Indonesian Rupiah Currency

[seaeagle]

Anyone know where to buy some Indonesian currency on Phuket, please?

Have tried all the banks in Chalong, and all say 'no have'. Surprisingly, they seem to say that it is not a currency they stock at the branches, and none of their branches can help me.

Tried the booth at the airport last night, and same story.

So, any TV-ers aware of places in Phuket Town or maybe Patong that sells it?

[angiud]

Why do you need to buy in Advance IDR?

IF you find, the rate will be ugly, both to buy or to sell.

[QED]

I believe it is illegal to remove the currency from Indonesia, hence you would not be able to buy it in advance from banks / currency traders.

When you get there DO NOT be tempted to buy currency at the airport. I was there last week and all the airport booths were offering 200 / baht, 10 minutes down the road in Kuta I got 290 in a small shop - 45% difference!!

As I was heading out to a remote island I changed quite alot, and saved approximately the cost of my flight from BKK in the difference between rates.

[steelepulse]

Hmm, that's strange as I've been to Jakarta on a couple of occassions in the past 2 years and the rates at the airport were pretty close to the published rate on CNBC, WSJ etc.

[maccaroni man]

Why do you need to buy in Advance IDR?

IF you find, the rate will be ugly, both to buy or to sell.

agreed, much of the private and govt. business is done in US dollars so really no need for advance purchase of ruphia, one of the few place where 1 dollars still buys a cup of coffee

[LivinLOS]

Hmm, that's strange as I've been to Jakarta on a couple of occassions in the past 2 years and the rates at the airport were pretty close to the published rate on CNBC, WSJ etc.

The poster is talking about Balis airport and I can confirm the rates there are truly horrible compared to in town.

Also even in Kuta if its baht the rates can really vary so it pays to have a good long look around if your taking entire vacation money in baht, USD or AUD the rates seem very close around but baht not same.

Also as with anywhere in indo if its not a place you have used a lot (even then) double check everything.. They are masters at double counting notes and sometimes double fold a note to count it twice, as you end up with bricks of indo currency its a hassle but you need to be much more alert there.

[blackkopee]

withdraw from your ATM at Indonesia Airport when you arrive there , another choice. of coz you there to pay for the fee.

[MisterMan]

IMPOSSIBLE to sell too , like Ring from ML.

Get rid of all of them in INDO.

Lots of shady money changers on the street though!

[khunjake]

Do not count on buying any Rupiah in Phuket. You can try SuperRich in BKK though. As previous posters have said, your best best to get a decent exchange rate is to pull cash from an ATM while in Jakarta or Bali. The bets rates to change IDR back into is USD. If you try to change back in THB, the rates will be terrible.