Quick answer: For a wallet-friendly trip or a big overseas transfer, these are the currency exchange spots we actually use: Arcade Money Changers at Raffles Place for tight mid-city rates, YouTrip and Wise for fuss-free digital spending, Mustafa Foreign Exchange for late-night or rare currency runs, and Airwallex if you are running a business. There is a good fit here whether you want to lock in a rate on your phone or just walk in with a stack of cash.
Arcade Money Changers
Right in the belly of Raffles Place, on the ground floor of The Arcade, this is the changer many of us grew up visiting for holiday cash. They handle all the usual majors—USD, EUR, GBP, MYR, JPY—and they do it fast. What keeps the crowd coming back is the online rate reservation: you check the day’s rate on their site, lock it in, then collect the cash in person. No last-minute sian when the rate moves against you.
They also run a discreet remittance service and can issue cheques, so if you are wiring money overseas for property or investments, they can sort you out without a bank’s markup. The team has been at this long enough to make the process feel almost automatic, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore has recognised their compliance standards. For anyone working in the CBD, this is the one you chope on a lunch break.
Address: 11 Collyer Quay, #01-18 The Arcade, Singapore 049317
Phone: +65 6223 0753
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–6pm, Sat 9:30am–2:30pm, closed Sun & public holidays
Website: https://www.arcademoneychangers.com.sg/
YouTrip
If you would rather tap a card than queue at a counter, YouTrip is a shiok little travel companion. It is a free app-based wallet that gives you wholesale exchange rates on 12 currencies—USD, EUR, MYR, and others—and you can lock in a rate any time. The physical card works in over 150 currencies overseas, and you get up to S$400 of free ATM withdrawals each month, which is plenty for grabbing taxi cash or hawker money in Bangkok.
There is no need to visit a shop. Everything lives on your phone, and the support line runs 9am to 9pm daily if anything goes sideways. It won Best Multi-Currency Wallet at the Singapore FinTech Awards, and you will see why the first time you check your statement and notice the numbers just make sense.
Address: App-based; office at 1 Raffles Place, #20-01, Singapore 048616
Phone: +65 6909 9999
Hours: 24/7 app access; support daily 9am–9pm
Website: https://www.you.co/sg/
No one bought a spot on this list. If we have overlooked you, say so and we will consider it next time round.
Once you have sorted your travel cash, you might also enjoy our Sukiyaki Experiences in Singapore—because what is a trip without a good meal at the other end?
Yakadir Enterprises
Tucked into Parkway Parade on the East Coast, Yakadir has been a steady hand in currency exchange for over thirty years. They run a tight counter with USD, MYR, THB, and JPY always ready, and they will also arrange remittance and delivery if you are sending money rather than carrying it. The difference here is the willingness to sit down and talk through a larger exchange—something you cannot get from an app. Plenty of long-time Marine Parade residents trust them for big-ticket swaps because the rates stay sharp and the advice is genuine.
Address: 80 Marine Parade Road, #01-16B Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269
Phone: +65 6344 9652 | +65 6344 9716
Hours: Daily 10:15am–6:30pm
Website: https://yakadir.com/
Wise
Wise is the no-nonsense fintech option for anyone who transfers money across borders regularly or manages overseas accounts. They use the real mid-market rate—the one you see on Google—and add a small transparent fee, which usually beats what banks charge by a wide margin. You get multi-currency account details in 50+ currencies, a debit card for global spending, and a platform that does the maths for you without sneaky markups.
It is an online-only affair with Singapore-based support on weekdays, and it has picked up FinTech awards globally for good reason. If you are the sort who checks XE.com before every transaction, this will feel like a natural upgrade. Not for the auntie who just needs 500 ringgit before a coach ride, but perfect for freelancers, investors, or anyone with a second home abroad.
Address: Online-only; Singapore office at 2 Tanjong Katong Rd, #07-01, PLQ 3, Singapore 437161
Phone: +65 3163 7288
Hours: 24/7 platform; support Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Website: https://wise.com/sg/card/
Airwallex
Built for business owners rather than holidaymakers, Airwallex cuts the fat out of cross-border payments. It handles over 23 currencies, issues multi-currency accounts and corporate cards, and can slash your foreign exchange fees by up to 80 percent compared to a traditional bank. If you are running an e-commerce shop, importing goods, or paying overseas freelancers, this platform keeps more of your revenue where it belongs.
The setup is online-first, with a Singapore office near Robinson Road, and support available on weekdays. It picked up innovation nods at Singapore FinTech Festival, and the clients who rely on it tend to talk about it the way others talk about their accountant—quietly grateful it just works.
Address: 30 Cecil Street #19-08, Prudential Tower, Singapore 049712
Phone: +65 3158 9898
Hours: 24/7 platform; support Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
Website: https://www.airwallex.com/sg
Mustafa Foreign Exchange
The one you go to when you realise at 11pm that you need Indian rupees for tomorrow morning’s flight. Mustafa Foreign Exchange inside Mustafa Centre is open daily till 2am, and it handles a dizzying range of currencies—INR, BDT, PKR sit alongside USD, EUR, and MYR. They also deal in gold and run a remittance counter, so it is a proper go-to for the South Asian community and anyone chasing a rare banknote.
High-volume trades sometimes go through without a fee, which is a nice touch if you are moving serious sums. It is not the quietest spot—you are inside Mustafa, after all—but the opening hours alone make it a lifesaver. The Singapore Tourism Board has given them a nod for visitor service, and plenty of us have our own stories of sprinting there before a last-minute trip.
If you are looking for more money-exchange options, we have a guide to Singapore&# ;s Elite Currency Sanctuaries that goes deeper.
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Mustafa Centre, Level 1, Singapore 207704
Phone: +65 6419 0505
Hours: Daily 9:30am–2am
Website: https://www.mustafa.com.sg/
Crante Money Changer
People’s Park Complex is packed with changers, but Crante has earned its reputation by taking care of the big Asian-currency runs. CNY, HKD, MYR, PHP—these are their bread and butter, and the rates improve noticeably if you are exchanging a large sum. They will negotiate a custom rate lock for you, which is not something every counter offers willingly.
The counter stays open daily until 9pm, which is generous for Chinatown, and they handle remittances alongside spot exchanges. The Association of Banks in Singapore has commended their ethical practices, so you know the paperwork is proper. For regional investors and anyone needing a substantial stack for a holiday home or business, this is where you head.
Address: 1 Park Road, #01-28 People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108
Phone: +65 6532 5008
Hours: Daily 9am–9pm
Website: https://cashchanger.co/singapore/mc/crante-money-changer/10
Rabi Trading
Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road is a familiar hunting ground for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers sending money home, and Rabi Trading is one of the counters that consistently delivers. They deal heavily in PHP, MYR, IDR, and THB, and one thing that sets them apart is the stash of smaller denomination notes—useful if you want 50,000 rupiah notes for ang pow or market spending instead of big bills nobody can break.
They also offer forward contracts and integrated remittance, so there is a plan for both the immediate weekend trip and the monthly support transfer. The shop has been recognised by the Singapore Business Review for customer satisfaction, and the Orchard location means you can sort your holiday cash between shopping bags.
Address: 304 Orchard Road, #01-37 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
Phone: +65 6732 9580
Hours: Daily 9am–7pm
Website: https://cashchanger.co/singapore/mc/rabi-trading/55
No one bought a spot on this list. If we have overlooked you, say so and we will consider it next time round.
How to choose
Start with what you are actually doing. If you need physical banknotes for a holiday this week, a walk-in counter with good rate transparency—Arcade, Yakadir, Mustafa, Crante, or Rabi—makes sense. Check their opening hours against your schedule, and for big sums call ahead to ask if they can lock a rate. If you are spending abroad often and mainly use cards, YouTrip and Wise let you convert in-app at rates close to wholesale, saving the hassle of queuing. Airwallex is in a different lane altogether: it exists for businesses handling cross-border payments, invoices, and corporate card spend.
Pay attention to fees, not just the headline rate. Digital providers tend to be upfront about their cut—Wise shows you the exact markup, YouTrip builds it into the locked rate. Traditional changers display a buy-sell spread; the tighter that gap, the better the deal. For large transactions (think S$10,000 and up), ask a counter like Crante or Rabi if they can do a custom rate—you will often get a meaningful improvement.
Currency availability is another filter. Not every changer keeps Nepalese rupees or Bangladeshi taka on hand; Mustafa is the best bet for rare Asian and South Asian currencies. For the usual holiday suspects—ringgit, baht, yen, euros—any of the CBD and East Coast options will have stock. Expect rates to move through the day, so if you are holding out for a particular number, set an alert on an app like XE and be ready to move fast.
Comparison table
| Name | Type | Best for | Notable feature | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcade Money Changers | Physical counter | CBD workers, large cash exchanges | Online rate reservation | Mon–Fri 9:30am–6pm, Sat 9:30am–2:30pm |
| YouTrip | App + card | Frequent travellers, card spend overseas | Free ATM withdrawals up to S$400/month | 24/7; support 9am–9pm daily |
| Yakadir Enterprises | Physical counter | East Coast residents, remittance | Over 30 years of stability, personal consultation | Daily 10:15am–6:30pm |
| Wise | Online platform | International transfers, multi-currency accounts | Mid-market rate with no hidden markup | 24/7; support Mon–Fri 9am–5pm |
| Airwallex | Online platform | Businesses, cross-border payments | Up to 80% FX fee reduction vs banks | 24/7; support Mon–Fri 9am–6pm |
| Mustafa Foreign Exchange | Physical counter | Late-night exchanges, rare currencies | Open until 2am, gold dealings | Daily 9:30am–2am |
| Crante Money Changer | Physical counter | Large Asian-currency exchanges, remittance | Custom rate negotiations for big sums | Daily 9am–9pm |
| Rabi Trading | Physical counter | Orchard shoppers, small notes for travel | Forward contracts, smaller denomination notes | Daily 9am–7pm |
Summary
There is no single best changer in Singapore—just the right one for your wallet and your calendar. Arcade and the CBD counters give you old-school reliability and rate locks; YouTrip and Wise put travel money on your phone with minimal fuss; Mustafa saves the day after dark; and Airwallex keeps businesses running lean. Match the option to the moment, and you will leave less on the exchange board.
Disclaimer: All details, including rates and operating hours, were accurate at the time of writing but can change without notice. Please confirm directly with the business before making a trip or a transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Which currency exchange offers the best rates in Singapore?
It varies by currency, amount, and whether you walk in or use an app. Arcade Money Changers in Raffles Place consistently posts tight spreads for major currencies, while digital platforms like Wise use the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee. For large sums, counters like Crante and Rabi are known to negotiate a better rate if you ask.
Is it better to use a money changer or an app like YouTrip?
That depends on how you spend. YouTrip and Wise give near-wholesale rates and are convenient for card payments overseas, but you get limited free ATM withdrawals. A physical changer puts cash in your hand and can be preferable if you are heading to places where cash is still king.
Can I change rare currencies like Bangladeshi taka or Pakistani rupees in Singapore?
Yes, but your best bet is Mustafa Foreign Exchange. They keep a wide range of South Asian and Southeast Asian currencies in stock. Other changers may need advance notice, so call ahead.
What should I look out for when comparing money changer rates?
Check the buy-sell spread on their board—the smaller the gap, the better. For digital services, look at the total fee breakdown, not just the headline rate. And always confirm whether the displayed rate includes any commission or service charge.
Do any of these places operate 24 hours?
Mustafa Foreign Exchange is open daily until 2am, which is the closest you will get to round-the-clock service. All other physical counters close by 9pm at the latest, and digital platforms are accessible 24/7.
Are these changers regulated in Singapore?
Yes. All money changers and remittance providers in Singapore must be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Several on this list have also received industry awards or commendations for compliance and service standards.