Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How and where do I exchange dollars into yen?

I'll be traveling to Japan and would like to exchange some money now before my trip. Where can I do this in the Seattle area? Do I just go to a bank?How and where do I exchange dollars into yen?Even with the double payment, you will tend to get a better rate than just exchanging at a U.S. bank.



When I was there two years ago, I bought a ton of yen at a measly 112 per dollard (the yen was hovering around 120)



However, when I would pull 30,000 from an ATM I'd get charged $7 with the ATM Fee and foreign exchange fee. The rest was at rate.



So with that I would get approx a 117 yen per dollar exchange, which is a good 5 yen per dollar more and for 30,000 and that was a savings of about $10.



Just know that the fees are flat at the ATM so the more yen you pull out the closer to the exchange rate you will get. Before you leave, check your single withdrawal limit, as the ATMs in Japan will just deny you if you request more and will not tell you why.



Overall, ATMs are by far the very best way to go.

Japan exchange centers are second best.

Banks are third best

Travel agencies give you the worst rates.



--Update--

Not many ATMs in Japan accept foreign cards.

The only ones I could access were the Post Office ATMs and Citi. With how bad Citi has been donig I'd stick with the Post.



The Tokyo central Post Office is just outside the South Exit of Tokyo Station.How and where do I exchange dollars into yen?if you can find a major bank then yes but i suggest once you get to the airport in japan they will have a currency exchange offic eso you should be good regardless hope you have fun in japan stay safeHow and where do I exchange dollars into yen?You can ask your local bank to bring in some yen for you, make an exchange at the Thomas Cook exchange counters at the airport before you go, or exchange at the exchange desks in Tokyo upon your arrival.



Usually the exchange rates you'll get here will be not that good. You almost always get a better rate in the country you are going to.



Usually you get your best exchange rates from an ATM - so if you have a debit/credit card with low international usage fees that would be the best way to get most of the money you'll need.



But you'll want to carry some cash that you change into yen either right before your trip or at the airport. Japan is much more of a cash oriented society than the US is, and you'll want to have the money on hand.How and where do I exchange dollars into yen?There will be places in the airport to exchange cash. They usually have a pretty good exchange rate. If you withdraw from an ATM in Japan, it will give you straight yen so you won't have to exchange. But check with you bank on fees and exchange rates for withdrawing in a foreign country.How and where do I exchange dollars into yen?That's easy! ANY major bank, OR Currency Exchange booth at either Sea-Tac airport or the Japanese airport at which you land.



I've been to Japan and it was the greatest experience of my life! (Of course, traveling with a Japanese native and staying with his family helped a lot!) Have a great time!

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