amount is based on the value of the order after any discounts, offers or additional tenders have been applied.

Please visit https://www.creation.co.uk/about-us/terms-and-conditions for full terms and conditions

Select "interest-free credit" as your payment method at the M&S online checkout page.

We will redirect you to Creation's website, where you can apply for interest-free credit. If you successfully pass Creation’s credit checks and electronic signature process, your purchase will be completed and you will be redirected to the M&S online order confirmation page. Occasionally, additional checks may be required or an alternative signature process followed before we can complete your purchase.

To be eligible to apply for interest-free credit, you must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age 18 at the date of application
• Maximum age 85 at the end of agreement (unless the term is 12 months, then there’s no maximum age limit)
• UK resident for the last three years or more
• Employed, self-employed, retired, homemaker or in receipt of disability living allowance
• Hold a valid and active telephone number (this can be a landline or mobile)
• Hold a UK bank account which supports direct debit payments

Our staff will happily take you through the process. Please remember to bring proof of identity, from one of the following:

• A current driving license, passport, or a recent electricity bill

If you meet the above criteria, you will be given the option to apply for and pay using interest-free credit (0.0%APR) on selected M&S products (furniture products), provided your total basket amount is between £500 and £10,000 (after any reductions, offers or discounts have been applied).

Interest-free credit cannot be used in conjunction with a gift card, e-gift card, loyalty rewards voucher or staff discount.

An interest-free credit option may be available when you shop online or in store, but not when you shop over the phone.

In most cases, Creation will provide you with a decision instantly.

There may be times when this isn’t possible and additional checks will be required in order to fully assess your application for interest-free credit. If this happens, you will receive an email from Creation with the result of your application, usually between 1-2 working days after applying. In most cases, you will be able to sign your loan agreement electronically immediately, or log into your Creation account online, using the details provided to you, to sign your loan agreement electronically at a later date. However, occasionally, Creation may have to post the loan agreement for you to sign and return to them. Creation will advise you of the process once your application has been accepted .You can find further information about your loan agreement at: https://www.creation.co.uk/help-centre/finance-agreement-faqs

We will only process your order once Creation confirms you have signed your loan agreement.

No, we don't accept deposits while paying by interest-free credit. There is no fee charged for arranging interest-free credit.

Interest-free credit management

You can manage your loan online by logging into your Creation account: https://www.creation.co.uk/my-account/ .

Here you can see your monthly repayments, outstanding balance and make early repayments.

You can choose to repay your loan by equal monthly payments over 12 or 24 months.

All payments made to Creation will appear on your bank statement.

Yes. You will go through the usual application process each time you apply.

Credit cancellation & returns

Yes. You can cancel your order in accordance with the process set out under the ‘Your right to cancel’ section in the terms and conditions . If you cancel your order, we will let Creation know and your loan agreement will be cancelled.

Yes, see our returns and refunds for full details of our return policy. If you return any item(s) with a total value of £250 or less, the balance on your account will be updated. The amount of your monthly repayment will stay the same, but the term will end as soon as the revised balance has been paid. A receipt for such adjustments can be issued on request. If you return any item(s) which have a total value greater than £250 or greater than 50% of your the agreement total or outstanding balance, then your loan will be cancelled, and a new loan application will be processed.

No. We don’t offer exchanges on items bought using interest-free credit.

Credit lender

Marks and Spencer plc is acting as a credit broker and not a lender. Creation Consumer Finance Limited (Creation) is the lender. Creation is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 311518.If accepted for credit, you will enter into a loan agreement with Creation for the provision of the interest-free credit.

You can contact Creation by telephone 03448 797 214 (please choose option-2 for customer services) or by email [email protected] .

Vouchers, gift cards and discount

You must be logged in to save your gift card to your account. Enter your gift card number and pin on the Gift Card Details page (link: https://www.marksandspencer.com/MSGiftCardBalanceChecker ) and press the ‘Save to Account’ button on the next page.

Gift cards can only be added to one M&S account. This feature is currently only available to UK gift cards that have a 19-digit number. If your gift card number has 16 digits or is EUR-denominated, you will not have the option to save to your account.

Log in to your M&S online account or the app, navigate to Account > Gift Cards https://www.marksandspencer.com/gift-card .

To redeem in stores, select view to display the gift card bar code. Allow the colleague to scan the bar code or if you are on a self-serve till, select ‘Gift Cards’ as the payment method and scan the gift card. To redeem online, select ‘Gift cards’ at check out and select the gift cards you would like to use.

Yes, please keep your original gift card details safe.

Please note: when paying by gift card, you may also be asked to enter your credit or debit card details. This is to prove you are over 18 and to make up the difference if there are insufficient funds on your gift card.

The minimum and maximum activation amounts are as follows:

• Gift cards and e-gift cards can be redeemed at M&S stores in the United Kingdom, ROI and the Channel Islands (including outlet, railway, motorway and airport stores, but excluding Jersey, BP connect stores and M&S Opticians locations) and online at marksandspencer.com (marksandspencer.com/ie for Republic of Ireland).
• They may be used to purchase goods of a higher price than the amount on the card, on payment of the difference.
• Cannot be exchanged for cash or used to pay for M&S Bank services, products or outstanding card balances, made to measure shirts, personalised cards, M&S Energy, to buy another gift card, e-gift card, or to pay Clearpay instalments.
• Cannot be used to pay for made-to-order curtains purchased online, but can be used to pay for made-to-order curtains purchased in store.
• Cannot be used on Ocado.com
• A maximum of ten gift cards or e-gift cards/voucher codes (or a combination of) can be redeemed in any one transaction online.
• If any item purchased with a gift card or e-gift card is subsequently exchanged for an item of a lower price or refunded, any money owing will be added to the remaining balance on the card.
• If you do not spend the entire balance on the gift card /e-gift card, the remaining balance will be updated after each transaction. If spent in store, the remaining balance is shown on your printed till receipt.

Period of validity

Gift cards and e-gift cards are valid for 48 months from the last transaction (which includes the initial card load, adding or spending funds, or balance enquiries). Gift cards and e-gift cards issued in the Republic of Ireland are valid for 60 months from the last transaction.

Any remaining balance will be cancelled on expiry of the validity period.

Balance enquiries can be obtained online or by calling 0333 014 8777 for the UK and Channel Islands (local rates apply) or 01556 9243 for ROI (mobile rates may vary).

Should be treated as cash; they are not cheque guarantee, credit or charge cards. M&S will not accept liability for lost, stolen or damaged cards.

Cancellation

• Cannot be returned or refunded, except in accordance with your statutory rights, for example in the event they are not of satisfactory quality.
• Under the Regulations, (as outlined above), if you are contracting with us as a consumer online or by phone, you have the right to cancel all or part of your order for either a gift card or an e-gift card at any time up to 14 calendar days after the day on which you place your order, provided none of the balance has been spent. Further details are set out above. Please note that if you cancel a gift card you will not be required to return the physical gift card to M&S.

Gift cards purchased in ROI and Channel Islands

• Gift cards and e-gift cards purchased in the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands can be used in UK stores. Where necessary, our systems will convert Euro card balances to Sterling using a regularly updated exchange rate.

Changes to the Gift Card Terms and Conditions

M&S reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions of gift cards and e-gift cards at any time and to take appropriate action, including the cancellation of the card, if, in its discretion, it deems such action necessary. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Gift cards and e-gift cards can be used online at https://www.marksandspencer.com and in all M&S stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. This includes Outlets, Simply Food and Moto service station, hospital, airport and train station stores and M&S cafés, but excludes BP Connect stores and international stores. Please note there is a limit of 10 gift cards per transaction online. To pay for made-to-order curtains with a gift card, they must be purchased in store. You will not be able to use a gift card to pay for made-to-order curtains purchased online.

If you buy a gift card in the Channel Islands or Republic of Ireland, you can spend it in our UK stores. These gift cards will not be accepted online.

Your gift card or e-gift card PIN is a four or five-digit number.

For gift cards you'll find the PIN on the back of the card under the scratch-off panel. Please take care when scratching off the panel, as damaged cards will not be accepted. Attempting to peel the panel off will destroy the PIN.

For e-gift cards, the PIN is featured on the PDF e-gift card attachment.

If your gift card was bought in store, you’ll find the balance on the gift receipt that came with your card. If it was bought online, the balance will be printed inside the presentation card behind your gift card.

You can also check your gift card balance here. Alternatively your gift card/e-gift card can be scanned at the till in store.

Please look after your gift card, because we cannot accept liability for lost, stolen or damaged cards. You can save your gift card to your M&S account to keep it safe, check your gift card balance and expiry within your account, and redeem it easily in-store or online.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/MSGiftCardBalanceChecker

Please check the terms and conditions of the promotion codes you wish to use to see if they can be used in conjunction with other offers.

We’re sorry you're having problems with one of our promotion codes. Please check the following:

The code: some codes contain a mix of numbers and letters that can look quite similar. If you’ve been emailed a code, it might be worth trying to copy and paste it rather than typing it. Please also note that any hyphens included in your promotion code, eg. XXXX-XXXX, must also be entered when adding the code.

Expiry date: the code you’re trying to use might have expired. Please check the date in the terms and conditions of the offer.

Eligible items: you may be trying to order items that aren’t included in the specific offer or you might not be able to use it in conjunction with other offers. Please check the terms and conditions of the offer.

Unique codes: some offers, such as 10% off and bonus loyalty points, can only be used once. It may be that this promotion code has already been used.

International codes: for codes exclusively for our international customers, you must enter your promotion code after entering your international shipping address at the checkout. If you have an international billing address but are shipping to the UK, the offers are usually rendered invalid.

We have a dedicated website for some countries where you can use your promotion code. At the top of the screen you’ll find a flag of the UK – to select an International site just click the flag and then you’ll be able to choose the correct site to redeem your offer.

If you’ve received an email with a promotion code relating to one of these sites, you won’t be able to use this code on our UK site.

Reward vouchers: reward vouchers are different from promotion codes so are entered differently. To use a reward voucher, follow these steps:

• Select the ‘Pay by reward vouchers’ tab in the payment details section of the checkout.
• Enter the 13-digit number on your reward voucher. This can be found under the barcode.
• Select ‘Apply’.

The value of the voucher will then be deducted from your total.

Please note: if you don’t redeem the full value of your voucher, you’ll lose the remaining credit.

Get in touch

Contact customer service by phone​.

Find the right team for your needs.

M&S contact details

Contact customer service online

Select a topic to start a conversation.

OUR TOP PICKS

You currently have no recently viewed items

Would you like to continue shopping ?

You currently have no saved items

Continue shopping

• YOUR BAG ( )

• Home   ›  
• Exchange Rates   ›  

Marks & Spencer exchange rates

Today's latest M&S Bank travel money exchange rates, updated 2 minutes ago at 3:30am

Marks and Spencer have 52 currencies in stock and ready to order now. Buy online and collect your order from one of over 450 M&S Bank Bureaux across the UK. Home delivery is not offered for travel money orders, but you can reserve your currency online and collect it from your nearest store on the same day if you order before 4pm. You must buy your currency online to guarantee these rates or you may be given a lower rate in-store.

Jump to section:

• View today's latest M&S Bank rates
• Compare M&S Bank's rates

Travel money order limits and fees

• M&S Bank reviews

M&S Bank travel money rates

These are the latest M&S Bank exchange rates available online right now.

Compare M&S Bank's exchange rates

We compare hundreds of exchange rates from dozens of currency suppliers across the UK. Select a currency below to see how M&S Bank's rates compare against other providers. Bear in mind that exchange rates aren't the only important factor when it comes to getting the best deal; commission, card surcharges and delivery costs can all affect the final amount of currency you'll receive. You can see the full range of currency deals on offer right now on our travel money comparisons .

M&S offer a collection service for travel money with no minimum or maximum order limits, and no commission. Home delivery is not available at this time.

Latest M&S Bank reviews

Our users have rated M&S Bank Average in 59 reviews. Read more on our M&S Bank reviews page.

Terrible I ordered Canadian dollars online to collect in store at Kingston. Received all in small denominations and was told that they don't have Canadian dollars in 100 denominations.

Read the full review

I have handed over a total of £500 (10x£50 notes wrapped with an elastic band for the purchase Japanese yens ) to a lady at the desk in kingston branch , she put to one side on the desk £100 & inserted the rest in the machine reading £300 . [...]

Vasantha Jennings

Yesterday 26th Oct, I visited your bank to change 500 Aussie dollars for pounds! I handed over my 500 dollars, and to my surprise, I was just kept waiting and waiting while this staff too her own sweet time scanning the notes 1 by 1 under the UV scan [...]

The euro rate at Marks and Spencer right now is 1.15. You'll need to buy or reserve your euros online to guarantee this rate; the euro rate offered in your local branch may be lower if you don't order online beforehand.

Marks and Spencer's exchange rates tend to be slightly better than those offered by other high street supermarkets including Sainsbury's and Tesco , but make sure you order your currency online beforehand or you may be given a lower rate in-store.

Unlike it's rivals, M&S does not offer currency for home delivery which means you'll need to collect your order in person from a nearby M&S travel money bureau.

If you want the absolute best exchange rate on the market, better currency deals are still available from other suppliers, especially if you order online. Check out our travel money comparisons to find the best currency deals available right now.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Please confirm you're happy to receive these cookies in line with our Privacy & Cookie Policy .

Russia Travel Blog  | All about Russia in English

• About our blog
• RussiaTrek.org

Sidebar →

• Architecture
• Entertainment
• RussiaTrek.org News

• Send us a tip with a message
• Support RussiaTrek.org
• Travel Guide to Ukraine
• Comments RSS

← Sidebar

The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

You might also like:

The bridge over Zolotoy Rog Bay in Vladivostok

The views of St. Petersburg from the TV tower >>

Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

Leave a Reply

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Christmas gift guide to Moscow surroundings

Visitors from America and Western Europe might be surprised to discover that Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7th. That’s because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. After the end of the Soviet Union, some Russians have begun celebrating Christmas on December 25 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. But many Russians still observe the tradition of fasting on January 6th, breaking the fast with a large feast on Christmas Eve after the first star has appeared in the sky.

During the Soviet era, Christmas and religious traditions were banned in Russia. Santa Claus was replaced by Ded Moroz, or, Grandfather Frost, an old man with a long white beard who would bring gifts to children on New Year’s instead of Christmas. According to Russian tradition, Ded Moroz is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, the Snowmaiden, who helps him on his journey to give presents to children.

Although the tradition of having a Christmas tree, known as a yolka in Russian, was also banned during Soviet times, Russians got around this by having New Year’s trees from which they hung homemade decorations. Today, the restrictions of the Soviet Union have faded into history, and during the Christmas season visitors to Russia can even purchase Christmas ornaments in the shape of matryoshka dolls, or religious icons that depict nativity scenes.

Heading counterclockwise around the Golden Ring this holiday season, northeast of Moscow, your first stop will most likely be the city of Vladimir, home to some of Russia’s most striking churches and cathedrals. The Vladimir region is known for its fine crystal. Stop by the Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures, and Embroidery Museum ( 2 Bolshaya Moskovskaya ) for an overview of traditional crafts before visiting the gift shop in the museum to browse the crystal selection. Vladimir Chic ( 2 Dvoryanskaya ) also sells local glass and crystal work.

Typical souvenirs are also for sale in Vladimir’s old town, especially by the Golden Gate, a triumphal arch and defensive tower that is one of the last-remaining parts of the wall that once surrounded ancient Vladimir and a sure stop on any tour of the Golden Ring.

Just 63 kilometers from Vladimir lays the nearby city of Gus-Khrustalny , the ‘Crystal Goose,’ also home to a rich glass and crystal making tradition. You can visit the glassmaking factory in Gus-Khrustalny and buy gifts ranging from plates and vases to decanters, or visit the outlet store back in Moscow ( 4 Ilyinka ) just east of the Kremlin.

North of Vladimir, you’ll arrive in Suzdal, one of the Golden Ring route’s more tranquil towns. Suzdal boasts a number of small bazaars and stands outside the main tourist sites where visitors can purchase local honey mead, called medovukha, along with traditional crafts, like a pair valenki, or Russian woolen boots, which make an ideal Christmas gift for friends and family back home. The shopping stands outside Suzdal’s Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life ( Ul. Pushkarskaya ) are also highly recommended. Market Square ( Torgovaya Pl ) houses a number of shops where visitors can search for arts and crafts.

Following the Golden Ring north of Suzdal, many tours will stop in the city of Kostroma, a former trading outpost on the immense Volga River. One of the city’s highlights is the Museum of Linen and Birchbark ( 38 Tereshkova ), where visitors can view exhibits on traditional Russian crafts woven from flax and bark. A gift shop in the basement sells tablecloths, napkins, baskets, linen dolls, and traditional clothing typical of the region.

South from Kostroma, stop in the city of Rostov-Veliky for enamel jewelry, a craft which allows artists to produce small paintings on metal that are then fired to produce a thin glaze over the image. Rostov became famous for its tradition of enamel work. Today, visitors can purchase rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and jewelry boxes in the gift shop of the Rostov Enamel factory ( 3 Borisoglebskoye Highway ).

While you’re in Rostov, visit the House of Crafts ( 16 Vtoraya Tolstovskaya Naberezhnaya ) for local pottery and the Souvenirs shop ( 5 Ul. Kamennyi Most ) for ushanka hats—Russian fur caps with earflaps—paintings, and samovars for tea lovers.

The last two stops on a tour of the Golden Ring are the cities of Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and Sergiev Posad. Pereslavl is most famous for its embroidery work, available at the Art Salon ( 12 Ul. Sovetskaya ) along with souvenirs made of wood and stone. Nearby Sergiev Posad is considered the place where Russia’s matryoshka dolls were first invented, and was the chief production center of the dolls before Soviet times. Visit the city’s Toy Museum ( 123 Pr. Krasny Armii ) to get a better sense of the birthplace of one of Russia’s most recognizable toys, then head over to the market alongside the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius—one of the city’s most important sites—to load up on matryoshka dolls, painted eggs, and icons before going home.

If you’ll be in the Golden Ring during New Years, the city of Vladimir hosts an impressive Christmas fair, with an iceskating rink and performances by local artists, in the main square ( Sobornaya Pl ). In most other Golden Ring cities you’ll find similar events in the center square as Christmas nears.

Most shops and markets in the Golden Ring are open year round. If you’re coming to Russia for a short period of time, whether in winter or summer, consider a trip to this stunning part of the country, and bring an extra bag if you plan to go shopping for Christmas gifts.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.