Job Discussion Forums

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Just wondering if it is worth bringing travel cheques to Saudi, and whether they are easy to cash?

What about ATM machines. Are the usual cards affiliated to cirrus easy to use?

I think it will be difficult to buy rials in Canada prior to departure. Are dollars (u.s.) readily acceptable currency in Saudi?

Thank you.

Ghost

a_ibrahim · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 54 Location: ohio, usa

Perhaps others will have better information but I'd recommend using your debit card. Typically if it has the VISA logo on it you can use it just about anywhere. I don't think I'd want to deal with traveler's cheques or having to exchange foreign currency.

When we first went to KSA we used our debit card. It was a lot easier to deal with.

brasscat · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject: Take The Easy Route

The best route for currency exchange is go to Euros first. Then while you are at either your European stop or in Bahrain go from Euros to Riyals.

Best not to use credit cards overseas due to the add-on charges. Once you are in the KSA, you can get both debit and credit cards issued by the Saudi local bank.

Travelor's Cheques are not always accepted in the Middle East.
brasscat

007 · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Well, the best option is to bring cash with you, especially the dollar of Uncle Sam, it is accepted wherever you go in the magic kingdom. And you can get good exchange price compared to the VISA card in which you will be charged twice by your original bank and the host bank. Sometimes, the cash machine might not work properly, and you might loose your card inside the machine!
Travel cheques are accepted by some banks like the Saudi-British and the Saudi-Holand banks.

windstar · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 235

When I am out of Canada and need local currency, I simply use my debit card to withdraw cash from my chequing account. My bank charges five dollars for each transaction upto 1000 dollars and no other hidden fees (Royal Bank of Canada). I find it the cheapest conversion method and rate. It may work for you too. I look for Interact or Plus logos.

a_ibrahim · Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 54 Location: ohio, usa

The same goes for me. My bank charges 3 USD and the local bank in KSA doesn't charge any fees.

Also, some of my colleagues were not given the fixed rate when they exchanged their money. It can vary depending on how large the bills are. At least that has been my experience.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

US$ in cash or Euros. Travellers cheques are expensive and difficult to cash.

Banks are not the place to change foreign currency though they will usually take US$. Go to specialist foreign currency exchange for best rates, eg in Khobar Al Amoudi. In Jeddah go to the Balad where there are "Bureaux de Change"

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

I agree with windstar and a_ibrahim on this one. Carry only a minimal amount of cash (one hundred dollars or euros) and bring your debit card. Debit card machines are everywhere, and it is my understanding that you get the best rate over the last three days, so you are taking less of a chance on the exchange rate. Fees are very low for this. Besides, if you bring too much cash, you are just asking for trouble. Theft is MUCH more common over here than most people believe.

Forget the traveller's cheques. They are more trouble than they are worth.

Once you get your own account set up, you can easily and cheaply transfer money from one account to another in either direction.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If you do bring travellers' cheques to the Eastern Province make sure you remember to bring the official bank receipt from where you got them.

The jobsworth at the only place in Al-Khobar that will cash them refuses to do so unless you have that document.

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. U.S. dollars seem to be the way to go.

A pity that travel cheques seem to be more and more rare these days. I have always found them very safe and convenient, and when I was robbed in Costa Rica, in 1993 - easy to replace.

Thank you.

Ghost

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

if you bring in usd, make sure it is the newest version and completely unmarked

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In some countries I have experienced this aversion to used currency bills. In Bulgaria - where I live - it is almost impossible to change bills that are not in mint condition. I have never experienced this problem in Saudi Arabia.

brasscat · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: Nearby Places

I ran into the old money issue at the Al Safir Hotel in Bahrain.
Egypt is notorious for the old bill aversion.

The old bills were easy to counterfit and alot of the counterfit money is still floating around. Most of this is driven by the local banks refusing to accept old money for exchange.
brasscat

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

Just go to you local bank and order some Riyals (Barclays in the UK - 2, 3 days).

I did it. No probs.

Griff-James · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

How many Riyals should you take to Saudi?

I understand it will take a while before you can open a bank account.