Japanese Friend Visiting Australia, What's The Best Way to Get Australian Currency?

Hey there, as the title states, I'm trying to help my friend with getting Australian currency (from yen).

Usually when traveling to other countries I'd bring cash and get it exchanged locally, or for Japan I'd take out big sums of cash at an ATM. But, I actually have no idea in regards to Australia. I suppose it's specific to the bank she is using in Japan, but my Japanese isn't the best and her English isn't either, so I'd find it difficult to talk about and research specific bank rates.

So does anyone have any general advice about getting Australian currency? If they have any specific experience when dealing with yen, that'd be even more helpful!

Thank you.

Comments

  • +6

    Give it to her from your bank account in return for yen when you visit Japan :)

    • That was what I was thinking - but it depends on when OP is heading over there again.

  • +8

    Fruit picking.

  • spot on. lol.

  • Use their bank card at an atm

  • -2

    I'm guessing you're asian and probably live in Sydney or Melbourne.

    Try currency exchange places in Chatswood/Crows Nest in Sydney.

    or

    Any currency exchange place around Federation Square.

    These places are use to people exchanging large sums of cash. THe Chinese do it daily.

    • +1

      European descent Australian living in Adelaide :( But thanks for the advice anyway!

      • -2

        Damn ;(

        Soz weboo

      • Lol. Thanks for the laughs haha.

  • +1

    When she gets here.. Give it to her..

    Pun and no pun intended.

    • the old 'do you have any aussie in you?"

      • +1

        Oi Oi Oi.

  • So why dont you exchange it for her at a better rate, so you have cash when you go to Japan later.

  • Try sell it! Put it on forum. Plenty ppl go to Japan and would love to get Yens. I would love to buy some off ur friend but I’m not going to Japan till next year May…

    On another note, how much is she trying to swap?? Just out of interest… I could buy some and keep it aside for when I go japan next year (if you’re in Melbourne)

    Edit: just saw you’re from Adelaide… prob a no then, don’t know how it works for interstate. :(. Best of luck though!!

    • +1

      Stream of consciousness aside, I wouldn't be advertising cash on a forum. You don't know what kind of grubs might sense an opportunity.
      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-28/sanghyun-hwang-found-g…

      • +1

        Oh gee, that’s scary af. I have once bought a stack of yens from someone on ozbargain forum about two years ago… it was pretty scary meeting up someone you don’t know but it turned out to be legit. But Yeh I understand what you meant.. :/

  • Ask her if she can take out money out of her savings account using an ATM in Japan by choose VISA or MasterCard.

    If she can she should be able to do that here too.

    But, in Japan cash is king.

    Imo she should bring some Aussie dollars with her bought in Japan. And yen. (so, she will feel secure like home; having cash in hand).

  • +1

    They open a transferwise acc and put it in your bank acc till they arrive.

    • This is the best advice on this thread. I use transferwise all the time and they're great. Transfers are cheap and the rates they offer are good.

      Here's the relevant page from their site: https://transferwise.com/help/article/2002695/australia-and-…

      She sends you the money she wants converted from Yen to AUD. When she arrives your give it to her. Or if she doesn't want to carry what might be lots of cash, you take it out of your account and put it on a prepaid cc. Or whatever.

  • Best rate will be here when she arrives.

  • Best rate here locally, why?

    Because plentiful aud supply here, compared to in Japan

  • +1

    Buy Suntory Kakubin whisky in Japan for a ridiculously low price. Bring it to Australia and sell it for $40/bottle.

  • I suppose it's specific to the bank she is using in Japan, but my Japanese isn't the best and her English isn't either, so I'd find it difficult to talk about and research specific bank rates.

    Yep.

    Maybe ask her what bank she uses and try and dig through their website if they have an English version.

    I wouldn't be telling her to bring thousands of yen here. Unless the fees are crazy, using a credit card assuming she has one will probably be the best bet.

    Try the Japanese thread on whirlpool as well. Someone might be able to help you and there area a few members who I think to speak a bit of Japanese so maybe they can help you send something that would make sense.

  • I always pre-load my Visa DEBIT card when I'm travelling. It works on ATMs overseas (Vietnam, UK, France, Cambodia…..) and as a "normal" credit card in shops etc. Plus, it means you're always pretty conscious of how much of the pre-load is left after you spend!

  • What city are they coming to?

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