Jakarta Airport: is there a good exchange rate? help!

Hi, as I have to change about 2000 euros in one time only (for a west papua trip), I'd like to know if there is a good exchange rate at Jakarta Airport. Maybe is it better I will reach some other places out Airport? I hope to get some precise news. Thanks

at terminal 2 there are 3 small exchange booths side by side in the hall where is also a left luggage. Depends which door you get out you have to look from one end to the other. Last year the rate was almost the same as on oanda.com.

I will be at International Airport (flight from Europe). Thanks for your news.

Check the rate here: www.centralkutabali.com or www.balibestrate.com & then bargain with the money changers at the airport for this rate. You're changing a reasonable amount & the airport forex will not want to lose out. Another forum member here advised me years ago.

As #1. You need to weave in and out of the various entrances/exits of Terminal 2 to locate the exchange booth which offers the best rate.
Are you arriving at Terminal 2 and transitting directly from your international arrival to your domestic departure?
With EUR 2,000 you can bargain a bit.

I don't know in wich Terminal I will be at International Airport because I will buy the ticket in some days. But I can tell you my flight will arrive from Europe and will go to West Papua (it is indonesia island). I think it will be a domestic departure.

All Garuda domestic & international routes now use Terminal 3. A few international airlines have also moved to T3.

What I ask is not what is the exance rate at Airport. Only I ask what is the differences (around)of exanche rate between Airport and out of Airport.

The difference depends on your bargaining skills. I can get a good rate because I bargain. If you don't know the going rate, how can you bargain successfully.

There is a Bank Mandiri branch at Terminal 3 where you'll probably get a better rate than with other moneychangers.

I thank you for your precious news.

You will be getting about 31 million rupiah in most likely 100,000 notes. Thats' over 300 notes. Be very careful carrying those around, the Jakarta airport is full of scammers and pick pockets. I even had a problem with the airport security last year as they tried to take my cheap watch, claiming I couldnt prove it was mine.

If at all, possible, try to pay some of your accomodation or dive payments by credit card, and have good travel insurance. Also, watch the people changing your money like a hawk. Indonesia money changers are notorious scammers..

In the vast majority of places, the airport rate will not be as good as the downtown rate. In some places, notably Western and Eastern Europe and Malaysia airport rates are a huge rip-off, whereas in other places the airport rates are usually 2-3% worse than downtown rates. In some airports (Thailand) the different money changers will have highly different rates. In Bangkok the good money changer which gives you a much better rate is hidden in the basement at Suvarnabhumi airport. The ones most visible will always have the worst rates. In other airports they have a cartel and all changers have the same rate.
The only airport I have ever seen in my life that had better rates at the airport than downtown was Mexico City. I have not been to Jakarta.

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