Even if foreign currencies are still accepted in Myanmar in some cases, usage of cash in local currency Myanmar Kyat (MMK) aka Burmese Kyat is almost unavoidable here. Money changers at Yangon Airport offer competitive currency exchange rates so you won’t lose much when making your foreign exchange at the airport.
Money Changers at Yangon Airport
Yangon International Airport (RGN) is not big so you can easily compare the rates offered by all money changers there.
Money Changers at International Arrivals
International arrivals are located in the central part of Yangon Airport. Once you will get out to the common area of the airport, you will see a row of currency exchange counters just in front of you. Here you can find currency exchange booths of these banks:
- Myanma Apex Bank
- KBZ Bank
- AYA Bank
At the time of our arrival booth of Myanma Apex Bank was experiencing some technical problems and didn’t even care to show currency exchange rates so we skipped it at once.
KBZ Bank was offering 1540 MMK for 1 USD, 1120 MMK for 1 SGD, 45 MMK to 1 THB and 1725 MMK for 1 EUR. However these currency exchange rates are only indicative and offered for the largest notes only. As you can see in the photo below, the smaller the note is the lower exchange rate you get.
Currency exchange rates at AYA Bank were higher than at KBZ Bank (1546 MMK for 1 USD, 1125 MMK for 1 SGD and 1740 MMK for 1 EUR) but again they were just indicative and offered for the top notes only.
Walk a bit to the left from these booths and you will find currency exchange booths of two more banks – AGD Bank and C B Bank.
AGD Bank was offering one of the highest currency exchange rates for USD as here you could get 1552 MMK for 1 USD. However, this exchange rate was offered for 100 USD notes only. For smaller USD notes you could get much better rates elsewhere.
The thing we really liked about AGD Bank was that they clearly stated to be giving the same rate for big and small EUR, SGD and THB notes. The exchange rates for these currencies here were as follows: 1131 MMK for 1 SGD, 46 MMK to 1 THB and 1730 MMK for 1 EUR.
Currency exchange booth of C B Bank located nearby was offering the best exchange rate for Euro as here you could get 1743 MMK for 1 EUR (500-50 EUR notes). Even if for 100 USD note you could get a better exchange rate elsewhere, exchange rates for smaller USD notes at C B Bank were really competitive. The best exchange rate for Thai Baht at Yangon Airport was also offered by C B Bank.
You will also see signs leading to two more “Currency Exchange” zones at Yangon Airport. Currency exchange booths of Domestic Terminal will be on your right and currency exchange booths of International Departures will be on your left.
Money Changers at Domestic Terminal
There are 3 currency exchange booths at Domestic Terminal of Yangon Airport:
- G. money
- AGD Bank
- Myan Nan Yone
AGD Bank currency exchange booth here is offering exactly the same currency exchange rates as elsewhere at the airport (there are 3 booths of this bank at Yangon Airport). Other 2 are not worth your time, so skip currency exchange at Domestic Terminal.
Myan Nan Yone currency exchange is not a reputable money changer at all as they have tried to scam us by offering much lower exchange rate than it was advertised for 50 EUR notes even if elsewhere you get the top rate for these banknotes. Avoid Myan Nan Yone currency exchange!
Money Changers at International Departures
There are 2 currency exchange booths in the common zone of International Departures - AGD Bank and DWW currency exchange.
AGD Bank currency exchange booth here is offering exactly the same currency exchange rates as in other terminals.
DWW currency exchange was offering the best exchange rate for SGD and MYR at Yangon Airport. All the rates were clearly stated on the board to avoid misunderstandings. However, it was closed during our visit on Saturday.
At the time of your departure you can find a currency exchange counter of AYA Bank after passing the Immigration and exchange your Myanmar Kyat leftovers to USD, EUR or SGD.
Don’t forget that exchange rates are dynamic and can change at any moment. There are few things you must know when doing currency exchange at Yangon Airport:
- the advertised exchange rate is for the biggest notes only (if there’s only one rate)
- expect to get significantly lower rates for small notes
- compare the rates you will get for your notes and not the top ones as different money changers have different strategies (quite often the top rate for the largest note means lowest rates for smaller notes)
- choose the money changers who are clearly stating exchange rates for different notes and avoid scammers like Myan Nan Yone currency exchange
- money changers at Yangon Airport don’t charge commission
Currency Exchange Rates at Yangon Airport
In most cases currency exchange rates at Yangon Airport are as good as elsewhere in the city. Plenty of money changers can be found in central Yangon around Sule Pagoda but the exchange rates there are more or less the same as at the airport (see the photo below).
Save your time and exchange your currency to Myanmar Kyats at Yangon Airport.
Tips
If you are looking for the most convenient way to get from Yangon Airport to the city, book Private Yangon Airport Transfer.
Most of foreigners need to get Myanmar Visa in advance if they want to enter Myanmar and travel around the country. Myanmar eVisa is the best option in most cases as it really saves time and money. How to apply for it, check here: Myanmar Visa Online Application.
Save more money by using public transportation for your trip to the center of the city with Yangon Airport shuttle bus.
More tips on traveling to Myanmar can be found here: Myanmar Travel Tips.