There's a particular kind of regret that hits you at an airport money changer. You're running late, the queue's moving, and you're trying to do mental maths on the spot to figure out if that rate is actually terrible or just a bit bad. Usually, it’s both.
Here's the thing — Singapore is the third-largest foreign exchange centre in the world, with over 240 licensed money changers island-wide. If you know where to go, you can walk away with rates that come close to the interbank mid-market figure. If you don't, you could end up paying tens (or hundreds!) more than you should.
This guide runs through six of the top spots for currency exchange in Singapore, covering what each is known for, approximate sample rates, and a few practical tips for getting the most out of your exchange.
A note on rates: The sample rates below are approximate competitive rates as of April 2026, based on the interbank mid-market rate. Physical money changers apply a small spread over this figure — typically 0.5 to 1.5% at competitive hubs. Always check CashChanger for live rates before heading out, as figures fluctuate daily.
01. The Arcade at Raffles Place
Best for: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, MYR — and most other major currencies
Ask any Singaporean where to get the top exchange rates, and you'll almost always hear the same answer: The Arcade. The building houses over 26 licensed money changers under one roof, making it Singapore's largest concentration of money changers in a single location. That density creates direct, visible competition — changers are effectively forced to price-match each other, which keeps rates tight.
The Arcade is located just steps from Raffles Place MRT Exit A, in the heart of Singapore's financial district. Well-regarded names inside include Arcade Money Changers (AMC SG), Arcade Plaza Traders, and City Money Changers. I try to arrive before 10.30am. The place gets packed during the office lunch rush, so visiting in the morning or after 2pm helps you avoid the queues.
If your schedule doesn't line up with their hours, AMC SG allows online rate booking via their website — place your order, receive confirmation within 30 minutes during business hours, and the rate is held until the next working day for in-person collection.
Sample rates (indicative, May 2026): 1 SGD ≈ 0.773 USD | 1 SGD ≈ 3.07 MYR | 1 SGD ≈ 0.661 EUR | 1 SGD ≈ 123 JPY
📍 Address: The Arcade, 11 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049317
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 10am – 5pm | Saturdays, 10am – 12.30pm | Closed Sun and public holidays
📞 Contact: 6223 0702
🌐 Website: arcademoneychangers.com.sg
02. Mustafa Foreign Exchange at Mustafa Centre
Best for: 24-hour access, INR, BHD, PKR, and other specialist currencies
Mustafa Foreign Exchange isn't just open late. It's Singapore's only 24/7 money changer, making it the go-to for last-minute exchanges before early morning flights, late-night arrivals, and weekend emergencies when banks are closed.
Beyond the hours, Mustafa stands out for its range. You'll find currencies like the Bangladeshi Taka, Pakistani Rupee, Bahraini Dinar, and Jordanian Dinar here — things that are genuinely hard to source elsewhere in Singapore. Mustafa also posts indicative daily rates on their website, so you can check before heading down.
One honest caveat: for mainstream currencies like USD and MYR, Mustafa's rates are solid but won't always beat The Arcade or People's Park Complex. Where they consistently win is availability and round-the-clock access. If it's 3am and you need cash, this is your spot.
Sample rates (indicative, May 2026): 1 SGD ≈ 0.770 USD | 1 SGD ≈ 3.06 MYR | 1 SGD ≈ 65.5 INR
📍 Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Level 1, Mustafa Centre, Singapore 207704
⏰ Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
🌐 Website: mustafa.com.sg
03. Crante Money Changer at People's Park Complex
Best for: CNY, HKD, MYR, and Southeast Asian currencies
Crante Money Changer is located right off Exit C of Chinatown MRT. You won't miss it. Look for the purple and yellow sign near the escalators and, more often than not, a visible queue in front.
Crante is the name that comes up most consistently for CNY and HKD exchanges. Their working hours run from 9am to 9pm daily, and the day's rates are listed on a board at the entrance. Bargaining is accepted here, especially for larger amounts — for S$1,000 and above, politely asking for an improved rate is standard practice and usually gets a result. I've queued here a few times before trips to Hong Kong, and the rates have consistently come in closer to mid-market than anywhere in my neighbourhood. Just be sure to bring cash.
Sample rates (indicative, May 2026): 1 SGD ≈ 5.31 CNY | 1 SGD ≈ 6.08 HKD | 1 SGD ≈ 3.07 MYR
📍 Address: #01-28 People's Park Complex, 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108
⏰ Opening hours: Daily, 9am – 9pm
📞 Contact: 6532 5008
🌐 Website: facebook.com/p/Crante-Money-Changer-100057309286518
04. Rabi Trading and Rahiman Trading at Lucky Plaza
Best for: PHP, THB, and Orchard-area convenience
Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road is home to Singapore's largest Filipino community hub for currency exchange, creating specialised demand for Philippine Peso (PHP) rates.
Rabi Trading at #01-37 is one of the more popular counters here, known for competitive rates on PHP, USD, and THB. Rahiman Trading at #B1-10 is another solid pick, with exchange rates available in person and by phone, and they're open seven days a week.
One practical note: Lucky Plaza money changers generally don't use electronic rate boards, so you'll need to ask staff directly for quotes. Scout out two or three counters before committing. The rates do vary.
Sample rates (indicative, May 2026): 1 SGD ≈ 44.5 PHP | 1 SGD ≈ 26.3 THB | 1 SGD ≈ 0.773 USD
📍 Address: 304 Orchard Road, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
⏰ Opening hours: Most counters open daily, 9am – 7:30pm (hours vary per counter; some close briefly on Friday afternoons)
05. Great Exchange & Trading
Best for: East Coast residents; USD, MYR, JPY
Not every trip to change money needs to be a full expedition. For those living in the east, Marine Parade is the practical answer. Great Exchange & Trading is a familiar face in the area, offering a range of currencies and operating every day of the week.
Rates here are competitive for major currencies and typically land slightly behind The Arcade. For smaller exchanges (say, under S$500), the difference is minimal enough that the convenience of not trekking to the CBD easily makes up for it.
Sample rates (indicative, May 2026): 1 SGD ≈ 0.768 USD | 1 SGD ≈ 3.05 MYR | 1 SGD ≈ 122 JPY
📍 Address: 83 Marine Parade Central, #01-570, Singapore 440083
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 9:30am – 8:30pm | Sun, 10am – 6.30pm
📞 Contact: 6348 2166
06. Thin Margin (online, with home delivery)
Best for: Skipping the queue entirely
Thin Margin is Singapore's first 24/7 online money changer, fully licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The concept is simple: order your currency on their website, pay via PayNow or bank transfer, choose a delivery slot, and a courier brings sealed, counted cash to your door.
Thin Margin delivers to most of mainland Singapore in 3-hour windows, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Free delivery applies on orders of S$2,000 and above, with a $3 delivery fee for orders below that. There's a minimum order of S$400. They cover 24 currencies, including AUD, CNY, EUR, GBP, JPY, MYR, THB, and USD.
Their rates are roughly in line with what you'd find at a CBD, which puts them consistently ahead of neighbourhood changers and airport options. I've used them twice when I remembered too late in the evening that I needed cash for an early afternoon departure.
⏰ Operating hours: 24/7 online | Deliveries Mon to Sat, 9am – 5pm
🌐 Website: thinmargin.com
(Feature photo from: Dollars and Sense)
