Best Places to Exchange Money in Yangon

Yangon Travel Guide / December 05, 2019
Best Places to Exchange Money in Yangon Image credit: Paul Arps

The official currency in Myanmar is known as Kyat (pronounced as “chat”). You will find the banknotes in denominations of K50, K100, K200, K500, K1000, K5000, and K10,000.

The Kyats are the only currency that works when you are shopping at small stores, market stalls and riding taxis. Apart from Kyats, US Dollars are widely accepted at major stores, hotels, and airline counters. When making payment using US dollars, you will get your change in kyat. So, make sure you have these both currencies, or at least US dollars in your wallet for smoother transactions.

To stock up on Kyats while being in Yangon, you have the choice of exchanging your money at authorized money changers or at major bank branches. Unlike the way it is in many big cities in Asia, exchange rates from Yangon’s money changers and banks don’t differ greatly. These two service providers both have forex shops or branches at convenient locations. So, the choice is yours.

1. Money changers at and around Bogyoke Aung San Market

Money changers at and around Bogyoke Aung San Market Image credit: Tetsushi Kimura

Bogyoke Aung San Market, a place with beautiful colonial architectural design, is an outstanding landmark right in central Yangon. It means the building is a must-see and is easily accessible by many means of transport.

The market and its surrounding areas house a number of currency exchange shops with competitive rates. The most popular among them must be Moe Yan Exchange and PHK Money Exchange which are famous for reliable service and constantly good rates.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS

1) PHK Money Changer

  • This shop is located right inside Bogyoke Aung San Market.
  • Address: No. 51 West D Block, Bogyoke Market, Aung San Thuriya Saw Ba Yi St, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 972 366033
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
  • Exchange rates

2) Moe Yan Exchange

  • It sits next to KBZ Bank which is just a minute walk from Bogyoke Aung San Market.
  • Address: No.186, 28th Street, Upper Block, Pabedan Township, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 797 006121
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 18:00
  • Exchange rates

3) Royal Empire Currency Exchange

  • This shop is just across Red Dot Network Office which is a 7-minute walk from Bogyoke Aung San Market.
  • Address: No.19 (3/A), Yawmingyi Road, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 730 11193
  • Opening hours: Daily 08:30 – 18:00

4) White Bay Money Changer

  • Its location is across Sule Shangri-La Yangon which is a 5 minute walk from Bogyoke Aung San Market.
  • Address: No. 221 Ground Floor Room B, 32nd Street Upper Block 11/Ward, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 377 457
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 18:00

5) Tharawun Money Changer

  • This shop is located across Japanese Izakaya. It takes less than 15 minutes to walk from Central Railway Station to the place.
  • Address: No. 251, 40th Street, Kyaunkdata Township, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 383 030
  • Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00

2. Money Changers around Sule Pagoda

Money Changers around Sule Pagoda Image credit: Paul Arps

Sule Pagoda, another must-see in downtown Yangon, is a landmark to find other competitive rate currency exchange shops of the city. These shops are situated along Anawrahta Road, from the corner of Sule Pagoda Road up to Telugu Methodist Church.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS

1) Moe Yan Exchange

  • Its location is 2 corners away from Barr Street Bus Stop which is a 8 minute walk from Sule Pagoda.
  • Address: No.112, Corner of Anawrahta Road & Pansodan Street, Kyauktadar Township, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 781 436110
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 18:00

2) Fame Money Changer

  • It is located across Grand Mart which is a 6 minute walk from Sule Pagoda.
  • Address: 152 Anawrahta Rd, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 790 141532
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00*
  • Exchange rates

3) PCL Money Changer

  • This shop is close to the interchange fronting Sule Square which is a 4 minute walk from Sule Pagoda.
  • Address: No.185,197, 33rd St, Anawrahta Rd, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 241 073
  • Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:00

3. Money Changers in Other Parts of Yangon

Money Changers in Other Parts of Yangon Image credit: PHK Money Changer

Central Yangon is definitely the most convenient place to buy the Kyats. But if you are not there at the time your wallet needs to be stocked up on local currency, you still can get it with little effort. Check out the recommended money changers below for one that is closest to you.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS

1) PHK Money Changer

  • This shop is located beside Myanmar Apex Bank which is a short walk from Maw Tin Bus Stop
  • Address: Kaing Dan St, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 516 3909
  • Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 20:00

2) Northern Breeze Currency Exchange

  • It is located next to Royal Thai Embassy
  • Address: Ma Naw Hari St., Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 516 9197
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 19:00
    Saturday & Sunday 08:30 – 17:00
  • Exchange rates

3) Moe Yan Exchange @ Shwedagon Pagoda

  • This shop is situated inside the complex of Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Address: Shwedagon Pagoda (South), Yangon 11201, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 9 797 002154
  • Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 20:00

4) Moe Yan Exchange @ Ahlon Road

  • Its location is across Word of Faith Church
  • Address: No.149, Corner of Ahlon Road & Ayarwady Road, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 230 0121
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 18:00

5) Treasure Phoenix Money Changer

  • This shop is close to Telenor Myanmar Building
  • Address: 390 Room 1, No. 1 Industrial Road In front of Central Bank, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: 09791634566
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00 (Opening hours may vary)

4. Bank Branches Near Tourist Areas in Yangon

Bank Branches Near Tourist Areas in Yangon Image credit: Yoma Bank

Changing currency at bank is always a safe option in Yangon. You can easily find a branch of the top banks of Myanmar in commercial and tourist areas like Bogyoke Aung San Market, Maha Bandula Park, and Central Railway Station.

Good news is that exchange booths operated by banks are also located at Yangon International Airport and their exchange rates do not differ from the rates at those branches in the city center.

RECOMMENDED BANK BRANCHES

1) Yoma Bank near Yangon Central Railway Station

  • This branch is just a short walk from the terminal
  • Address: No. 1, Kon Chan Street, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 242138/246547/249241
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:00 (Opening hours may vary)

2) KBZ bank @ Merchant Road

  • This branch is located across Maha Bandula Park
  • Address: No. 567, Corner of Merchant Street and Maha Bandula Park, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 249417
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:00
  • Exchange rates

3) Myanma Foreign Trade Bank near Maha Bandula Park

  • Its location is just across Maha Bandula Park
  • Address: Maha Bandula Park St, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 370 994
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:00
  • Exchange rates

4) AYA Bank near Yangon City Hall

  • This branch is situated on the eastern side of Yangon City Hall
  • Address: No. 416, Maha Bandula Road, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 252136
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:00
  • Exchange rates

5) United Amara Bank @ Bogyoke Aung San Market

  • This branch sits in front of East Bogyoke Aung San Market
  • Address: Room 17/18 Bo Gyoke Road, Yangon, Myanmar
  • Phone: +95 1 375 007
  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 15:00 (Opening hours may vary)
  • Exchange rates

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