Should I change money before going to Thailand?

Question

I'm leaving for Thailand for holiday. Could you tell me whether i should change money before or after I arrive in Thailand? Which way is better?

Answer 1

I don't think you will have any problem exchange your money in Thailand, especially in the airport.

I still believe that the exchange fee in Thailand is cheaper than many country in Europe. And at the airport, the stuffs can speak good English.

Beyond that, now Thailand try to weakening the Baht currency against US dollar so I think you should wait for your own advantage.

Hope you enjoy your time in Thailand, Merry Christmas!!

Answer 2

There is absolutely no need to change money before you arrive here in Thailand. Bring $ , Euro or Sterling travellers cheques.
Unlike other countries you get excellent exchange rates at the airport, so you will be able to change some as soon as you step off of the plane.
Be warned though, most of the hotels that offer an exchange service will give you much lower rates than the banks. They will give you similar to the appalling tourist rate. Always change you money at a bank or exchange booth.
If you are from the UK and have a Nationwide debit card, you can use the ATM (cashpoint) machines and you will not be charged for the transaction. It amuses me that if I withdraw cash from my Thai bank account at another branch, I am charged 20 Baht each time. If I use my Nationwide card it's free. With the Nationwide card you will get the best exchange rates as well. One time I needed more money than I could withdraw in one day so I used my Nationwide and Lloydstsb one after the other. There was 4 percent difference!! That can mount up over time.
If withdrawing from an ATM, take sensible precautions. i.e.don't withdraw large sums at 3am on a fairly deserted street. I have never had any problems, but be sensible. I have seen drunken foreigners do this and stagger off down the road holding fistfulls of cash. It could be too tempting for a poor Thai person.
I know that you will enjoy your fist trip to Thailand and I'm sure that it will not be your last.
Happy holiday

I believe that the usual tourist exchange rate in the UK at the moment is about 64 Baht to the pound. Using the Nationwide card or travellers cheques in Thailand the rate is 70. 10 percent difference!!

Answer 3

change some now you will need some spending money for when you first get there. depending on where in thailand you go it may not be so easy to find a bank/money changer so easily. you dont need to change very much, maybe about fifty quid here.you did not mention whether you were going on your own or it is through a tour operator - if the former then you will definitely need money for taxi fare to hotel, and dont forget money for mineral water, mints, etc the usual stuff you buy when travelling.
you should get a better rate over the thailand, but honestly, the pound is so strong right now, and things in thailand are pretty cheap in comparison and so you really dont have to worry about getting a good exchange rate.

Answer 4

change your money in Thailand you'll always get far better rate. There are always a few money exchange at the airport when you arrive. quite a few just before exit door out of air port, I'll only change enough to cover me for a few day and check the rate later when I need to change more. A Tips though, don't change your money at the hotel. You almost always get a very poor rate compare to the banks.

Answer 5

shop around for the best local exchange rate before you leave for holiday. you are more likely to get a better exchange rate at a banking institution than at the airport of your departure to Thailand. you can even exchange Thai currency over the internet; see Source(s) below for example. it is possible to get a good exchange rate over the internet due to their low expenses, but verify this by shopping yourself first. basically, shop multiple sources to exchange currency to get a good deal. exchange some of your money at that best rate, depending on how much you will need immediately upon your arrival in Thailand. after you arrive Thailand, again shop for best exchange rate and exchange an amount that will keep you in Thailand currency until you can exchange more later. try not to carry more currency than necessary at any time due to the possibility of thieves. don't forget to carry means of getting Thailand currency like credit card or travelers checks. but a cash advance on your credit card can cost a lot, so i recommend travelers checks for most of the exhanging to Thailand currency that you plan. reserve credit card cash advances for emergency such as running out of travelers checks.

Answer 6

It is better to change money once you get in Thailand. There are currency exchange booths right at the airport. You can exchange a small amount to take care of one or two night's hotel stay, food, and taxi. Once you are at the Hotel, you can ask the front-desk staff for the nearest money changer. There are a lot of money changers near hotels, and they can give you good currency rates.

Answer 7

Don't bother.

The cost to buy THB at your local bank is most like prohibitive. There are ATMs everywhere in Thailand you are likely to go, including the airport arrival hall.

Use an ATM card with no fees. Wells Fargo charges $5 per ATM transaction. Compass Bank, $0.

Don't forget to keep 500B for the airport tax on your departure.

Enjoy.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Great move doing Thailand - I've always wanted to visit but didn't manage to get out of Malaysia for having such a good time:))
So, although I have no actual experience of Thailand, I have been across the border in Malaysia three times so far. And assuming things are similar, what I'd do is change £50 into baht for spending on arrival, and take (nice 'n' safe) travellers cheques for 90% of the rest of your money + pounds sterling in cash for the remaining 10% to bale you out in case of emergency and to spend once you get back home.

When you check into a hotel ask them for a safety deposit box (which will be free/part of the tariff) and place your passport. travellers cheques, £cash and all other valuables that'll fit in the box.

If you stay at a 'budget' hotel there'll likely be no safety deposit box available - and your things are at a much higher risk. But by far the riskiest thing to do is constantly carry all your cash and valuables about on your person each day - specially if you like a good drink:))
Petty thieves and muggers (which is fairly rare) will steal all your cash, cards and cheques but leave you with either a small amount of cash or one credit card (they're very sociable that way).

If you have any credit cards (CC), take them to Thailand too, but use them very sparingly to obtain cash ('cos it's expensive). Best to use a CC (and take very little cash) when you go shopping for lots of things or expensive things, and when you're going to a pub or club for the night, 'cos what lots of places do (such the Hard Rock Cafe, etc.) is take your CC and put it safely at the checkout. You then sign for each purchase which is tallied up at the end of the night/session and then charged once to your CC (as opposed to paying each and every round of drinks). This practice is well established, normal and safe. It's also cheaper for you too 'cos charging things to your CC only once attracts only one transaction and currency exchange charge, whereas paying by CC after each round attracts these charges each time (which is stupidly expensive and unnecessary).

Finally, don't bother taking a money-belt. If you're gonna get mugged (which NEVER happened to me in 6 or 7 months of travelling Malaysia North to South, Singapore and Sabah on Borneo), they'll go for that first. Best to just give them what you've got, 'cos they'll get it anyway. But this is HIGHLY UNLIKELY to occur.

Get a good travel insurance policy too.

Stay safe and enjoy - you'll have a great time.

Answer 10

Dont worry about it. You will have plenty of opportunity to change money when you get there. There are exchanges EVERYWHERE in Thailand, you will probably get a better rate there anyway.