Best places to exchange currency in Sydney
Where to find the best deal when you want to exchange foreign currency in the Sydney CBD.
Key takeaways
- S Money often provides leading exchange rates, for example 1.8% for AUD to USD.
- Always compare online rates and check the mid-market rate to secure a better deal.
- Avoid airport exchange bureaus and foreign ATMs for currency as they usually incur higher costs.
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 a 1.9% service fee when converting more than $1,000 AUD to USD. In comparison, Travel Money Oz and Travelex don't charge a separate fee but build a margin into their exchange rates, which can be around 2.5%–3.5% above the mid-market rate for 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 Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm. 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 Despite this, their website is very outdated and they only accept cash as payment.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. Travel Money Oz has one Sydney CBD store, at the Mid City Centre 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 more than 60 stores across Australia, including several in the Sydney CBD. 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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Traveling from the US to study in Sydney for the next 2 months and I need to know the best place for the highest exchange rate and lowest commission/fees that I can use my US Bank Debit Card to get AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS… or even a Cash Advance of AUD using my US Credit Card. Every website I look at assumes I want to buy US dollars paying with AUD?!? I need it the other way around! Any suggestions would be MOST appreciated!! I realize I’m not going to get $1.51 AUD for every $1 USD… I’m just trying to get as close as possible! Thank you!!
Hi Richard,
It may be worth looking in an account with Wise. They offer low-fee currency exchanges with high exchange rates, and any money you don’t spend can be easily transferred back into your US bank account. This is our review page for Australian account-holders for more general info; you would want to sign up as a customer in the US, so you can load US currency as your default. Hope this helps!