Yangon Airport - Money Exchange Question

[JeffreyO]

Hello,

My wife and I are traveling to Yangon for a weekend visit on Saturday. We have struggled finding a decent rate for THB to Kyat and even finding money changers here in Bangkok who offer Kyat is far and few between. I have USD available so I was thinking of exchanging at the Yangon airport but we don't land until the evening, around 7:30pm. Can anyone confirm that money changers there will be open at that time? I've attempted to search online but I couldn't find any definitive information.

While I'm asking... does anyone know what the rate is for a taxi from the airport to Chinatown is in Yangon? I'd rather not get ripped off.

[JeffreyO]

Well, since no one replied but many viewed, I'll assume no one knew. Just in case this comes up on a search...

After you leave immigration there area great number of Exchange counters. Be sure to check the rates as they vary but the vast majority had exceptionally good rates between USD & Myanmar Kyat.

I strongly recommend if you have THB in hand that you change it to USD in Thailand and then change the USD to Kyat in Myanmar. This will be significantly cheaper than changing THB to Kyat either here or in Myanmar.
Other things to note, the larger the bill (monetary note) the better the rate. For example, you'll get a slightly better rate for a $100 bill vs. a $50 bill. Also, bring bills in prestine condition. They may reduce the value of your currency based on its condition. No major folds or creases or tears. I'm not sure why but that's important to them.

Other than that, they're open late enough, at least past regular banking hours. Taxi's from the airport are (at the time of this posting) 8,000 kyat to Chinatown/Downtown.

Good luck all with your future travels.