In Dubai, exchange houses are practically everywhere. They are available at airports, hotels, and shopping centers.
No matter where you go, exchanging your local currency for dirhams is a simple process as long as you have the required paperwork.
Exchanging foreign currency in Dubai – how does it work?
Almost every denomination of foreign currency may be exchanged in Dubai, according to visitdubai.com, the city’s official tourism website.
Although you may use your credit card to make purchases in the majority of locations in Dubai if it is accepted globally, it is always convenient to carry cash with you as some establishments may only accept cash payments.
These five locations in Dubai are where you may find authorized money exchange facilities:
Dubai International Airport Terminals 1,2, and 3, and at Dubai World Central (DWC) Airport.
Hotels
Malls
Supermarkets
Public markets
Tourists should also bear in mind that they must present some form of identification while exchanging money. This can be a copy of their passport or a national ID from their nation.
How does one find a currency exchange house?
Although exchange centers are typically located in public areas in Dubai, you might want to know which one is the nearest to you in case you ever find yourself in a position where cash is the only acceptable method of payment.
Use the “Visit Dubai” smartphone app to locate the closest exchange house instead of physically searching for one. It does this by detecting the user’s position. Here is how to apply it:
- Download the app first from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- After downloading the app, open the settings on your phone and give the Visit Dubai app permission to view your location.
- Register for the app by providing your full name, email address, and mobile number. You should also choose a password. Alternatively. Your Facebook, Twitter, or iCloud account can be used to log in.
- After that, go to the app’s main page and click the “Currency” link at the bottom of your phone’s screen.
Your location has now been made accessible, and the app will now display the exchange houses in the area.
You can use the app’s currency converter to determine the projected value of dirhams you will get based on how much foreign currency you currently have on hand. It is crucial to keep in mind that the currency converter on the app cannot accurately predict how much you will receive because it is based on the service fee of the exchange facility.
Can tourists use ATMs to withdraw money?
If your foreign bank has ATMs in the UAE, you can also use one of those. However, ATMs in the UAE also accept a variety of foreign credit cards and currency cards (forex cards).
It is crucial to keep in mind that there may be withdrawal and foreign exchange costs if you use an international card.