What is USD?
Currency: |
US Dollar |
Central Bank: |
Federal Reserve Bank |
Currency symbol: |
$ (dollar) |
Currency sub unit: |
¢ (cent) |
Nicknames: |
greenback, buck, dough, green |
Bank notes: |
$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 |
Coins: |
1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1 |
The US dollar (USD) is one of the widely used currencies in the world and serves as the official currency in several countries and regions outside the United States, including the Caribbean, Ecuador and El Salvador.
Don’t be surprised to hear dollarsreferred to as ‘bucks’ when you are out and about, this is a commonly used nickname! You may also hear 5 cent coins referred to as ‘nickels’, 10 cent coins as ‘dimes’ and 25 cent coins as a ‘quarters’.
Tipping is standard practice across America and you will be expected to pay up to 15% on top of your meal – or even 20% for upmarket restaurants. Thankfully, portion sizes tend to be very generous indeed, so you’re unlikely to feel short-changed!
Plan ahead with currency bundles, travel insurance & eSIMs
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US dollar | Canadian dollar |
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US dollar | Canadian dollar |
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Discover more with Cover-More travel insurance by your side. |
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USD Goes Further with the Travelex Money Card
- Our Travelex Money Card gives you better rates than Cash
- Receive even better rates when exchanging $2,000 and over
- Free delivery to your home or to your local Travelex store
What to spend your dollars on
-
Smart gambling in Vegas
1 USD
-
Grand Central Station to
the Empire State Building5.50 USD
-
Catch an LA Lakers game (from)
35 USD
-
IMAX at the L.A. Chinese Theatre
19 USD
-
Sip fresh coffee at Central Park
4 USD
Buying US dollars online is easy
Order American dollars online, lock in the rate and collect at your local store or at the airport before you fly
Discover where to buy USD in Australia
You can buy USD online or in-store at any of our branches around Australia.
Check our full list of branches, or click the links below to find your nearest money exchange store and lock in buying USD at a great rate today.
Plan your USA adventure
Welcome to our USA destination hub. From financial tips to unmissable sights, prepare for your trip with our comprehensive guides.
USD currency services
USA travel guides
The best time to buy US dollars is when the Australian dollar is strong, as you’ll get more USD for your money. Exchange rates shift daily, so it’s worth watching market trends. Use our USD exchange rate tracker to set alerts and be notified when the U.S dollar has reached your desired rate.
You can buy USD at any Travelex store across Australia or order online for click-and-collect at your nearest location. Travelex also offers home delivery to most areas — so you can exchange currency without leaving the house.
The cheapest way is to buy USD online and either pick it up in-store or have it delivered. Travelex offers better online rates than in-store, with extra savings when exchanging $2,000 AUD or more. For the best overall deal, load your USD onto a Travelex Money Card to lock in the rate and avoid market fluctuations.
Unfortunately, no one can say for sure as exchange rates depend on global events, interest rates, and economic trends in both Australia and the US. Historically, the AUD to USD rate has ranged from as low as $0.47 to above $1.10. To avoid surprise fluctuations, consider using a Travelex Money Card to lock in today’s rate.
The best time to buy US dollars is when the Australian dollar is strong, as you’ll get more USD for your money. Exchange rates shift daily, so it’s worth watching market trends. Use our USD exchange rate tracker to set alerts and be notified when the U.S dollar has reached your desired rate.
You can buy USD at any Travelex store across Australia or order online for click-and-collect at your nearest location. Travelex also offers home delivery to most areas — so you can exchange currency without leaving the house.
The cheapest way is to buy USD online and either pick it up in-store or have it delivered. Travelex offers better online rates than in-store, with extra savings when exchanging $2,000 AUD or more. For the best overall deal, load your USD onto a Travelex Money Card to lock in the rate and avoid market fluctuations.
Unfortunately, no one can say for sure as exchange rates depend on global events, interest rates, and economic trends in both Australia and the US. Historically, the AUD to USD rate has ranged from as low as $0.47 to above $1.10. To avoid surprise fluctuations, consider using a Travelex Money Card to lock in today’s rate.