Money Exchange in Phuket (2025 Guide): Best Places, Exchange Rates & Currency Tips for Travelers
Changing money in Phuket is easy — but doing it the right way can save you thousands of baht. Whether you’re arriving with USD, EUR, GBP, or other major currencies, this 2025 guide to money exchange in Phuket breaks down the best places to exchange cash, how to avoid hidden fees, and what every traveler should know about ATMs, payment apps, and Thai cash culture.
🇹🇭 Quick Overview: Thai Baht Basics
- Currency code: THB
- Most used notes: ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500
- Coins: ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, ฿10
- Conversion tip: ฿1,000 ≈ USD $27–30 (as of April 2025)
💡 Thai businesses typically prefer cash for small transactions under ฿300.
📍 Best Places to Exchange Money in Phuket
✅ 1. SuperRich (Orange or Green)
- 📍 Locations: Jungceylon Patong, Central Festival, Phuket Town
- 💰 Known for: Best exchange rates in Phuket
- 🕒 Open daily, 10am–8pm
- 💳 Accepts major currencies with passport
Why use it?
SuperRich is Thailand’s most trusted currency exchange chain — rates are significantly better than at airports or hotels.
✅ 2. Kasikorn Bank / SCB / Krungthai Currency Counters
- 📍 Found in shopping malls and tourist zones
- 💰 Good alternative to SuperRich
- 🧾 Passport required
Tip: Avoid exchanging large bills at hotels or kiosks near beaches — they often charge 3–5% less favorable rates.
🚫 Places to Avoid for Exchanging Cash
| Place | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Airport exchange counters | Convenient, but rates can be 10–15% worse than town |
| Hotel front desks | Markups applied, especially for large bills |
| Random kiosks in tourist hotspots | Some quote rates in buy/sell spread — confusing & expensive |
🏧 Withdrawing Money from ATMs in Phuket
💳 Thai ATMs are everywhere — but fees apply:
- Standard fee: ฿220 per withdrawal (approx. $6 USD)
- Limit: ฿20,000 per transaction (sometimes lower)
- ATMs with English menus available everywhere
- Use ATMs attached to banks (SCB, Bangkok Bank, Krungsri) — more reliable
💡 Pro Tips:
- Choose “Continue without conversion” if offered — this avoids a bad exchange rate
- Notify your home bank before traveling to avoid blocks
- Withdraw larger amounts at once to avoid repeated ฿220 fees
📱 Paying with Cards, Apps & QR in Thailand (2025 Update)
✅ Credit & Debit Cards
- Widely accepted in malls, hotels, and major restaurants
- 💳 Visa & MasterCard most accepted
- Small vendors often cash-only
✅ Mobile Payment (PromptPay)
- Locals use PromptPay QR for nearly everything — even tuk-tuks
- Foreigners can use PromptPay if linked to a Thai bank account
- Most tourists won’t use this unless staying long-term
✅ Apps to Watch:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — low-fee currency conversion
- Revolut — works well, but some Thai ATMs may block prepaid cards
- YouTrip / Instarem — growing options for Asia-based travelers
💱 Should You Bring Cash or Use Card?
| Type | Recommended For |
|---|---|
| 💵 Cash (USD/EUR/GBP/AUD) | Best rates if exchanged at SuperRich or bank counters |
| 💳 Debit Card | Good for larger withdrawals, but fees apply |
| 💳 Credit Card | Ideal for hotels, big stores, emergencies |
| 📱 eWallets / QR | Optional — useful only for long stays or expats |
🧭 Currency Exchange Tips for Phuket Travelers
- 🧾 Always carry ฿100s and ฿20s for tuk-tuks and street food
- 📍 Exchange a small amount at the airport (฿1,000–2,000 max), then do the rest in town
- 💵 Bring crisp, new notes — Thai banks sometimes reject torn or marked bills
- 📉 Check rates at Xe.com or the Wise app before exchanging
✅ Final Word: Don’t Let Bad Rates Eat Your Budget
Thailand is an affordable destination — but currency mistakes can quietly add up. Use trusted money changers like SuperRich, avoid airport counters, and if you’re withdrawing from ATMs, do it smartly and in bulk.
For a smooth money experience in Phuket:
- 📌 Exchange cash at SuperRich or bank counters
- 💳 Use cards selectively (watch for foreign fees)
- 🏧 Minimize ATM withdrawals to reduce flat fees
- 📱 Use Wise or Revolut for budget tracking and rate checks
