Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is the main airport of Singapore and one of the main travel hubs in Southeast Asia. Several Changi Airport money changers are providing the service of currency exchange at Singapore Airport. Let's check how good exchange rate at Changi Airport is and which Singapore Airport money changer is offering the best rates.
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Singapore Changi Airport Currency Exchange
Even if Singapore is a modern country, in some cases using cash is unavoidable even here. As only the local currency, the Singapore dollar (SGD), is used for payments in the country, you might need to get local cash by withdrawing Singapore dollars from an ATM or by bringing foreign money and using currency exchange in Singapore. A wide range of foreign currencies are accepted for exchange to Singapore dollars.
If you're not comfortable with carrying a large amount of cash to exchange in Singapore but still want to get a much better exchange rate on your payments and withdrawals than your regular bank card is offering, consider getting a Wise Card that lets you spend abroad with the real exchange rate and works well in Singapore.
Changi Airport is an entry point for the majority of the country's visitors, making Singapore Airport currency exchange offices a popular place for money exchange in Singapore.
If you’re going to travel from Singapore Changi Airport to the city center by metro (MRT) and will decide to use the EZ-Link card (Singapore public transport card that can be used for multiple trips), you will have to get some Singapore dollars right at the airport, as the EZ-Link card can be purchased by cash only.
In such a case, you will have to use an ATM or find a branch of Changi Airport money changer and exchange your foreign currency.
Changi Airport Money Changer Offices
Singapore Changi Airport money changer branches can be found at all 4 terminals of Singapore Airport. All of them are supposed to be open 24 hours.
Maps of terminals can be easily noticed at the airport, so it shouldn’t be difficult for you to locate where the money changer is located. There are also signs leading to "Money Changer" all over the airport, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one of the branches for money exchange.
Money Changer Offices at Changi Airport Terminal 1
There are two money changers operating at Changi Airport Terminal 1 - UOB (one of the leading banks in Asia) and ChangiFX Money Changer by the company Changi Recommends, which is offering a wide range of services at the airport, including the Changi Airport baggage wrapping service.
Usually both Changi Airport money changers at Terminal 1 have currency exchange offices next to each other so you can easily compare the exchange rates offered.
UOB Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 1:
- Level 1, Arrival Baggage Hall (2 branches)
- Level 2, Public Area
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near C Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near D Gates)
ChangiFX Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 1:
- Level 1, Arrival Baggage Hall (2 branches)
- Level 2, Public Area
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near C Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near D Gates)
Money Changer Offices at Changi Airport Terminal 2
At Changi Airport Terminal 2, you can also find two money changers operating.
One of them is the same as at Terminal 1 - UOB Money Changer.
Another money changer operating at Terminal 2 that brings a sense of competition in the scene of currency exchange at Singapore Airport is Travelex Money Changer.
UOB Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 2:
- Level 1, Arrival Hall
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near F Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near E Gates)
- Level 2, Departure/Check-In Hall (North)
Travelex Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 2:
- Level 1, Arrival Hall
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near F Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near E Gates)
- Level 2, Departure/Check-In Hall (North)
Money Changer Offices at Changi Airport Terminal 3
At Changi Airport Terminal 3, currency exchange service is offered by two money changers that are the same as at Terminal 2 - UOB Money Changer and Travelex Money Changer. Often the branches of these two money changers are found next to each other so you can easily compare Changi Airport currency exchange rates.
UOB Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 3:
- Level 1, Public Area (2 branches)
- Level 2, Public Area
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near B Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near A Gates)
Travelex Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 3:
- Level 1, Public Area (2 branches)
- Level 2, Public Area
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near B Gates)
- Level 2, Departure Lounge (Near A Gates)
Money Changer Office at Changi Airport Terminal 4
The only money changer operating at Changi Airport Terminal 4 is UOB Money Changer, which has several branches at this distant terminal.
UOB Money Changer branches at Changi Airport Terminal 4:
- Level 1, Arrival Hall
- Level 2, Departure Transit
- Level 2, Public Area
If you are going to take a train from Changi Airport to the city, you will first need to take a bus from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. In case you would like to shop around for a better exchange rate at Singapore Airport, leave money exchange for later.
Best Money Changer at Singapore Changi Airport
All three Changi Airport money changers operating at different terminals of Singapore Airport charge 0% commission, which means that you are getting the exchange rate displayed on board. Therefore, to choose the best money changer at Singapore Airport, you need to compare currency exchange rates offered by each of them.
At the time of our visit at Changi Airport Terminal 1, we noticed that both of the money changers operating there (UOB and ChangiFX) were offering exactly the same exchange rate for the absolute majority of foreign currencies.
Minor differences could be noticed at selling rates (rates used when you exchange Singapore dollars to buy back foreign currency) as ChangiFX was giving a slightly better rate. However, such a difference hardly makes any sense, as you would need to exchange thousands of dollars to feel it. To exchange foreign currencies to SGD, both money changers were offering identical exchange rates with the exception of the Swiss Franc exchange rate, which is displayed differently. Swiss Franc exchange rate at ChangiFX is displayed for 1 CHF, while at UOB it is set per 100 CHF, making Swiss Franc exchange rate at UOB Money Changer slightly better.
More significant Changi Airport currency exchange competition can be noted at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where Travelex Money Changer operates together with UOB. The difference between exchange rates offered by Singapore Airport money changers was more significant at the time of our visit at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
On the day of our visit, Travelex Money Changer was offering a better exchange rate for US Dollar (USD) and Canadian Dollar (CAD).
At the same time, UOB Money Changer was offering better exchange rates for the euro (EUR), British pound (GBP), Australian dollar (AUD), New Zealand dollar (NZD), Swiss franc (CHF), and all others.
If you are looking for the best money changer at Changi Airport, in most cases you can stick to UOB Money Changer for getting Singapore dollars. However, for exchanging USD or buying back foreign currency in exchange for SGD, you might get a better rate at Travelex Money Changer.
As foreign exchange rates are dynamic and Changi Airport money changers might be adjusting their strategies, you should compare exchange rates offered at the time of your visit. Comparing exchange rates of different money changers at Singapore Airport is easy, as most competing currency exchange offices are located next to each other, and they clearly display the list of current exchange rates on a digital board.
The difference between Singapore Changi Airport currency exchange rates is not significant, so you won't be losing much by choosing any of the money changers there, unless you are planning to exchange a large amount of foreign currency.
Singapore Changi Airport Exchange Rate
How good or bad can Singapore Changi Airport's exchange rate be expected?
As you know, foreign exchange rates are changing during the time, and the table of Changi Airport exchange rates provided below isn’t current. However, you can know what rates to expect at Singapore Airport by comparing them with mid-market exchange rates at the time the photo was taken.
USD to SGD exchange rate at Changi Airport
The mid-market USD exchange rate at the time of our visit at Singapore Airport was 1.349 SGD for 1 US dollar, so the rate offered at the airport (1.314 SGD/USD) was by 0.035 SGD or 2.6% lower than the mid-market rate. For every 100 USD exchanged here, you’re losing about 2.6 USD. It’s definitely not the best foreign exchange deal you could get in Singapore for USD, but it's acceptable.
EUR to SGD exchange rate at Changi Airport
The mid-market EUR exchange rate at the time was 1.468 SGD for 1 Euro, so the rate offered at Singapore Airport (1.454 SGD/EUR) was by 0.014 SGD or around 1% lower than the mid-market rate. For every 100 EUR exchanged, you would be losing about 1 EUR.
As the demand for euros on that day was soaring in the market, the exchange rate at the airport was higher than usual, as the following day you could only get 1.441 SGD/EUR despite the mid-market rate staying at a similar level. On a normal day, you can expect to be losing about 2 EUR when exchanging 100 EUR at Singapore Changi Airport. However, it would still be a decent deal, as most of the banks in Europe would offer a considerably worse exchange rate for international withdrawal.
GBP to SGD exchange rate at Changi Airport
The mid-market GBP exchange rate at the time of our visit was 1.686 SGD for 1 British Pound, so the exchange rate offered at Changi Airport (1.673 SGD/GBP) was only 0.013 SGD or 0.8% lower than the mid-market rate. The following day the exchange margin increased as the rate offered by Changi Airport money changers dropped to 1.660 SGD/GBP, but it still stayed under 2%.
AUD to SGD exchange rate at Changi Airport
The mid-market AUD exchange rate at the time was 0.876 SGD for 1 Australian Dollar, so the rate offered at Singapore Airport (0.857 SGD/AUD) was 0.019 SGD or 2.2% lower than the mid-market rate.
CAD to SGD exchange rate at Changi Airport
The mid-market CAD exchange rate at the time was 0.986 SGD for 1 Canadian Dollar, so the rate offered at Changi Airport (0.963 SGD/CAD) was 0.023 SGD or 2.3% lower than the mid-market rate.
Changi Airport exchange rate for other currencies
Worse rates are offered for other currencies as the gap between buying and selling rates is more significant for less popular currencies such as Thai Baht (THB), Indian Rupee (INR), Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY), and others. Changi Airport exchange rates can be even 5-10% lower than the mid-market rates of less popular currencies.
In general, currency exchange rates at Singapore Changi Airport money changer offices are acceptable. Considering that the number of competitors here is limited, currency exchange rates at the airport are quite fair. However, you can find a better exchange rate in Singapore.
Singapore Changi Airport Exchange Rate Today
To get an idea of Singapore Airport's exchange rate today, check the current mid-market exchange rate of the Singapore Dollar here: SGD Exchange Rates.
Singapore Airport money changers introduced above for the most popular currencies offer foreign exchange rates that are around 2-2.5% lower than the current mid-market exchange rate.
To get a better SGD exchange rate for your payments and withdrawals, use Wise Card.
Best Exchange Rate in Singapore
To get Singapore Dollars at the best exchange rate, get yourself a Wise Card before traveling. With this card, you will always be getting the mid-market rate, and the conversion fee will be much lower than the exchange margin of money changers at Singapore Airport.
With Wise Card, you can withdraw Singapore dollars from any ATM found at Changi Airport.
Singapore SIM Card at Changi Airport
Changi Airport money changers not only offer currency exchange service but also sell various plans of Singapore SIM cards for travelers. You will definitely notice them advertised at the counter of the money changer.
You can get these Singapore SIM cards cheaper by booking them online and picking them up at any of the 4 terminals of Singapore Airport (Changi Airport money changers are often pickup points for online bookings). Discounted Singapore SIM cards can be booked online here:
Singtel Singapore SIM Card (SG Airport & City Pick Up)
Starhub SIM Card for Singapore (SG Airport & City Pick Up)
M1 SIM Card for Singapore (SG Airport or City Pick Up)
Otherwise, if your mobile phone is eSIM compatible, you can get eSIM Singapore by instant email delivery and use it right after landing in Singapore.
Tips
For the most comfortable way of getting from the airport to your hotel in Singapore, book a Singapore Airport private transfer, and the driver will be waiting for you at the airport.
If you prefer to travel from the airport into the city by public transportation, it can also be done, as Singapore public transportation is a convenient and affordable way to travel around Singapore. There are several types of Singapore transport tickets to choose from.
Explore one of the world’s best airports when you visit Changi Airport and take advantage of this discounted ticket with admission to multiple attractions in Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport: Jewel Changi Airport Attraction Ticket.
Refresh and recharge in the Plaza Premium Lounge before boarding your plane in Changi Airport by booking a discounted lounge entry ticket here: Singapore Changi Airport Premium Lounge Entry. Take a hot shower, use the Wi-Fi, and enjoy delicious local food with beverages.
