Money Changers at Airport

[CFC]

What's the exchange rate like at the money changers at Phuket airport compared to the banks. Arriving late and need to change some money up but don't want to be ripped off.

[Guest]

Almost everything is a bit more expensive at the airport so I would not be surprised if the exchange rate would be worse.

Check what is the difference between changing from your currency to Baht and the other way around. That should give you a idea.

I would change just enough money for day or two at the airport and then the rest later on when I can compare the rates.. or just use ATM.

[LivinginKata]

Might help if we knew what currency you are bringing in. SCB offering 49.30625 for GBP, 29.34 for AUD, and 30.72 for US$

[CFC]

Taking GBP. Need to change up about 30,000 Bhat.

[NamKangMan]

I agree with oilinki. As you are arriving late, just change enough for your taxi, and a little more.

The next day, you can ask around for the best rate and exchange the bulk of your currency then.

Edited October 22, 2013 by NamKangMan

[CFC]

I know the best thing to do is to change the least amount possible at the airport. Problem is I need 30,000 Bhat when I arrive. Was hoping that someone would be a bit more specific in percentage terms how much less you would get at the airport especially when arriving late.

[LivinginKata]

I think you biggest problem will be if the money changers are even open after 21.00. As far as the exchange rate at the airport banks/money change booth, I've never really noticed any difference from the rates at the same local bank.

[NamKangMan]

I think you biggest problem will be if the money changers are even open after 21.00. As far as the exchange rate at the airport banks/money change booth, I've never really noticed any difference from the rates at the same local bank.

Good point LIK. They may be closed. The OP may have to exchange his money at the airport in his home country.

As it's GBP, I'm assuming London - Heathrow, or similar.

[glassdude007]

The exchange booths at the airport are not a rip off and the rates there should not really matter unless you exchanging LARGE amounts of cash.

If so i don't think the airport would be the best place to do this with the eyes and ears of customs and immigration all around.

For me though I have noticed with small amouts of cash I get a better rate for my USD 20 dollar notes at the airport than I do around Chalong/Rawai banks and exchange booths. 100 Dollar notes are steady around 30 to 31 bht everywhere.

[hansgruber]

Don't stress about a few hundred baht.

Just change it and don't think twice about rates.

People worry about the strangest things

[grumpyoldman]

I think you biggest problem will be if the money changers are even open after 21.00. As far as the exchange rate at the airport banks/money change booth, I've never really noticed any difference from the rates at the same local bank.

Good point LIK. They may be closed. The OP may have to exchange his money at the airport in his home country.

As it's GBP, I'm assuming London - Heathrow, or similar.

+3 I know for a fact that they are not open at 12:30AM as I looked around, then ended up using my ATM.

Best get small money where you are and as other posters have recommended do bigger monies the next day.

BTW-I have found Bangkok Bank generally has the best rates.

[IrishIvan]

Whats wrong with a credit card and an ATM?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ben44]

If you want to change a large amount such as 30,000 baht, i'd look into possibly buying it online. But maybe you're too late to do this.

If not, someone told me they got their currency here http://icicibank.co.uk/personal/thai_baht.html and had good rates for thai baht. Otherwise, if you need to get it once you arrive, i would definitely not recommend exchanging such a large amount at the airport and only getting enough for that day/night as others have suggested

[NamKangMan]

Whats wrong with a credit card and an ATM?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

150 baht just to use the ATM with a foreign card and then 2% or 3% of the amount you withdraw, plus a lousy exchange rate.

[stevenl]

Whats wrong with a credit card and an ATM?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

150 baht just to use the ATM with a foreign card and then 2% or 3% of the amount you withdraw, plus a lousy exchange rate.

No, exchange rate is better than cash exchange (bank exchange is the rate in between selling and buying), but the bank expenses (not yet including the 150 baht) normally result in a net amount just a bit less than a cash exchange.

My bank charges 1%, but I'm sure there are banks charging 2-3%.

Edited November 5, 2013 by stevenl

[NamKangMan]

Whats wrong with a credit card and an ATM?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

150 baht just to use the ATM with a foreign card and then 2% or 3% of the amount you withdraw, plus a lousy exchange rate.

No, exchange rate is better than cash exchange the rate in between selling and buying), but the bank expenses (not yet including the 150 baht) normally result in a net amount just a bit less than a cash exchange.

I disagree. I always check my bank's exchange rate before electronically moving money into my Thai bank account.

It's always a lower rate than the cash rate.

Edited November 5, 2013 by NamKangMan

[nedkellylives]

30,000 baht is approx $1000 or 600 GBP not really a large amount of money compared to what some people claim to spend here

[CFC]

30,000 baht is approx $1000 or 600 GBP not really a large amount of money compared to what some people claim to spend here

I would stop worrying about the 30,000 Bhat because I know I have. Its been changed up and spent. End of Story.

[LivinginKata]

OP declares the topic is complete....

//CLOSED//