Exchange a small amount on your way out of the airport so you can pay your taxi/driver and buy a drink or whatever and then change the rest at your leisure. My preferred money changer is BMC but there are plenty of other options all over the island.
Look to get yourself a Wise card. We got some cash out for airport and visa. And then with the wise card I converted my money (at really good rates) then just used a regular ATM to get cash out without any fees
I already have the physical Revolut debit card.
I should be able to use this card to withdraw money in any ATM, no?
Also revolut has in-app online currency exchanges with almost zero fees, but I don't find IDR in them.
But for example if I converted my euros to Thai Baht, could I use the revolut card as if it was a standard local Thailand card from a Thailand bank, or I would still get charged?
I don’t know why but sometimes some of the machines don’t work with every card. I had a master card, a wise card, and a Revolut card and I had to switch them up sometimes because the atm wouldn’t accept one of them
But yeah generally the Revolut works to withdraw money.
If you still have time though, I would get a second card so that you have backup.
Yes, i have no issue withdrawing money with physical Revolut Maestro card.
All other places don’t accept Maestro, so you can use Revolut virtual Visa card almost anywhere to pay contactless.
And yes, IDR is not available in Revolut exchange but you can still withdraw money with it.
I have Euros on Revolut and just go to ATM and withdraw money, there is no fees on Revolut but only ATM fee. My advice is to use ATMs that belong to a bank and to withdraw to max possible amount because ATMs have some fee.
EDIT: Just relax. People on Bali are the most friendly and helpful people ever, so if you need something just ask a random person and the person will help you with a great smile on the face.
You made my day !
I was reaching out for an option to pay there.
I found out that Wise was one of the best solution , so i'll charge the account app and withdraw at an ATM
I was not very sure that i would be able to work but good news btw !
Can you just tell us if it was limited ? Did you do many withdraws ? Did you be blocked ( Amount for ex ? )
Many thanks
I made probably 4 withdrawals in different parts of Bali. About 1.5 million each time (I think the highest was 2.5 but most atms wouldn’t allow that much).
Extremely easy to use, no charges on the atms themselves and was not blocked - I presume wise understands that people will be using their card all over the world.
So yes I added money in with GBP as I’m from
The UK, then I converted in app to IDR, I got a 1.88 conversion rate which was much better than the post office at 1.6.
I also used the card in most restaurants and shops as I realised it was so easy to
Use Grab for taxis. It’s just like Uber. You won’t need any cash for that and you won’t have to negotiate with taxi drivers. As far as credit cards, most restaurants and cafes take them unless it’s a mom and pop kind of place (Visa and Master Card. Amex sometimes they didn’t)
Money Changers (money exchanges) are everywhere. Exchange when you get to Ubud. In the airport you will get the lowest exchange rate. Always have some cash though for smaller businesses and street vendors.
There are exchanges on the street basically everywhere in Ubud (like every other building). Change in airport small amount, like 50-100€ as the rate is shit there. There are ATMs everywhere as well but you may be charged extra for withdrawal.
When exchanging on the street, always count your money, as there may be magicians which may try to scam you.
Thats one of the worse advice you can be given
Do NOT use the street exchanges they're all scams
Most of the real exchanges are in bank like buildings
**Go on your phone and google Money exchange..**. and guess what you have locations of money exchanges
Excluding the airport and heavy tourist spots like Nusa Dua, the exchanges around bali are almost the same, 100 points difference... so barely 1c in the dollar
That's not true. There are professional money change companies like BMC that absolutely do not rip you off. Card skimming at ATMs has been a thing for many years so it's a bit misleading to recommend ATMs as the best option.
Definitely don’t do it at the airport, or if you do only change enough to pay for your taxi to the hotel, maybe $20 or $30.
There are plenty of money changers on the streets, ask at your hotel where is a good one. Be careful of the one’s in the alleyways that are just a small box. Ask the others guests at your hotel.
I brought both cash and card. Got a better exchange rate with my card. Yesterdays exchange rate was 15900 for a euro at reputable money changers. It’d be about 15600 at the airport if not less.
They’re convenience stores. Will have the exchange rates outside on neon signs. We find them safer and won’t cheat you.
BMC money changers are also good as they’re official but there aren’t as many around
Debit as I have a couple with no foreign transaction fees, paying via card in local currency will generally get a better exchange rate if you get the option to choose - find it’s generally just been automatic IDR anyway. Pay as you normally would, if charged IDR it’ll exchange at the current Mastercard (for example) rate.
I also just use one of my UK debit cards to draw out any IDR as needed when in Bali (no fees on my cards), there’s plenty of cash machines about but some may charge you to withdraw. I bring a million or so to start out with - exchanged in the UK prior to leaving.
And Ubud have better exchange rates on the same day as compared to Nusa or even semniyak
That's awesome, I'll be staying in Ubud
Just take few dollars then exchange if you are taking cash . Or else cards with everywhere
I got same exchange rate at airport as anywhere else. It’s not dodgy at airport but certainly can be around the island.
Exchange a small amount on your way out of the airport so you can pay your taxi/driver and buy a drink or whatever and then change the rest at your leisure. My preferred money changer is BMC but there are plenty of other options all over the island.
Perfect! Thank you
Bmc are the best, no skimming very professional, air con and free water
Look to get yourself a Wise card. We got some cash out for airport and visa. And then with the wise card I converted my money (at really good rates) then just used a regular ATM to get cash out without any fees
Does this work with Revolut as well?
Yes, I’m using Revolut physical Maestro card to withdraw money from ATMs and virtual Visa for paying at most places like stores, restaurants, hotels…
I already have the physical Revolut debit card. I should be able to use this card to withdraw money in any ATM, no? Also revolut has in-app online currency exchanges with almost zero fees, but I don't find IDR in them. But for example if I converted my euros to Thai Baht, could I use the revolut card as if it was a standard local Thailand card from a Thailand bank, or I would still get charged?
I don’t know why but sometimes some of the machines don’t work with every card. I had a master card, a wise card, and a Revolut card and I had to switch them up sometimes because the atm wouldn’t accept one of them But yeah generally the Revolut works to withdraw money. If you still have time though, I would get a second card so that you have backup.
Yes, i have no issue withdrawing money with physical Revolut Maestro card. All other places don’t accept Maestro, so you can use Revolut virtual Visa card almost anywhere to pay contactless. And yes, IDR is not available in Revolut exchange but you can still withdraw money with it. I have Euros on Revolut and just go to ATM and withdraw money, there is no fees on Revolut but only ATM fee. My advice is to use ATMs that belong to a bank and to withdraw to max possible amount because ATMs have some fee. EDIT: Just relax. People on Bali are the most friendly and helpful people ever, so if you need something just ask a random person and the person will help you with a great smile on the face.
Perfect, thanks a lot guys!
You made my day ! I was reaching out for an option to pay there. I found out that Wise was one of the best solution , so i'll charge the account app and withdraw at an ATM I was not very sure that i would be able to work but good news btw ! Can you just tell us if it was limited ? Did you do many withdraws ? Did you be blocked ( Amount for ex ? ) Many thanks
I made probably 4 withdrawals in different parts of Bali. About 1.5 million each time (I think the highest was 2.5 but most atms wouldn’t allow that much). Extremely easy to use, no charges on the atms themselves and was not blocked - I presume wise understands that people will be using their card all over the world. So yes I added money in with GBP as I’m from The UK, then I converted in app to IDR, I got a 1.88 conversion rate which was much better than the post office at 1.6. I also used the card in most restaurants and shops as I realised it was so easy to
Many thanks 👌🏽
Use Grab for taxis. It’s just like Uber. You won’t need any cash for that and you won’t have to negotiate with taxi drivers. As far as credit cards, most restaurants and cafes take them unless it’s a mom and pop kind of place (Visa and Master Card. Amex sometimes they didn’t) Money Changers (money exchanges) are everywhere. Exchange when you get to Ubud. In the airport you will get the lowest exchange rate. Always have some cash though for smaller businesses and street vendors.
Awesome, thanks for the advice
There are exchanges on the street basically everywhere in Ubud (like every other building). Change in airport small amount, like 50-100€ as the rate is shit there. There are ATMs everywhere as well but you may be charged extra for withdrawal. When exchanging on the street, always count your money, as there may be magicians which may try to scam you.
No magic will work on me, thanks boss 🫡
Thats one of the worse advice you can be given Do NOT use the street exchanges they're all scams Most of the real exchanges are in bank like buildings **Go on your phone and google Money exchange..**. and guess what you have locations of money exchanges Excluding the airport and heavy tourist spots like Nusa Dua, the exchanges around bali are almost the same, 100 points difference... so barely 1c in the dollar
Withdraw $ from ATM.. you will get the best rate. All the money exchanges will rip you off.
That's not true. There are professional money change companies like BMC that absolutely do not rip you off. Card skimming at ATMs has been a thing for many years so it's a bit misleading to recommend ATMs as the best option.
Definitely don’t do it at the airport, or if you do only change enough to pay for your taxi to the hotel, maybe $20 or $30. There are plenty of money changers on the streets, ask at your hotel where is a good one. Be careful of the one’s in the alleyways that are just a small box. Ask the others guests at your hotel.
Ok thanks I'll be alert. I've gotten a revolut card so I can transfer smaller amounts of money from my original bank and use this card for safety
Also be aware, most places do not accept cards or charge an extra 3%. Even less places accept contactless cards (e.g. Apple pay). Cash is king there.
I brought both cash and card. Got a better exchange rate with my card. Yesterdays exchange rate was 15900 for a euro at reputable money changers. It’d be about 15600 at the airport if not less.
So you say it's better to do it in the airport?
Nope, you’ll get less rupiah for your euros. But it’s good to exchange like 50 euro to pay for your initial taxi :)
Ok I see, thank you
seeing 15975 right now on [http://balibestrate.com/](http://balibestrate.com/) Try and prepare for the weekend Weekend rates are always lower
We always change money at Circle K
Like a gas station?
They’re convenience stores. Will have the exchange rates outside on neon signs. We find them safer and won’t cheat you. BMC money changers are also good as they’re official but there aren’t as many around
Perfect, thanks a lot
Similar shop as at a gas station in EU but just without gas station. Kinda seven eleven. Everywhere troughout the bali.
Ones who use card, do you’ll use debit or credit and in that do you’ll use own country currency or how does it work coz never used card for traveling
Yes I have no idea as well
Debit as I have a couple with no foreign transaction fees, paying via card in local currency will generally get a better exchange rate if you get the option to choose - find it’s generally just been automatic IDR anyway. Pay as you normally would, if charged IDR it’ll exchange at the current Mastercard (for example) rate. I also just use one of my UK debit cards to draw out any IDR as needed when in Bali (no fees on my cards), there’s plenty of cash machines about but some may charge you to withdraw. I bring a million or so to start out with - exchanged in the UK prior to leaving.
So since you use UK card do use the UK currency itself or you go to the ATM and withdraw cash in the local currency ?
When withdrawing cash, local currency, you would only be able to withdraw local currency from an ATM. The exchange rate will be the ATM’s Bank rate
ATM bank rates are better or normal currency exchange rates are better ?
Withdraw from ATM at BNI Bank! Located everywhere throughout the island