Travel Money in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, and Beyond

Southeast Asia is the world’s most popular budget travel region, and its payment landscape is the most diverse on the planet — from nearly cashless Singapore to almost entirely cash-based Myanmar. Understanding the money norms in each country is essential to avoiding excessive ATM fees, poor exchange rates, and the inconvenience of being caught without local currency.

Thailand: Cash is Still King

Thailand is the most visited country in Southeast Asia, and its payment infrastructure reflects the tension between tourism-driven modernization and traditional cash culture. Shopping malls, international hotel chains, upscale restaurants, and major retailers in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket accept cards. Outside these environments, cash is essential.

Street food, local markets, songthaews (shared taxis), tuk-tuks, small guesthouses, and independent shops almost universally require cash. Even in Bangkok, some excellent local restaurants remain cash-only.

Thai ATMs charge a flat THB 220 (approximately USD 6) per withdrawal for foreign cards, which is among the highest ATM fees in the world. This fee applies at all major bank ATMs. Aeon Bank ATMs, located inside Aeon shopping centres, charge THB 150 — the lowest in the country — and are worth seeking out. Withdraw THB 20,000–30,000 per withdrawal to dilute the fixed fee. Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) ATMs allow withdrawals up to THB 30,000 per transaction, whereas most other banks cap at THB 20,000.

Carry THB 2,000–5,000 in cash and replenish with large withdrawals from bank ATMs during business hours. Always decline the DCC prompt at ATMs. Exchange booths in tourist areas offer competitive rates for major currencies in physical cash — the SuperRich chain is consistently among the best — making it worth bringing some clean, undamaged USD or EUR notes to exchange if you want to avoid ATM fees entirely.

Vietnam: Cash Dominant

Vietnam remains a predominantly cash economy. International hotels, high-end restaurants, and major retailers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi accept cards. Everywhere else — from pho street stalls to local markets to regional buses — you need Vietnamese dong.

ATMs are widely available with fees of VND 30,000–60,000 (approximately USD 1.20–2.40) per withdrawal. Withdrawal limits vary by bank: VPBank and TPBank allow VND 5,000,000–10,000,000 per transaction, while others may cap at VND 2,000,000–3,000,000. Higher withdrawal limits per transaction mean fewer fees. Some ATMs in tourist areas of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 and Hanoi’s Old Quarter do not charge a local fee, though your home bank’s fees still apply.

Carry VND 1,000,000–2,000,000. US dollars are accepted at some tourist-oriented businesses but at variable and often poor exchange rates. Pay in dong whenever possible.

Indonesia (Bali and Beyond)

Bali’s tourist south — Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud — has become increasingly card-friendly. Most restaurants, cafes, spas, tour operators, and shops catering to international visitors accept cards. Outside these areas, and everywhere else in Indonesia, cash in Indonesian rupiah is essential.

ATMs in Bali charge IDR 25,000–50,000 (approximately USD 1.50–3) per withdrawal. BCA and Mandiri ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards. Withdrawal limits are typically IDR 1,250,000–3,000,000 per transaction depending on the bank. Some ATMs only dispense IDR 50,000 notes, fewer of which fit in the cash tray, so the withdrawal limit is lower at those machines.

Carry IDR 500,000–1,000,000. Outside Bali, carry more. Money changers in Bali require caution: use authorized money changers (look for the “Authorized Money Changer” sign issued by Bank Indonesia), count your money carefully, and avoid changers offering rates significantly above the market.

Malaysia: Cards and E-Wallets

Malaysia is more card-friendly than its northern neighbours. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and other cities have widespread card acceptance at shopping malls, chain restaurants, hotels, and larger retailers. Contactless is common. Touch ‘n Go eWallet is the dominant local mobile payment system, used by Malaysians for everything from highway tolls to street food — but it requires a Malaysian phone number to set up.

Cash is needed for street food, night markets (pasar malam), rural areas, local buses, and small independent shops. ATMs typically charge no local fee, though your home bank may charge. CIMB, Maybank, and Public Bank ATMs are widely available.

Carry MYR 200–400. Ringgit is a closed currency, meaning it cannot be exchanged outside Malaysia in significant quantities. Withdraw upon arrival.

Singapore: Almost Entirely Cashless

Singapore is one of the most cashless societies in the world. Cards are accepted at hawker centres (the iconic open-air food courts), taxis, public transport, convenience stores, and nearly every business. PayNow and PayLah are the dominant mobile payment systems used by locals, but visitors can rely entirely on cards and contactless payments.

Cash is useful for the small minority of hawker stalls that have not adopted electronic payments — check for the SGQR code before ordering. Some older taxi drivers prefer cash, but Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber equivalent) lets you pay by card through the app.

Carry SGD 50–100, mostly as a formality.

Cambodia: A Two-Currency System

Cambodia uses a dual-currency system that is unique in Southeast Asia. US dollars circulate freely alongside Cambodian riel, with USD used for larger transactions (hotels, tours, nicer restaurants) and riel for small purchases (street food, tuk-tuks, markets). Prices are often quoted in dollars, but change under USD 1 is given in riel at an informal rate of approximately 4,000 riel per dollar.

ATMs dispense USD in most tourist areas, with fees of USD 4–6 per withdrawal. Canadia Bank and ABA Bank ATMs are reliable. Withdrawal limits are typically USD 500–1,000 per transaction. Some ATMs also dispense riel, but if you have dollars, you will naturally accumulate riel as change. Bring clean, undamaged USD notes in small denominations; dollar notes with tears, marks, or excessive wear are often rejected by Cambodian businesses.

Carry USD 100–200 in mixed denominations.

The Philippines: Cash Plus GCash

The Philippines is a cash-heavy country with pockets of digital adoption. Manila, Cebu, and other major cities have good card acceptance at malls, chain restaurants, and hotels. Outside urban centres, cash is essential. GCash, a mobile wallet, is widely used locally but requires a Philippine phone number.

ATMs charge PHP 200–250 (approximately USD 3.50–4.50) per withdrawal for foreign cards. BDO and BPI ATMs are the most reliable. Withdrawal limits are typically PHP 10,000–20,000 per transaction.

Carry PHP 2,000–5,000. In remote areas, carry significantly more, as ATMs may be scarce.

Common Money Mistakes in Southeast Asia

The most expensive mistake is making multiple small ATM withdrawals in countries with high fixed fees. A THB 220 fee on a THB 2,000 withdrawal is an 11% cost. The same fee on a THB 20,000 withdrawal is 1.1%. Withdraw the maximum amount each time.

Another common error is relying entirely on cards in cash-heavy destinations. In Vietnam, Cambodia, and rural Indonesia, you need cash, and the nearest ATM might be an hour away. Plan your cash needs before leaving urban centres.

A third mistake is not checking the condition of your physical banknotes before bringing them to exchange. In Cambodia, Myanmar, and to some extent Vietnam, currency exchangers and businesses reject torn, marked, or excessively worn USD notes. Bring crisp, new notes in good condition.

Bottom Line

Southeast Asia requires more cash management than any other travel region. Arrive with multiple payment methods, withdraw large amounts at bank ATMs during business hours, always decline DCC, and carry more cash than you think you need outside major cities. In Singapore and urban Malaysia, you can rely heavily on cards. Everywhere else, cash is still king.

Last updated: July 2026. ATM fees, withdrawal limits, and card acceptance change frequently. The information above reflects typical conditions in mid-2026 and individual ATMs or businesses may differ. Exchange rates are approximate. This does not constitute financial advice.