Money Exchange

Can anyone tell me about getting money for Nepal? Is it easy to exchange US Dollars or Chinese RMB for Nepalese cash in Kathmandu? If so where are the best places to do this (best exchange rate)? Also is it possible to change US Dollars and Chinese RMB for Nepalese cash in Lhasa or Tibet on my way to Nepal? What about using US Dollars or Chinese RMB to buy things in Nepal?

Thanks for any info provided,

Nick

Hi Nick

I had no trouble changing US dollars and travelers checks in Thamel (Kathmandu). Exchange rates are pretty much the same. You are better off going to a number of places and asking for smaller notes as many places where you will stay/eat/shop etc will not be able to give change for big notes. Don't think you will be able to use US dollars many places. Send me an email if you have any other questions; michael.tegan@bigpond.com

Cheers
Tegan

USD is fine, I do not remember RMB quoted anywhere, it is not a freely exhangable currency. If you can exhange it abroad the rates are bad anyway.

Hi,
U.S.$ doller is very good also possible to Change Chainies Yen. But Here is good rate for 100 and 50 size doller not for small.
Cheers,

There are moneychangers coming out the wazoo in Kathmandu.
I was in Nepal earlier this week and the rates are:
Tribuhvan airport, NRS63 = US$1.
Kathmandu , NRS64.58 = US$1.
Pokhara, NRS64.04 = US$1.
There's a moneychanger cartel so the displayed rates are constant anywhere in the same town except for the airport.
I could get 65 to the dollar just by asking at some moneychangers. Also got 65 when changing money at grocery stores and other businesses. Didnt have to pay any commission.

The moneychangers can convert a laundry list of currencies but I dont recall if RMB is among them.

Best is to convert RMB in Tibet before entering Nepal. If flying from Lhasa do it there, else in Zangmu at the border if coming overland.

Even better is to get the minimum amount of RMB you need while in China or Tibet.