Hey guys,
I am heading to Bali soon and just wondering what the best way to withdraw money in Bali.
Is there like a best bank to use atm with?
Thanks
Withdrawing Money in Bali
letthiswork1 on 23/09/2017 - 11:20
Last edited 23/09/2017 - 11:29 by 1 other user
Last edited 23/09/2017 - 11:29 by 1 other user
Comments
Well to be accurate it hasn't erupted yet, just on high alert due to tremors.
People are only leaving the small area around the volcano. It's a reasonably big island you know…
Rubbish. I'm in Ubud in Bali and no one is leaving.
We didn't even feel the tremors here.
I just use an ATM to withdraw cash, you know… like people usually do.
Volcano isn't an issue with safety especially if you are just going to the usual Kuta / Seminyak / Canggu / Nusa Dua etc, but it may affect flights. IF the ash stops flights, you may have to catch a boat to Lombok (only a couple of hours) and fly from there. But if it affects Lombok too next option is boat to Surabaya which is 2 days!!
I use the Citibank Plus card to withdraw cash from ATMs overseas. Worked great when I was over there last December. Conversion rates with the card were often far better than going to a money changer. This whirlpool post has more info if you're interested: https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/citibank_plus_transaction_acco…
They literally have the Commonwealth Bank - with ATM's there.
Just be prepared. I went to the branch to withdraw money on a weekend and the only ATM was broken…
And ANZ, Citibank, HSBC, etc.
Indonesia's Commbank ATM network is separate.. you'll get hit with foreign ATM fees, exchange rate fees, etc
Here is a comparison from a recent transaction using my combank card on a commbank atm in seminyak vs bci money changer nearby.
For taking out 1,500,000 IDR via a cba atm
Got slugged a $2 fee + exchange rate @9819.04
So it cost me $2 + $152.77aud to withdraw 1.5M idr.BCI money changer (honest, reliable & licensed)
Exchange rate on that day was 10,500idr for 1aud
It wouldve only cost $142.85aud for 1.5M idr. But ive ran out of aussie dollars so had to use the atm.So you can see an approx $12aud the bank got from me with that transaction. (My mate also withdrew from the cba atm but using his nab card. He was charged $2 + international transaction fee of $13 for getting $200aud worth of IDR.
Just be careful with the many local money changers, they have many tricks to slip out and steal money from u after they count it in front of u. Keep an eye and dont be distracted. And always recount it in front of them after they hand u the cash. If there is a BCI money changer use them.
Use a bank rather than any random machine,
It’s worth mentioning in Bali the money comes out before your card. It’s easy to walk away with cash and leave card in machine.Thanks for all the replies appreciate it!
Best way is the free Citibank plus as already mentioned, but there is a lot of card skimming at atms in Bali, so best to have your funds in the free linked online savings account, and only transfer the money you need to the plus account when you need it (transfer is instant). That way if you card does get skimmed, nothing to lose.
If you are withdrawing money with a normal bank card which charges atm fee and international transaction fees - you want to be able to get as much out in a single transaction. There are 2 types of atms in bali - ones that dispense 50,000rp notes, and ones that dispense 100,000rp notes. They are clearly labelled on the atm. The ones what dispense 50's will usually only allow a maximum withdrawal of 1 - 1.5million per transaction (~$104 - $156AUD). The ones that dispense 100's will usually allow max withdrawal of 2million (~$208AUD).
There is one atm I know of at the Citibank branch in Denpasar which allows max withdrawal of 3 mill rp per transaction (~$312AUD)
All ATMs in Bali are fine, they do not charge fees.
Avoid ANZ (and maybe CBA) - they charge fees even if you are a customer here.I used the ATMs in their 24x7 convenience stores and never had a problem. Maximum withdrawl was 250,000rp from memory.
What are the ATM fees for a A debit card? Citibank closed their domestic airport location according to google reviews so no fee free atm withdrawal there
ING is free.
Have you seen the whole volcano erupting thing that's going on at the moment in Bali? People are leaving…..