Cheapest place for physical currency? Sydney

Hi tightarses where around Sydney is the go to for physical currency these days? I'm sad to see Vina is permanently closed after being fined $1m so I've lost my usual

Comments

  • -7

    Who uses physical cash nowadays considering in digital world and the availability of cash over ATMs and also for a few Crypto currency?

    • +11

      for holiday

      yeh im gonna try to pay some balinese dude on the street some eth

  • +2

    Take large denomination bills and change in Bali with a money changer

    • +1

      Be very careful. Street money changers in Bali are often cheats. And very good at slight of hand, making money disappear, even if you're watching for it. I never use them anymore. Just get cash from ATM.

  • +1

    Indonesia's money changers and banks tend to have good price, better than what you'll get here.

    • wow really

      even at the airport? or should i wait to go to the resort?

      • +2

        yea from my experience (obviously once you roam around the area, the rates will even be better). But count your money on the spot when you exchange with smaller exchange shops.

        The rates here in Australia are abysmal.

        • kewl thanks

      • +1

        Not at the airport, just change a little to cover taxi fees etc. Change money in the city area, and as others have said, count it there and then at the exchange

        • Yep exactly. Usually cheaper to change overseas.

      • +2

        Change some in Australia to cover 1 days expense. Then change the rest at the town's shopping mall or a front street facing large money changer (not those dingy side street ones).

  • Is it better to exchange AUD or US Dollars in Bali?

  • +1

    If you have $50 or $100 USD bills then they are the best choice.
    You will get a great rate because there is a good demand in the black market to pay corrupt individuals

  • Thanks - So the USD Dollar is still the ducks nuts.

    • +1

      Thats the currency of choice for the "officials"

  • Lotus at westfields Parramatta had a really good exchange rate for thai baht when i exchanged about 2 months ago. Was better than anywhere we could find in both Australia and also when we were in Thailand.

  • Due to Australia's high costs the money exchangers here need to make a large margin. Somewhere like Bali with cheaper costs, there is no need to make as larger margin.

    So if you're travelling to a cheap country, change your cash there.

    • +4

      Sure Australia has high costs but 30% margin at Sydney Airport (vs Sydney CBD money changers) is just extortion.

  • There a Lotus currency exchange at Darling Harbour shopping centre that has given me the best rates so far

  • -1

    Try an ATM or eftpos cashout at woolworths/bigw

  • +1

    I source a minimal amount of cash from Travelex and then use foreign ATMs with a fee free card, with a basically wholesale exchange rate.

    The only big caveat to that is some countries have ATMs that often reject foreign cards. I had all sorts of 'fun' trying to get Won in South Korea.

  • +1

    Use an ATM when you get there.

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