Best places to exchange currency in Sydney
Where to find the best deal when you want to exchange foreign currency in the Sydney CBD.
If you're looking to exchange foreign currency in Sydney, you're spoiled for choice. As Australia's largest city, Sydney has lots of exchange services to choose from – but it's a good idea to shop around to make sure you're getting good value for your money.
Keep reading to find some of the top places to convert your cash in the Sydney CBD.
Where can I change my money in Sydney?
1. S Money
S Money is an online currency exchange, but they have a pickup location in the CBD. Based on our research, S Money offers the best exchange rates in Sydney but charge a percentage-based service fee and a $14 service fee for home delivery. For example, S Money charges 1.8% when converting AUD to USD. In comparison, Travel Money Oz and Travelex add a markup of 3.70% when exchanging to US dollars.
2. United Currency Exchange
Founded in 2006, United Currency Exchange offers great exchange rates on major currency pairs and has one location in Sydney CBD. They are open four days a week from 10am to 6:00pm. You can pre-order online or in-store, and there are more than 35 currencies available. Despite this, their website is very outdated and they only accept cash as payment.
| Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Shop 14, 1 Dixon Street | (02) 8964 6914 |
3. Travelex
As one of the most recognised names in the foreign exchange space, Travelex allows you to buy and sell over 45 currencies online and in-store. Travelex has one location in the Sydney CBD, their online rates are much better than in-store. They have a strong presence in airports, shopping malls and other convenient locations.
| Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Shop 15C, Lower Ground 2, 455 George St | (02) 9264 1267 |
4. Travel Money Oz
Travel Money Oz supports more than 60 currencies, and has a travel money card that can be pre-loaded with up to 10 currencies. You can buy currency from Travel Money Oz online or in-store. Before Covid, Travel Money Oz had multiple locations in the Sydney CBD but are gradually looking to open more stores. Currently, they have one location on Pitt Street.
| Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Kiosk 1, Mid City Centre 197 Pitt Street | 1300 035 797 |
5. Crown Currency
Founded in 1998, Crown Currency has 55 stores across Australia and has two locations in the city. Crown Currency offers services including cash exchange, traveller's cheques, and international money transfers. Unlike other services, Crown Currency doesn't display exchange rates on their website so you will need to contact them for a quote. Their stores are open from 9am to 5pm.
| Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Shop 2021, Level 2 Westfield Sydney | (02) 8278 7980 |
| Stockland Piccadilly, Kiosk 2, 210 Pitt St | 1300 392 426 |
Smaller Stores
- City Forex - great service but exchange rates aren't the best.
- Bloom Forex - great exchange rates for RMB.
- International Currency Exchange - convenient locations with competitive exchange rates.
Tips for getting the best deal when exchanging money in Sydney
- Know the mid-market rate. Use Google to find the latest mid-market rate. This will let you work out if the rate being offered is fair.
- Shop around online. Rather than visiting several stores in person, shop around online to find a provider with strong rates and low fees.
- Check for fees. Make sure you check the fine print to discover what fees apply to your transaction. Even if an exchange bureau claims that it doesn't charge any fees, they typically add a margin to the real exchange rate.
- Avoid airport exchange bureaus. Exchange bureaus at airports generally offer poor exchange rates and higher fees.
- Steer clear of ATMs. Withdrawing money from a foreign ATM may be an easy option, but the high fees and disappointing exchange rates mean it's also quite expensive.
Compare money transfer services
Looking to send an international money transfer rather than exchange currency? Compare our options below to save money on transfer fees and lock in stronger exchange rates.
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