Hey fellas,
Going to Singapore and Bali for the first time! SGP I'm not too worried but with Rupiah, which place offers the best exchange rate in Sydney? Or will I be better off exchange it in Bali airport?
Many thanks!
Going to Bali and Singapore - Tips?
sauce2k on 21/09/2015 - 09:19
Comments
stay away from drugs…
stay away from chewing gum…
stay away from doing graffiti…
You can eat gum in Singapore now, just not spitting it out onto the floors or sticking it where it shouldn't be. Hmmmmmm
Singapore is damn expensive, accomodation for a decent hotel near the city is like $200 a night, restaurant's are very expensive and entertainment, only go if you have a lot of money haha.
You always get a better rate exchanging your money in the country you are going to
Depends on what you are looking for Fragrance Hotels are around $100 a night and are relatively accessable and clean.
Stayed at Fragrance Emerald which is about 10 min walk from the Railway, Trip advisor lists this at $73 a night, you can use that as a price guide.
They are clean and comfortable but nothing flash.
You can eat at the Hawker stands
http://goseasia.about.com/od/singapore/tp/HawkerCenter.htm
Sights are Raffles Hotel, Gardens by the Bay and Little India - see
http://www.singapore-guide.com/attractions/10mustsee.htm#pro…
Haha yeh I'm aware of the Singapore expenses
I forgot to mention that I have got the hotels sorted and I'm staying over mate's house in Singapore so that will spare me a lot of money to do some other stuff=].
Cheers for the tips!
Exchange a little at Bali airport to get you to your hotel if you don't have a hotel transfer then exchange your trip money at an exchange around legian/kuta/seminyak or wherever depending on where your staying, always a better rate than the airport. Remember to have US money on you to enter Bali, I think it's $20 from memory.
In Singapore if you go to Universal Studios make sure you get a fast pass, 40mins in a line for a popular ride like transformers compared to 2 hours. Didn't think I would enjoy it there but I had a blast with the missus, it was her pick.
Be careful when exchanging money in Bali as a lot of people have been scammed. The trick is they always want to be the last to "count" the money, then they'll drop a few under the counter without you knowing.
It's best to use Citibank Savings card and withdraw from an ATM
Yep my mate told me as well. But will exchange rate better in Bali airport than Sydney ?
Is Bali airport exchange counter dodgy as well?
The rates will be massively different from Sydney for Bali. You'll most likely get low 9000's in Sydney and high 9000's at the Bali airport. When changing a $100 that's $5-$10 difference.
The streets of Bali are low 10,000's at the moment.
Http://www.balibestrate.com/ is the street rate from a legit chain of changers.
The airport changers are safe and professional but it's a good habit to count it yourself anyway.
@Stone: cheers noted. I checked a couple of exchange rate centres here in sydney and like u said low-mid 9000s
As of October you dont need to pay for a visa
BTW which was $US35 or = $A50 - US payment made it cheaper.
http://www.bali.com/visa-indonesia-entry-requirements-bali.h… (Scroll down to see Vatican and Australia exempt as of October1)
That site hasn't been updated since our government chatted to the Indonesians and they withdrew the offer.
Now you are confusing me
In March they had said we would not be included
http://www.traveller.com.au/australia-excluded-from-indonesi…
On sept 2 or thereabouts the Indonesians said that Australians are now to be included as of October
http://www.traveller.com.au/bali-visa-requirements-australia…
Can you provide the link to say that this change of the change of mind has now changed again
@RockyRaccoon:
http://m.smh.com.au/world/doubts-over-indonesias-plans-to-sc…https://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/travel/travel-qanda/indon…
http://thebalibird.com.au/newsandreviews/visas-exempt-for-au…
Search for "retno bishop visa" and you'll see reports from Sept 3rd onward.
@Stone: Looks like you are right here is the latest
http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/indonesia…
No Visa exemption at present
No need for US money for the Bali visa on arrival. It's $35USD but can be paid in all major currencies and credit cards. They're charging $54-55AUD at the moment.
And exchange at legit money changers with shopfronts, not in market stalls. I don't even use the changers in Mini Marts.
Take a backup card if using just a card as machines eat cards and sometimes people leave cards in machines because you get your money before the card over there.
The visa on arrival is $35 USD. It can also be paid in AUD but they accept notes only. It should be around $50 AUD per person, if you intend to pay in AUD take enough small money (eg, $50 note per person plus a mix of $5/$10 notes just in case).
They will give you change in Rupiah which you can use to pay for your taxi to the hotel if there's enough.
I would avoid changing money at the airport, wait until you get to the area you're staying in.
Citibank Plus account is also great as you'll get the Visa exchange rate on the day and won't ever have to bother dealing with dodgy money changers that will try to scam you.
My Citibank plus card and 28degree card came today!
How are the rates with Citibank. I was thinking mainly using it in Singapore
I have both cards but I haven't used the Citibank card in Bali. People report that the exchange rate is really comparable to the money changers and sometimes above as they're slower to change the rate than the street.
The rates are fine, often better than money changers. None of the local banks charge ATM fees, be wary of the Commbank & ANZ ATM's in Indonesia as I believe they charge fees.
I usually use BCA, BNI or one of the other large Indonesian banks, works fine and have never had a problem.
The big plus is you don't have to worry about getting ripped off and the chance of getting fake notes is extremely low. The chance of getting fake notes on the street can be high depending on where you get cash changed.
why not go to malaysia stay there and do day trip to singapore if you must
Haha will be in Msia in Feb
Going to singapore mainly to visit my best friend
There are lots of money changers around.. I tend to go to the larger ones in Bali. Here's a tip:if you take aud notes make sure they aren't torn or damaged.. Last time they wouldn't take a $50 note because the corner was missing.
One thing I tend to do is pay the airport tax by giving them aud $100 note and get the change in rupiah.. Enough to pay the taxi!
I did see this post somewhere says there are changes to the airport tax system from October. Not sure of the details.
It's not the airport tax you are paying - it's a visa on arrival. The airport exit tax is now incorporated into ticket prices.
In Bali.. Been using uber all over the place and it's excellent and cheap!
Thanks for the feedback.
How long do they normally take to arrive? I'll be sure to use them in 10 days!
Tip - Don't go to Singapore. Or go to Singapore and make sure you take lots of money with you.