Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# changing currency Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tonga
camus63 01:33 UTC 21 Aug 2008 | Hi is it best to change money at home (enzed) or In Tonga? It didn't seem to be a very good deal in town today compared to the rate on the web, so am, thinking about changing my money there. |
raro 07:45 UTC 21 Aug 2008 | Forget the rates on the web, yu'll never get close to those. I changed at AKL and got a decent rate, but I think it was a little better on arrival on Tonga, but not all that different. You could always get a couple of hundred in advance, then use your ATM card once there. ATM's have a good rate. However, sometimes your card company will charge a fee per transaction, check on this before you go. | 1
camus63 07:54 UTC 21 Aug 2008 | thankyou | 2
harry_mudd 01:01 UTC 22 Aug 2008 | I always got good rates at Western Union in Nuku'alofa. Then again, I got the same good rates from a certain club I frequented. Follow Raro's advice, is my advice. | 3
onoiki 07:44 UTC 22 Aug 2008 | Absolute best way to change money is through using your Debit or Credit card at the ATMs in Tonga. They will dispense local Paánga (TOP$) and there is a nominal charge for using the machine depending on your Bank's fee schedules, but the exchange rate will be the best you can get for the day you get the money out. This will also cut out the commission that over the counter ex-change services charge. If you insist on bringing Foreign Exchange cash to Tonga then use the Western Union office to change your money as the Banks charge a flat rate, plus commission and a lousy rate to boot! ATMs in Tonga can take Visa, Mastercard and Cirrus cards. | 4