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While US dollars are widely accepted in Southeast Asia, each country in the region has its own currency. Card payments are common in the capital cities, especially in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, but you will need cash if you’re going off the beaten track. We give you the lowdown on how to take and use money in Southeast Asia, a region of tropical beaches and delicious food at affordable prices.
A travel card allows you to hold a number of different foreign currencies at the same time. Spend in the currency of your destination and you can avoid the fee for currency conversion. Thai baht and Singapore dollars are supported currencies on a number of products, but Brunei dollars, Cambodian riels, Indonesian rupiah, East Timor dollars, Laos kip, Malaysian ringgits, Philippine pesos and Myanmar kyats are not supported currencies.
If you’re travelling to the aforementioned countries, a travel card with no currency conversion fee is suited. However, travel cards are fee-heavy products, so you’re going to pay for international transactions one way or another. For example, cards which don’t charge for currency conversion might charge for international ATM use. You’ll also have to pay fees when you purchase, load or reload the card.
You can use any Mastercard or Visa debit card, though you should be weary of using it abroad as there may be fees attached. Barclays will charge a 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee, Lloyd’s will charge a 2.99% non-sterling fee on cash withdrawals and purchases, and NatWest/RBS will charge a fee of 2.75%. Regardless, a debit card can be a good back-up option.
Some credit cards don’t charge for currency conversion and international ATM withdrawals. It’s generally not a good idea to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM – cash advance interest and the cash advance fees apply when these products are used for this purpose. These fees can be avoided by preloading these products with your own money. Note that a local ATM operator fee may still apply and some providers will charge a cash advance fee regardless. Using a credit card with a positive balance also voids the anti-fraud guarantees from Mastercard and Visa.
An almost obsolete form of travel money, traveller’s cheques can be cashed in more places in Thailand and Cambodia compared to other parts of the world. In Thailand, traveller’s cheques may be cheaper to cash at a bank than when withdrawing baht from an ATM. A number of Thai banks will cash cheques for a fee. If you’re travelling to the Philippines, anecdotal evidence suggests cheques are very hard to cash anywhere.
Although each country in the region uses different currencies, US dollars can be used throughout Southeast Asia. In some places (Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos especially) you’ll see prices quoted in US dollars, and some businesses such as hotels may prefer payment in US dollars. If you do take US dollars to Southeast Asia, make sure you have an eye on the exchange rates so you know how much you should be paying. In the rural areas of Southeast Asia, debit, credit and travel cards will not be accepted. Make sure you have enough cash to cover your planned expenses (and then some).
Cities in Southeast Asia are well serviced by ATMs. You won’t have a problem using Visa and Mastercard products. Be prepared to pay an ATM operator fee, the vast majority of ATMs in Southeast Asia charge a fee when you make a withdrawal.
It’s best to get the currency of the destination you’re visiting. Pounds can be easily changed to the local currency in tourist centres and international airports throughout the region. In Cambodia and Myanmar, and to a lesser extent Laos, where US dollars are the currency of the street, you’ll get the local currency in change when you pay with US dollars.
Southeast Asia is a budget holiday destination compared to many other parts of the world. You’ll find that developed economies such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and especially Singapore are more expensive than emerging destinations such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. You will be able to spend as much money as you can afford in Southeast Asia, you can get an idea about budget prices in the table below.
Bangkok (Thailand) | Singapore | Vientiane (Laos) | Hanoi (Vietnam) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hostel dorm bed £7–£15 per night | Hostel dorm bed £10–$20 per night | Hostel dorm bed £5–£10 per night | Hostel dorm bed £4–£10 per night | |
Khao gang (curried rice/street food) £1–£2 | Chicken and fish dumpling noodles (street stall) £5 | Lao sausage/Sai oua (street food) £2 | Budget meals at a cafeteria £1 | |
Marketing shopping on Koh Sahn Road £0.30–£5 | Visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens Trip Free | Visit the Lao People’s Army Museum £0.50 admission fee | Sightseeing at Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle tower Free |
*Prices are approximate and are subject to change.
Visa and Mastercard credit cards, debit cards and travel cards have wide acceptance in Southeast Asia. Take a look at our digital banking accounts that are good for travel. If you have an American Express, you’ll need to take a Visa or Mastercard card too. In the cities, you’ll find ATMs are easy to find, but in smaller towns and off the beaten track there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get cash from an ATM (ATMs can be scarce and frequently run out of cash). Card acceptance in these areas is also sketchy at best, so make sure you have enough cash to cover you for the times you’re venturing outside of urban centres.
Travel money option | Pros | Considerations |
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Debit cards for travel |
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Prepaid travel money cards |
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Credit cards for travel |
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Traveller’s cheques |
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Cash |
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This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.
If getting the best rate is your main concern, it’s better to wait to exchange your pounds until you arrive at your destination — you’ll get more for your money exchanging at a bank or exchange office in Southeast Asia. Laos kip (LAK) and Myanmar kyat (MMK) are difficult to find in the UK.
Make sure you’ve spread your travel budget across a couple of cards. For example a travel card, debit card or credit card and US dollars in cash. This will give you more options if you’re travelling between countries. Conditions can change between countries and ATM availability is not guaranteed outside Southeast Asian cities.
If you have any questions about travel money for Southeast Asia, get in touch with us using the form at the bottom of the page.
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We are travelling to south east Asia- Vietnam, Thailand, cambodia, Malaysia and are wondering if a travel card is the best way to store and spend money in these places. Thanks
Hi Nicola,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
The best way to store and spend money in Southeast Asia would depend on your needs, preference, and budget. Thankfully, you can use the table above to get a quick overview of the pros and cons of each option that you have. Please check the table under the subheading, “Travel money options for Southeast Asia at a glance.” Once you read that, you should have a better understanding to make the right decision.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi I’m travelling to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, what is the best travel money card I should get and where should I get it from?
Hi Kira,
Thank you for your inquiry.
As per checking you are in the correct page. Please our comparison table provided above for your list of options.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi
Me and my partner are going travelling around South East Asia and in October for around 1 year and currently in the process of looking for a suitable pre paid card / new bank account that would be relevant for us.
Ideally we would to load a lump sum onto a card and budget within accordingly, we would look for low / free withdrawal fees.
What would you advise as the best method of taking cash / card for our trip?
Hi George,
Thank you for reaching out. As we are a comparison and general information service, we’re unable to recommend or suggest a specific travel card for you as the best option would ultimately depend on your travel plans, spending habits and financial situation.
Nevertheless, you may compare your travel prepaid card options above. Once you’ve chosen a travel card, you may click on the ‘Go to site’ button and apply for the card on the issuer’s main website. Please note though that in Southeast Asia, credit cards, debit cards and prepaid travel cards with Visa or MasterCard logos are widely accepted there.
Cheers,
May