ATM's and cash

Hi guys,

What%26#39;s the situation with ATM%26#39;s on the island? And if we%26#39;d take any foreign cash with us what should it be: USD or EUR or something third?

Thanks in advance,

Tony

ATM's and cash

for your information kuah town and the airport is where you will find most of the banks and money changers.

ATM's and cash

Hi Tony, there are few banks in Kuah Town with ATM machine out of the wall, and also ATM kiosks in the airport; and in Telaga Harbour,there is also an ATM machine.

I suggest if possible to make ATM withdrawal during banking hours, and in Langkawi, Sunday is the first working week. Banking hours are usually from 0915-1600hrs.

The advice is just a precaution in case machine swallow card; show money withdrawn, but no cash came out from machine(yes it does happen).

USD or Euro is fine; Euro fetches a better selling price.

Tony,

Just returned from Langkawi and the Maybank in the airportis by far the best option for changing money, either Traveller%26#39;s Cheques or currency.

I used the ATM at the airport and it worked well. But you get a much better exchange rate if you exchange cash at a local money changer. (But I suppose if you are from Estonia(?) you will have to pay commission to buy Euros or $)

Carhirer,

I am surprised at that. I got 6.76 from the Maybank at the airport (no commision) and the money exchangers were offering 6.45

You%26#39;ll get the best exchange rates at the money changers in the Maybank area of Kuah, the best one is opposite the taxi rank on the seafront. The building is on the corner, you will see a scribe sitting at a desk, go upstairs and turn right. Same street as Maybank.

He always gives a better rate with dollars, sterling etc.

Hi Tony,

If you are unfamiliar with Kuah, I would say do everything as soon as you come out of the airport, the Maybank on the left, as you come out of Departures offers one of the best rates on the island, and the opening hours are very convenient, It would be one of the most convenient bank if you happen to stay around Pantai Cenang.

Hotels and the lady in Langkawi Fair Mall normally give the worse exchange rates. USD, EUR or Pounds are ok, people rather prefer to exchange cash and not TC. Best is to have a Credit Card ready, come with foreign money in hand and if you really run out of cash, then opt for the ATM machine. Check with your bank about you options and extra charges if withdrawing with your CC or ATM card is cheaper.

DEfromBC

To illustrate the position, on my recent visist I got the following rates for £

London RM6.5

malaysian Bank RM6.7

Money changer RM6.8

I also used my ATM card and when that bill comes through I expect I will be charged at the London rates and have commission deducted.

I suspect the money changers rates do vary - particularly those attached to Hotels

Thanks guys,

I decided to go for EUR, I also take my credit card (Mastercard) so I hope to manage well :)

Thanks again,

Tony

If you use a debit card and don%26#39;t want to pay the interest rates that UK banks charge for drawing money on holiday then get a Nationwide debit card, they don%26#39;t charge you anything for using it abroad. With their credit card they don%26#39;t charge you for purchases but they charge interest on cash withdrawals.