Langkawi is the holiday paradise of Malaysia that attracts visitors and tourists alike not only from within Malaysia but also from all over the world. As Langkawi is hosting thousands of foreign tourists everyday, currency exchange or money changers are plentiful if you know where to look for. In this post, we will introduce a few places where you can best exchange your currencies in Langkawi.
Money Changers at Langkawi International Airport
Upon arriving at Langkawi Airport, you will be greeted with a busy baggage reclaim area that hosts not only the baggage reclaim but also a whole stretch of travel agency counters offering car rental and tours in Langkawi. This is where you can book car rental and tours in Langkawi at very good price because there are so many travel agencies are competing with each other here. You can literally hear them shouting to attract visitors' attention. The taxi coupon counter and mobile phone SIM card seller can also be found in this area. Unfortunately there is no money changer in this area (baggage reclaim area). But no worry, read on...
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| Busy Baggage Reclaim Area |
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| Travel Agency Counters - Book Your Langkawi Tour and Car Rental Here. |
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| Taxi Coupon Counter at the Baggage Reclaim Area of Langkawi Airport- Buy your taxi coupon here. |
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| Celcom SIM card counter - buy your prepaid mobile phone SIM card at the Baggage Reclaim area. |
Fortunately, there are a few money changers
right outside the baggage reclaim area, at the arrival hall. You may walk out from the baggage reclaim area to get to the money changers. The airport security guard or police will usually allow you to return to the baggage reclaim area after you have exchange your money if you explain politely that you just go out for currency exchange.
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| CIMB Bank Currency Exchange on the right of baggage reclaim exit. |
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| Maybank Money Changer on the left of baggage reclaim exit. |
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| Automatic Teller Machine on the right of baggage reclaim exit - You can withdraw Malaysian Ringgit from this ATM if you see one of these international network logo on your credit card or ATM card. |
At Langkawi International Airport Arrival Hall, there are three outlets to exchange your foreign currencies to Malaysian Ringgit (labeled as RM instead of $ or MR). They are two money changers set up by two largest banks in Malaysia, namely Mayban and CIMB. You can find these two money changers right outside of the baggage reclaim area, with CIMB on the right and Maybank on the left when you exit the baggage reclaim area to the arrival hall. Major currencies such as Euro, USD, RMB, Singapore Dollar, Thai Baht, Indonesia Rupiah and many other currencies are well accepted here.
In addition to these money changers, you can also withdraw Malaysia Ringgit from an ATM machine next to Mayban money changers with your VISA card, Master Card, JBC card, Diners Club and Cirrus plus a lot more as long as the logos above the ATM matches the ones in your card.
In terms of exchange rates, the exchange rates at CIMB and Mayban money changers at Langkawi Airport is slightly more expensive than the one in langkawi towns but there is no harm to exchange your money here if you only need exchange a small sum for taxi, car rental or booking a tour. The rate for ATM withdraws are better but beware of financial charges for cash advance charged by the bank issuing card.
Tips 1: Some travel agencies at the airport accept credit card payment for car rental and tour booking. You may not need to exchange cash for these purchases.
Tips 2: There is another airport taxi coupon counter at the arrival hall of Langkawi Airport, after exiting the Baggage Reclaim area. If you missed the one in the Baggage Reclaim area, you can still book your taxi here.
Tips 3: The most cost effective way to get around in Langkawi is renting a car instead of taxi. You can get a decent Asian car for RM80-RM100 a day. This is very worthwhile considering that a single taxi trip in Langkawi could easily cost you RM20-RM30.
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| Another Taxi Coupon Counter at the Arrival Hall of Langkawi Airport. |
Currency Exchange at Kuah Langkawi
Money Changer at Langkawi Jetty (Kuah / Dataran Lang / Helang)
Your trip to Langkawi is not complete without a visit to Dataran Lang (Dataran Helang or the Helang Square) to see the big eagle statue. This is the point of arrival for many tourists who come to Langkawi using ferry or boat from Penang, Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, or Satun Thailand.
Upon arriving at the Jeti Langkawi, you will enter Jetty Point, which is a small shopping complex at Dataran Lang. Here at Jetty Point, you can find a small money changer. The rates are very competitive. Thai Baht, US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Australian Dollar, Singapore Dollar and other currencies are all very well accepted here.
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| Money Changer at Jetty Point, Jeti Langkawi located at Dataran Lang, Kuah. |
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| Jetty Point - A small shopping complex where the Langkawi Jetty is hosted. You can find money changers here. |
Upon leaving Jetty Point, you can see a few tour operators (travel agencies). This is a good place to book your tour or rent a car if you arrive in Langkawi through ferry at Jeti Langkawi. Remember, there is a money changer in Jetty Point opposite this tour operators. You can go back to Jetty Point to exchange your money if necessary if you are short of cash to rent a car or book a tour.
For those wanting to get a taxi to your hotel, you can book the taxi at the taxi counter located opposite Jetty Point.
Tips: If you are travelling in large group, ask for a van instead of taxi from the taxi counter. Vans can carry 7 to 12 people and are cheaper if you have more than 4 people in your group.
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| Tour Operator at the right hand site opposite Jetty Point, Dataran Lang. |
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| Another Travel Agency Located at the Left End, Opposite Jetty Point (Langkawi Jetty at Kuah). |
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| Taxi Counter at Langkawi Jeti. You can also hire a van here. |
Money Changer at Langkawi Parade, Kuah
Apart from the Jetty, another place that have money changer in Kuah is Langkawi Parade Shopping Mall. It is located along the main road of Kuah. You won't miss it. For those who want to shop for duty free wines, liquors, cigarettes and chocolates, this is a good shopping mall to visit. Many locals come here to buy their daily groceries too.
In Langkawi Parade, you can find a money changer located outside the supermarket. The currency exchange rates are also very good (among the best in Langkawi). The exchange rates are displayed on the electronics board too. You can read rates if you are too shy to ask.
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| Good Business at Langkawi Parade Currency Exchange booth. |
Money Changers at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi
Pantai Cenang is undoubtedly the most happening place in Langkawi. Not only there is a long stretch of beach, there are also countless numbers of small shops and restaurants here making it one of the best place for duty free shopping and dining. Many tourists from Malaysia, Thailand,
Indonesia and Singapore like to come here during school holidays.
There are many money changers at Pantai Cenang. The largest one is the money changer set up by Maybank at Cenang Mall (A shopping mall at Pantai Cenang, near Langkawi Underwater World). Apart from duty free shopping for wines, liquors, cigarettes, chocolates etc., you can also exchange your foreign currency here. All major currencies are accepted here.
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| Maybank Money Changer at Cenang Mall, Pantai Cenang. |
The Maybank Money Changer at Pantai Cenang only opens during normal working hours. If you need to exchange money in the evening, you can visit the money changer opposite Cenang Mall (they are open during day time too). This money changer is very popular among Malaysians and foreigners alike, most probably due to its good exchange rates.
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| Money Changers at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi that open at night. |
Walking along the road of Pantai Cenang, you will find a few other licensed Money Changers. Some of these only operate during day time while others during night times. In general, the exchange rates at Pantai Cenang is also among the best in Langkawi, comparable to Kuah.
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| Other licensed money changer along Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. |
Money Changer at Oriental Village / Langkawi Cable Car
A visit to oriental village is not to be missed for those visiting Langkawi for the first time. Apart from the cable car experience, there are quite a bit of shopping and activities you can do at the Oriental Village Langkawi. In case you are running out of cash (Malaysian Ringgit), there is a money changer near the entrance of the Oriental Village for your service. Those visiting Pantai Kok could also exchange their money at Oriental Village if needs arise.
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| Money Changer at the Oriental Village / Langkawi Cable Car |
Do Langkawi Hotels Provide Currency Exchange Service?
Yes, most 4 stars and 5 stars hotels in Langkawi do provide currency exchange service to their house guests. However, as with everywhere else in the world, the changing your currencies at the hotel is not very worthwhile because the exchange rates are not as good as money changers in town. If you need a small amount of Malaysian Ringgit for whatever reason, there is no harm changing money at Langkawi hotel.
The Best Money Changers in Langkawi?
Yes, you can find money changers at many places in Langkawi, from your point of arrival at Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi Jetty to popular destination in Langkawi such as Pantai Cenang, Kuah, Oriental Village. To exchange large amount of money while visiting Langkawi, it is advisable that exchange your currencies at money changers in Kuah and Pantai Cenang which offer better exchange rates compared to the others.
