News

why every currency exchange offers a different rate

Why Every Currency Exchange Offers a Different Rate

If you’ve ever had to buy some foreign currency before a trip overseas, you probably noticed that every website has a different exchange rate. On top of this, no money changers seem to use the same rate as XE.com or Google. While it can be frustrating, knowing why each each exchange rate is different will help you not only find the best exchange rates, but also work out the cheapest way to buy your foreign currency. It comes down to money and the cost to get it to you. What is the online rate that I can see on Google […]

Best exchange rate in Australia

Is It Cheaper to Buy Foreign Currency Online?

Compared to the traditional way of buying currency in person, ordering foreign currency online is usually cheaper. Money changers that have a retail store have to pay for rent, staff and insurance. Online money changers like S Money don’t have these large costs, making it easier to provide better exchange rates and lower fees. Buying foreign currency online is also a lot easier. Unlike physical stores, all exchange rates are displayed clearly so you know what you are going to pay. In most cases, you can also get your currency delivered to your door, saving you the hassle of driving […]

Currency in Fiji

A Travel Money Guide to Fiji Fiji is just a short flight from the Australian east coast, making it a popular holiday destination for couples and families. And what’s not to love? You’ll be exploring white sand beaches, enjoying fresh coconuts, and snorkelling in reefs that earned Fiji the moniker the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”. A holiday destination like this deserves the utmost relaxation. So now is the time to read up on the currency in Fiji and find out the best travel money options for your trip. Our guide will help you figure out the best way […]

Transfer Money to China

Currency in China

A Travel Money Guide to China You’ll have more than enough to wrap your head around with China’s different culture, language, customs, and lifestyle. Why not save yourself one less stress? It helps to get savvy about money matters in China before you go. This post covers everything from how and where to exchange currencies to the average costs of things in China.   What currency is used in China In China, the currency everyone uses is the renminbi. The Chinese renminbi, which means ‘the people’s money’, is made up of the basic monetary unit called the yuan (pronounced ‘yoo-ahn’). […]

Currency in Canada

Currency in Canada

A Travel Money Guide to Canada What’s not to love about Canada? Our northern hemisphere cousins boast incredible ski fields, vibrant cities, and stunning coastlines waiting to be explored. Your Canadian holiday will be a little easier if you’re familiar with the country’s money matters: what the local currency is, whether you can use US cash in Canada, and the best ways to pay (cash vs card).   What currency is used in Canada The Canadian dollar is the currency used in Canada. It can be represented by the $ sign and the 3 letter code is CAD. Similar to […]

Transfer money to Singapore from Australia

Currency in Singapore

A Travel Money Guide to Singapore Whether Singapore is your holiday destination or just a fun stopover on the way to somewhere else, the city-state will quickly capture your heart. Travelling can be a little stressful but with a little knowledge of the country’s money situation, your trip will go a lot more smoothly.   What currency is used in Singapore In Singapore, the currency they use is called the Singapore Dollar. It is colloquially called the Sing dollar or simply the sing. The official currency in Singapore is also the Singapore Dollar, listed on the international markets as SGD, […]

Indonesian Rupiah

Currency in Bali Indonesia

A Travel Money Guide to Bali, Indonesia Bali is one of our most loved travel destinations but if this is your first trip, it’ll go a lot more smoothly if you’re informed about the currency in Bali. This guide is designed to get you up to speed with everything related to paying for things in Indonesia.   What currency is used in Bali The main currency people use in Bali is the same money used in all Indonesian islands: the Indonesian rupiah. This is the only currency officially used on the island. It’s represented by the currency code IDR and […]

The Australian dollar hits 70 cents for the first time since the start of 2020

The Australian dollar has risen back above 70 cents for only the second time since the first week of 2020. It has now recovered more than 20% since bottoming out in March when it fell below 58 cents. The amazing surge of the Australian dollar largely reflects a changing mood across global markets that not only is the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, but also that the impact will be less severe than previously forecast. The AUD has performed strongly, not just against the US dollar. It has risen sharply against most major currencies. The AUD to EUR exchange […]

2 Reasons the Australian dollar has charged higher above 69 cents

The Australian dollar (AUD) has charged higher to 69 cents against the US dollar. It is largely been driven by A weaker US dollar Strong iron ore prices A weaker US dollar During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US dollar got stronger and stronger. Fear griped the market, creating massive demand for US dollars and US dollar ‘safe haven’ assets like US treasuries. Since the middle of March, as infection rates in many western countries peaked, markets started to focus on the recovery. As conditions improved, markets became more optimistic, moving money back out of the US dollar, […]

Australian Dollar reaches a 3 month high on recovery hopes

In short The AUD/USD hits a 3 month high of 0.6675 as hopes for an economic recovery increase The Australian dollar is nearly 12 cents higher from its lows in late March The AUD has also rallied higher against the Euro, Yen and British Pound in the past 2 months Time Open Low High Today 0.6625 In the last week 0.6511 0.6675 In the last month 0.6376 0.6675 The Aussie dollar has made a remarkable recovery to hit a 3 month high against the US dollar at 0.6675. As the world entered the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, the Australian […]

Thai Baht

Currency in Thailand

A Travel Money Guide to Thailand If you’re one of the roughly 800,000 Australians heading to Thailand this year, you’ll undoubtedly want to get the most out of your holiday. Whether you’re heading to Phuket, enjoying a stopover in Bangkok, or ready to explore the mountains near Chiang Mai, your trip will go a lot more smoothly if you’re up to speed on Thailand’s currency and payment systems.   The currency Thailand uses The currency used in Thailand is called the Thai baht. It is the official currency in Thailand and is represented by the international code THB and the […]

Best Ways to Exchange Currency

How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Foreign Currency in Australia

When you’re planning a trip abroad, it’s important that your travel money goes as far as possible. Finding the best currency exchange rates means you’ll have more to spend. You have a lot of options when it comes to exchanging currency, but here are the best ways to get a better rate: Order online instead of going to a store If you do head into a store, ask for a better exchange, particularly if you are exchanging more than $1000 Always shop around to get the best currency exchange rates, as they make a big difference in how much travel […]

how much spending money for USA

How Much Spending Money You’ll Need in the USA for 1, 2 or 4 Weeks

It’s not an easy task to figure out how much spending money to take to the USA. The United States keeps you on your toes with every American state (and sometimes even individual cities within states) imposing its own tax rates and rules. Those rates and rules will affect everything you buy, from your Statue of Liberty souvenirs to tickets to a baseball game. In Montana, for instance, there’s no sales tax. But in Louisiana, it’s 10%. All of that means there’s no standard budget you can apply to every state. On top of that, how much you spend will […]

how much spending money for Europe

How Much Spending Money to Take to Europe for 1, 2 or 4 Weeks

It’s almost impossible to calculate the right amount of money you need to take with you on a holiday to Europe. You’re talking about a continent that features 50-odd diverse countries and some 25 currencies. The amount of spending money for Europe depends on a variety of factors, including: Where you intend to travel How long your stay will be The style of travel you prefer Are you sticking mainly to Eastern or Western Europe? Venturing up to Scandinavia or down to the Mediterranean? Are you staying in one city or country, or are you travelling across broad swathes of […]

How to Pay for Things in Europe Using a Card

Thanks to the proliferation of a single currency (the euro is the official currency of 19 European nations) and the global rise in plastic payments and ATMs, it’s easier than ever to carry cash across Europe. You no longer have to worry (for the most part) about exchanging money as you cross every border. Nor do you need to load yourself up with travellers cheques before you go.

Best Ways to Take Money to New Zealand

The 6 Best Ways to Take Money to New Zealand

New Zealand already has so much in common with Australia that you could be forgiven for thinking you could use your Aussie dollars in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Not so. Instead, you’ll need to convert your Aussie dollar into the local NZ dollar. But what exactly is the best way to take money overseas, from Australia to New Zealand? Our advice: combine a few of our top six options to get the most flexibility: Paying with your Australian debit card Buying a prepaid travel money card Pay with a credit card Take Australian dollars to exchange in […]

is it cheaper to exchange currency abroad

Where is it Cheaper to Buy Foreign Currency, Australia or Abroad?

In most cases, it is cheaper to buy your foreign currency at home in Australia before you head overseas but there are some important exceptions. It’s cheaper to convert Australian dollars into foreign currency if you are travelling to Singapore, Bali, Thailand or Hong Kong. If you are heading overseas in the next few months, here are some practical tips to get more out of your travel money: Places with the best exchange rates in Australia Buying currency online Using credit cards and debit cards overseas The best places to exchange currency abroad Conclusion and travel tips Buying travel money […]

foreign currency coins

What you can do with foreign currency coins

If you’ve travelled overseas, chances are, it’s happened to you. During your trip, your wallets and pockets become filled with foreign currency coins. Coins that, when you look at them, you have no idea if it’s worth 5 cents or 5 dollars. Then when you get back home, they get piled in with all the other coins from other trips or worse – they end up in the bin. Unfortunately, Australian money changers will rarely exchange these left over foreign coins but they aren’t worthless. Here are a few alternatives to throwing them out.

Updated: Posted on