What do i need to do for currency while in Australia?

Question

I'm leaving for Australia in 2 weeks. I plan on taking around $600-700 of USD money.

What do I do with this? Do I take it as cash and convert it there? Is there a way for me to convert it while still in USA? What is the safest way for me to do this?

Like could I possibly have this put onto a prepaid Visa or something and take that with me instead? Travelers cheques?

Please help someone!!!

Best answer=10 points!

Answer 1

What I normally do is convert my cash into travellers cheques in us$. They are accepted anywhere in the world. Don't worry, we actually have money exchanges over here in Aus. Bonn Voyage.

Answer 2

Hi,

I would bring $200US in cash.  Change it at the airport when you arrive in Australia.  Put the rest of the money on your visa before you leave.  There is very few places that don't take VISA.  I use my for EVERYTHING.  Its cheaper than paying bank fees.  Not everywhere takes travellers cheques and those places that do often charge a fee to negotiate them.

Answer 3

Just bring the US$.  Smart traders will take them on a 1 for 1 basis, and make a forex profit (but not for much longer).  You will look pretty stupid.

Or you could *gasp* accept that different places have different currencies and convert.

By the way, US$600 - 700 will not go far in 2 weeks.  I hope you have paid for most stuff in advance.

Answer 4

Prepaid Visa or you can convert your cash at any Major Australian Airport or if you prefer your bank can get you $AU before you leave. We are a relatively safe country so I would not worry about which ever way you go. I think the current rate is about $US 0.90 to $AU 1.00 so you should get about $AU1.10 for your dollar. Welcome to Aussie.

Answer 5

Travellers Cheques and Visa are acceptable in Australia. But you should not rely on these two things alone you should also carry some cash eg for taxi, bus, to get that coffee or to make small purchases. What if you lose your visa you will not have access to your money and can become quite complicated contacting your bank in America, and If you use Visa solely for purchases your bank in America will charge you an exchange fee for every purchase you make. You can get Australian currency from your bank in America or you can exchange the money in Australia at a bank or at a money exchange. Have a great trip Australia is a wonderful place and the people are friendly.

Answer 6

Go to any Bank or a Thomas Cook office when you get here, but time it for when you'll get the most cash in exchange.

Answer 7

Always your personal preferences.

But VISA is 100% acceptable in Australia, so using pre-paid Visa sounds the easiest to carry and use.

And you only pay bank commission on what you actually use. Need to check with your bank what commission they charge for Travelers Cheques when you buy them vs use of Visa. And remember that you will also be charged a fee when you cash your traveler's cheques.

But just have a small amount of Aus cash for when you arrive, as cards can't be used for everything. Like the bus, a coffe etc.