Currency Exchange Website

[BlueThunderKuno]

I am looking for a website that will let me change USA Dollars to Japanese Yen. I understand I can convert money in Japan, however I want to do all my converting before I head over. Also banks in the USA charge a fee to process the exchange. So if anyone knows of a good website please let me know.

 

[Pachipro]

Your best bet will be to change it at the airport in Japan after arriving. The exchange rate is much better than any bank or airport in the US. That's about the best you can expect.

When I went to Japan last May, the Dallas airport exchange rate was a full 4 yen higher than I was charged in Japan. If the spot rate is say 110yen/US$, Dallas would sell you yen at 104 yen/US$ while Narita airport would sell you yen at 108/US$

 

[ArmandV]

Your best bet will be to change it at the airport in Japan after arriving. The exchange rate is much better than any bank or airport in the US. That's about the best you can expect.
When I went to Japan last May, the Dallas airport exchange rate was a full 4 yen higher than I was charged in Japan. If the spot rate is say 110yen/US$, Dallas would sell you yen at 104 yen/US$ while Narita airport would sell you yen at 108/US$

He's right. Do it at the airport when you arrive in Japan. Better rates there.

 

[BlueThunderKuno]

Well the one thing I dont want to do is change large sums of money while in japan. I wanted to change it before i go over so I can securly place it somewhere, and make sure I have it all accounted for.

 

[ArmandV]

Well the one thing I dont want to do is change large sums of money while in japan. I wanted to change it before i go over so I can securly place it somewhere, and make sure I have it all accounted for.

If you change it here, you will be carrying more large sums of money (more bills) than if you just waited and changed it there. The exchange office at Narita is only a few feet of the exit from customs and baggage in the arrival lobby. You can still securely place your money somewhere but you will have better rates.

 

[BlueThunderKuno]

I understand that to be the perfered option, but I still am very curious if there are good reliable websites that will change currency for me as well. I just want to look at all my options.

 

[ArmandV]

I understand that to be the perfered option, but I still am very curious if there are good reliable websites that will change currency for me as well. I just want to look at all my options.

I'd trust a local bank who handles foreign exchange before I'd trust some website with my money.

 

[ifjames]

I'd trust a local bank who handles foreign exchange before I'd trust some website with my money.

Does anyone know the relative rates at Narita compared to banks in Australia??? We are always told here that banks give better rates than Money Exchanges, but we have a travel agent which guarantees to buy back at the rate they sell (if you are lucky enough to bring any Yen home!!!!) and charges no commission if you exchange $500 AUS or more, which we will obviously need to do

 

[BlueThunderKuno]

Yea maybe I will do it at my bank. I just want to make sure I have everything in order in the USA before heading to Japan, thats why I am so gunho about changing money here.

 

[thepoolhalljunky]

I've been doing a lot of research on how to handle money when going to Japan. Look for a bank account such as Citibank or Capital One which doesn't charge you a fee for using overseas ATMs. Then use the ATMs in the post offices in Japan because they don't charge a fee for overseas cards on that end either. This way you can regularly take out just as much as you need and don't have much leftover to exchange and lose money on when you return.