Airport counters are convenient but carry the widest markup. Post offices and banks are a middle option. Unstaffed machines, including SMART EXCHANGE, typically offer rates closest to the mid-market rate with no wait.
Airport and staffed counters
Staffed counters at airports and in city centers are the most visible option and require no setup, but they build a wider margin into their rate to cover the cost of running a counter. They make sense for a small amount you need immediately.
Banks and post offices
Post office counters in particular tend to beat bank-affiliated counters by a small margin while still being staffed, which makes them a reasonable middle ground if you want a person to talk to but not the widest markup.
Tip: Rates change throughout the day at machines and counters that update automatically, so it is worth checking the current rate before exchanging a large amount rather than assuming a fixed difference.
Unstaffed exchange machines
Machines have no staffing overhead, so rates are consistently closer to the mid-market rate than any staffed counter, and there is rarely a line. They run around the clock, which also makes them useful outside normal business hours.
SAVE ON YOUR EXCHANGE
Get your free exchange coupon
Show this coupon at any SMART EXCHANGE machine for a better rate than the counter, no sign-up required.
Which option should you use
If you need cash immediately after landing, a small amount from a counter or ATM covers the gap. For anything larger, an unstaffed machine or a post office counter will generally get you a better result.
