Best way to take all my money back to the UK

[MrsMonkey]

Hi,
I'm leaving HK permanently at the end of July. I need to remove all the money from my HK HSBC basic account and put it back in my UK building society account. Is the best way (ie. the way in which I lose the least amount of money):

1. Close the HSBC account and do a bank transfer
2. Leave the HSBC account open but still transfer all its contents to the UK account
3. Take all my money out in cash in HK and change it, either here in HK or back in the UK
4. Withdraw it all from an HSBC ATM in the UK and then leave the account open
5. Something else

I don't plan to come back here so should probably close the HSBC account, right?

I have no idea at all, any help is welcome. Thanks

[MovingIn07]

I usually leave accounts open just in case I need them in the future - for online shopping or if I come back on holiday - and transfer money using bank transfers. Bear in mind you may have unexpected costs right up until you leave and even after if you forget to pay for something, so if you leave it open you can transfer the money after you have left providing you make sure you know how to do it.

[HowardCoombs]

5) Txfer out first and then close the account.

[dctoki]

Agree with HC on this. I leave at the end of this month and am in the process of wiring all my US dollars to my US bank account for a nominal fee (I don't have a premier status nor a US HSBC account). I still have a little bit of HK money in my account which I plan on spending right up until the day I leave. I plan to close out my account on the very last day as it is a quick and simple procedure. If for some reason I run out of money, I will just withdraw from an ATM using my US ATM card.

[AIP]

Depending on the sum you may find it more cost effective to use a specialist company. I transferred money from UK recently using hifx.co.uk and got a significantly better rate than using HSBC. It's worth looking at the site to do a comparison.

[packy_crusher]

Why don't you use it all to buy a rare coin. Then when you arrived back in the UK, sell the coin and you will have you money.