Travel Tips

Changing Money at Beijing Airport

Changing Money in China: Beijing Airport

Beijing airport currency exchange

Quick advice: avoid it!

Unless you are changing a large sum of money, changing at the airport is a screw job. Actually, even then it’s still a ripoff. It typically is in many airports and border entries – changing money in Myanmar at the airport was a notable recent exception – because the rates are often bad or include a hefty commission. But in Beijing they add insult to injury and are not shy about it. “In order to serve you better” they charge you 60 yuan!

Remember this when you depart! If you have $10 worth of yuan left, either spend it in a duty-free shop, restaurant, or keep it as a souvenir, because if you hand it to a moneychanger, all you’ll get back is a receipt for your donation.

If you have a reliable place to change money in your departure city before coming to China, check the rate and go with that. If you have the fare to get into the city, give Bank of China a try.

Also, big spenders be aware (and for that matter foreign residents who have a lot of yuan piling up) the banks have a daily limit of $500 worth of yuan for a foreigner exchanging from yuan to US dollars. I had received a bit of cash from a magazine client during my trip and found this out at Bank of China. Fortunately, I did not attempt the exchange on my last day in country, and I was able to change the remainder the next day before my departure.

Kevin Revolinski

Author, travel writer/photographer, world traveler. Writes about travel, hiking, camping, paddling, and craft beer.

3 thoughts on “Changing Money at Beijing Airport

  • My girlfriend just bought a condo in China, and after that process, nothing in the financial sector there surprises me anymore. There are many ways to describe the process, and most of them involve the word “cluster.” It seems that business ethics are something foreigners do, and it’s quaint and mildly amusing.

    So I’m passing through for a couple of days (Shanghai not Beijing), and I’ll keep your advice in mind. I’m pretty sure I can buy a few yuan here in Taiwan before heading up to Shanghai, and I’ll only be there a couple of days at the longest.

    I appreciate the advice! Safe and prosperous travels to you.

    Reply
    • Good luck! I go back for a few days in October. I typically drink my way through them to make it easier. Sheesh. What a cluster-something.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Tips for China’s Chengdu Airport

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