The question we get asked more than any other is
How do I manage my money whilst in Asia?
The following information should answer questions about this sometimes confusing topic.
Despite the perceived complexities of changing and handling money in Asia, the solution is actually relatively straight-forward and there is very little you need to do different to any other holiday. In fact, there is often no need to make any arrangements in advance of your departure.
At the other end of your holiday, be sure to change any local currency back into UK£ or US$ before departing the country as with the likes of Laos kip, Cambodian riel and Myanmar kyat, you cannot change it outside of the country. Not all airports have exchange counters therefore it is best to do this at your final hotel.
If you’ve only got a small amount of currency left, consider donating it at a collection point in your hotel or on your flight, the benefit will certainly be far greater than it being left to sit at the back of a drawer at home.
ATMs (automatic teller machines) are available in varying quantities throughout Asia, a density that is constantly increasing. They accept most international cards (Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro, etc). Your local bank’s withdrawal card may not be accepted however, and it is advisable to check before your departure if you are if you are at all unsure.
In our experience withdrawing money in this way offers the same if not better exchange rates than through a traditional money exchange outlet, and is the most convenient way to access your money abroad. Try to keep the number of withdrawals to a minimum as there is usually a fixed charge (e.g £2) applied to each transaction applied by your bank (see avoiding bank charges below)
If your own bank changes for international withdrawals or purchases abroad, we highly recommend that you get a bank card that allows free international withdrawals and spend (i.e in a restaurant or hotel).
The likes of Monzo, Wise, Revolut and many other banks/card providers not only give you a good allowance of free international banking (withdrawal and purchases), they also make the entire process very seamless. Different cards have different allowances so do take the time to choose the right card for you.
Carrying a quantity of Sterling or US$ cash does no harm at all, and in most locations throughout Asia you will be able to exchange a Sterling or US$ note for the local currency. Particularly useful when you come to the last day of your holiday (or are crossing a border) and do not want to withdraw a large sum from an ATM; just £10 exchanged at your hotel reception may be enough to see you through.
There is no need to obtain Ringgit in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. ATM machines are available in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan (and also at some airports). ATM machines usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. The symbol used for Ringgit in many shops and restaurants is $. In most shops and restaurants accept Ringgit cash and card payments are accepted.
You cannot obtain Ngultrum (NU) outside of Bhutan. US Dollars and Indian Rupee are the most popular foreign currency for exchange purposes and may also be accepted by some merchants.
There are very few ATM’s in Bhutan and those that there are tend to be unreliable (in our experience) so we advise against planning around these.
Card payment facilities are available at hotels and many tourist stores. You can withdraw cash at banks and there is also a Bank of Bhutan counter at the airport which facilities cash withdrawal and foreign currency exchange.
Towards the end of your trip do not withdraw large amounts of NU as you will need to change it back before you leave the country and it will inevitably be at a poor exchange rate.
Incidentally, the NU is pegged to the Indian Rupee and, as such, the rupee is widely accepted throughout Bhutan
You cannot obtain Indian Rupees outside of India. You can change money on arrival at the airport, in larger hotels and major banks. Banks and ATM’s are widely available in all cities, towns and tourist areas.
India is still very much a cash society, so we would recommend always carrying some cash with you, especially lower denominations. And if you are travelling into more rural areas, cash is King! One tip: don’t accept damaged bank notes as you’ll have issues trying to pass them on.
Credit cards are not widely accepted. You will be able to pay with plastic only in major hotels, high-end restaurants and some shops. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Towards the end of your trip do not withdraw large amounts of cash as you will need to change it back before you leave the country and it will inevitably be at a poor exchange rate.
You cannot obtain Kip outside of Laos, however both US$ and Kip are widely accepted. It is essential to arrive with some US$ in order to obtain your entry visa upon arrival, when you must pay in US$ cash. Bank notes need to be in good condition. It can also be beneficial to have some on arrival for immediate use until you locate an ATM. ATM machines are available in Luang Prabang, Pakse and Vientiane and usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. ATMs only dispense Kip.
It's easy to change cash and access ATM’s in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other tourist hubs, but almost impossible in rural areas or on multi-day treks. So, bear this in mind if you’re travelling deeper into the countryside for a few days.
It’s the same principle with credit cards, which are widely accepted in Kathmandu and the main tourist centres, however if you’re travelling to more remote parts of the country you will need to carry Nepalese Rupee cash.
If you are using the visa on arrival service (we suggest arranging it online in advance), it is advisable to arrive with some cash in US Dollars, Euros, or Pound Sterling to obtain your visa.
Credit card usage is very high in South Korea and international credit cards are widely accepted in Seoul and other major cities, although small shops and restaurants may only accept cash.
The monetary unit of South Korea is the Won. GB pounds, US Dollars and Euros cash are easily changed at banks and money changers. ATMs with a ‘Global’ sign work with internationally issued cards and are readily available in towns and cities. If you are travelling into more rural areas we would suggest having plenty of local currency.
The monetary unit of Tibet is the Renminbi (the same as mainland China). In Tibet, it’s only possible to change cash (US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling) at The Bank of China, or in a handful of top-end hotels in Lhasa.
ATM’s are available in Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, Baiyi, Lhatse, Zhangmu & Saga, although in the small cities they can be unreliable, so bear this in mind if you’re travelling into more remote regions. Credit cards are only accepted in Lhasa at top end hotels and a few larger tourist shops.
Essentially if you are travelling throughout Tibet, then we recommending obtaining Renminbi cash in Lhasa for the duration of your journey.
ATM machines are widely available throughout Thailand, including most airports, ensuring there is no need to obtain Baht in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. ATM’s usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. In most shops and restaurants only baht cash and card payments are accepted.
You cannot obtain Riel outside of Cambodia, however both US$ and Riel are widely accepted. It is essential to arrive with some US$ if you are obtaining your entry visa upon arrival, when you must pay in US$ cash. It can also be beneficial to have some on arrival for immediate use until you locate an ATM. ATM machines are available in Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh and usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. ATMs only dispense US$ cash. When purchasing items using US$ it is quite normal to be given your change in Riel.
ATM machines are widely available throughout Indonesia, including most airports, ensuring there is no need to obtain Rupiah in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. It is essential to arrive with some US $ to obtain your visa upon arrival (currently $25), which must be paid in US$ cash. ATM’s usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than you will find in many currency exchange bureaus or hotels. In most shops and restaurants only Rupiah cash and card payments are accepted.
Japan is surprisingly a cash society and many shops and restaurants do not accept debit and credit cards. Therefore you will need to carry Japanese Yen in cash whilst in Japan. It is possible to obtain Yen in advance of your arrival but ATM machines are widely available throughout the country. It is also possible to exchange US dollars, GB pounds and Euros cash on arrival at the airport.
There is no need to obtain Ringgit in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. ATM machines are widely available throughout Malaysia (as well as at most airports). ATM machines usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. The symbol used for Ringgit in many shops and restaurants is $. In most shops and restaurants only Ringgit cash and credit card payments are accepted.
You won’t have a problem finding an ATM in the major cities of the Philippines however it is advisable to have plenty of local currency (Philippine Peso) in cash if travelling to the more rural regions and the smaller islands, where there is sometimes not even a bank.
Money changers will accept GB pounds, US Dollars and Euros cash: money changers in the city offer better rates than those at the airport and in hotels and you will get a better rate for larger bills (so 1 x $100 bill is better than 5 x $20 bills.)
Most merchants will not accept travellers cheques. Credit cards are widely accepted, but small restaurants and shops, especially in small towns on the islands will only take cash.
You cannot obtain Rupee outside of Sri Lanka. You will find ATM machines throughout Sri Lanka and credit cards arte accepted in most restaurants, bigger shops and hotels. There are a number of ATM’s in the arrivals area at Colombo Airport, where there are also a number of money changers offering fair rates of exchange on most major currencies. Hotels will also often also accept payment in £, $ and Euro.
The monetary unit of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar, which cannot be obtained outside of Asia. You can change money on arrival at the airport, but will undoubtedly get a better rate of exchange at one of the banks in Taipei. Some hotels offer currency exchange services, but the rate will typically be poor. There are very few private money changers in Taiwan.
ATM’s can be found throughout the country, (apart from the more remote regions) in most banks, convenient stores, department stores and post offices. Not all ATM’s accept foreign cards so you will need to look for those displaying the logos of international networks such as Visa and Cirrus.
Towards the end of your trip do not withdraw large amounts of Taiwan Dollar as you will need to change it back before you leave the country and it will inevitably be at a poor exchange rate.
Until recently you could not obtain the Dong outside of Vietnam; however several foreign exchange outlets in the UK have now begun to stock it. In reality this has had little impact on our advice for visitors as ATM machines, dispensing Dong, are widely available across Vietnam and at all major airports. It is essential to arrive with some US$ if you are obtaining your pre-arranged visa-on-arrival entry stamp, when you must have US$ cash. ATM machines usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. Whilst you can use US$ at times in Vietnam, Dong is the primary currency.
Traveller cheques are no longer accepted in Vietnam.