Tickets
Hotels
Tours
Insurance
TrainsWhy exchange rates in Pattaya vary so much
If you thought currency rates were the same everywhere, Pattaya will quickly change your mind. The difference even between neighboring windows on the same street can reach 1–2%, and on a $1000 exchange that's $10–20, or roughly 300–600 baht (17.86 USD). Why? Many points operate as sub-agents and buy currency from larger players, adding their own markup. Somewhere the markup is slightly higher – the rate is worse. Somewhere the customer flow is smaller – they have to attract with price. We believe the best way not to overpay is to know a few reliable spots with transparent pricing.
The rate in Pattaya, like everywhere in Thailand, depends on the global market, but the exchange office's margin is its own business. Banks usually give worse rates than specialized exchange points, so we don't consider them.
Top 4 exchange offices with the best rates
We chose these four places because we've tested them multiple times at different times of day and on different days. In our opinion, this is the best balance between favorable rates, convenient location, and service speed. Two are major chains, and two are small spots known mainly to experienced tourists.
1. T.T. Exchange – our top favorite
This is the chain we recommend first. They have many branches across Pattaya, and the rate is consistently higher than banks and most private exchange offices. Even between their own branches, the rate can differ. For example, when exchanging $1000, the difference could be 50–100 baht (1.49–2.98 USD). Is it worth running around the city for that? You decide.
Always check the rate on their official website https://ttexchange.com/ before exchanging. There's also a branch map. We usually check and compare with neighboring exchange offices. A difference of 1 baht per dollar when exchanging $100 means a loss of 100 baht (2.98 USD). It happens sometimes. But overall, T.T. is our baseline from which we start our search.
Bonus: T.T. Exchange accepts old dollars (without the blue strip) at the same rate as new ones, if the bills are in perfect condition. This is rare in Pattaya.
2. Superrich – new spots in Pattaya (are they worth it)
In 2026, branches of the famous Superrich exchange chains opened in Pattaya – both networks (green and orange). We personally checked them and compared them with T.T. Exchange. Here's where they are:
- Green Superrich – in central Pattaya, at Central Pattaya mall (formerly Central Festival) on the first floor, near the Hilton hotel entrance (open on map). You can check the rate online on the Green Superrich website – select the branch Central Pattaya 1st Floor (Nearby Hilton Hotel Lobby).
- Orange Superrich – in north Pattaya, at Terminal 21 mall, open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (open on map). Check the current rate on the Orange Superrich website – select the branch Terminal 21 Pattaya (SuperRich Partner).
Honestly, their rates are no higher than local T.T. Exchange, and sometimes even slightly lower. So you don't need to specifically look for Superrich – you'll get the same good rate at a nearby T.T. branch. But if you're already near these malls, you can compare rates on the spot and choose the better one. We always compare – sometimes a 0.1–0.2 baht difference is in favor of one network or the other. We include them in the list because they're reliable points with transparent policies.
3. Exchange office near Rom Pho Market (Jomtien) – hidden champion
This exchange office is right at the entrance to Rom Pho Market in the Jomtien area (open on map). No flashy sign, but experienced tourists know it well. We've seen rates here even higher than at T.T. – by 0.1–0.3 baht per dollar. Seems small, but on a $1000 exchange, that's 100–300 baht (8.93 USD) in savings.
Downside – only open until evening (usually until 6:00 PM) and not always on Sundays. But if you're staying in Jomtien or planning a trip to the market, definitely stop by – you might be pleasantly surprised.
4. Cash & Go Exchange (Pratumnak) – another secret spot
The second spot that often offers above-average rates is Cash & Go exchange in the Pratumnak area. open on map. We stumbled upon it by accident and have been checking periodically since – 7 out of 10 times, the rate there is higher than at T.T. at that moment. Open daily, but until 8:00 PM.
We can't guarantee it will always be better there – the situation changes. But if you're in Pratumnak, drop by and compare with the current T.T. rate (check on their website). Sometimes it gives a nice bonus to your budget.
Bonus: where to exchange money profitably right upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Most tourists arrive in Pattaya via Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). And the first thing many do is exchange money right in the arrivals area. That's a mistake – the rate there is 1–2 baht per dollar lower. It's much better to go down to the lower floor, near the Airport Rail Link station. There are several exchange offices there with rates that compete with the best city rates. Follow the signs to the train to the city – and you'll find them. We've prepared a detailed guide with photos on how to find these exchange offices in a separate article – read here →
Our hack: Before going to any exchange office, we always open the T.T. Exchange website and check their rate. That's our benchmark. If another exchange office's rate is no worse than T.T. – we exchange there. If not – we go to T.T.
Which currency to bring and what to do with old dollars
We've already done a detailed calculation in the complete guide to money in Pattaya, and the conclusion is clear: cash dollars are the most profitable. Euros and yuan are slightly behind, while rubles are the worst option (loss up to 10% compared to dollars).
As for old dollars (without the blue security strip) – in Pattaya, you can exchange them without problems if the bills are in perfect condition: no wear, folds, markings, or stamps. T.T. Exchange accepts them at the same rate as new ones. At small exchange offices, the rate may be 0.1–0.5 baht lower, but that's not critical. The main thing – take bills in denominations of 50 or 100 dollars; small bills are exchanged at a worse rate.
What to avoid when exchanging
We've identified three main mistakes tourists make:
- Exchanging money at banks – the rate is always worse than at street exchange offices. The exception is if you're at the airport and need to exchange urgently. But even there, on the lower floor (near Airport Rail Link), there are exchange offices with city rates.
- Exchanging cash rubles – loss up to 3000 baht (89.3 USD) on every 100,000 rubles. We've tested this in practice. Better buy dollars at home.
- Using private money changers from Telegram and Facebook – scams are, unfortunately, common. "ATM transfer" without a code, "courier with cash" – classic rip-offs. Only use licensed exchange offices.
Important: If you need an FET certificate (for buying property) or want to withdraw cryptocurrency, contact Russian-speaking exchange offices SenateExchange or Ex24Pro. They're legal, but the cash rate there is lower than at T.T. – that's the price for specific services.
We've prepared a handy table so you can quickly compare our favorites:
| Exchange office | Area | Rate (relative to T.T.) | Old dollars | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.T. Exchange | Throughout the city | Baseline (benchmark) | ✔ Accepted at the same rate | 09:00–21:00 (varies by branch) |
| Superrich (green/orange) | Central Pattaya, Terminal 21 | Often slightly lower than T.T. | ✔ Accepted, but may have nuances | 10:00–20:00 (at malls) |
| Rom Pho Market | Jomtien | Sometimes 0.1–0.3 baht higher than T.T. | ✔ Accepted, rate may be lower | Until 18:00, weekdays |
| Cash & Go | Pratumnak | Often 0.1–0.2 baht higher than T.T. | ✔ Accepted, check on site | Until 20:00, daily |
Final advice: Don't chase the perfect rate if you're exchanging a small amount (under $200). A difference of a few dozen baht isn't worth your time and motorbike fuel. But for large amounts – our ranking will definitely come in handy.
We hope our experience helps you save money and feel more confident in Pattaya. If you know other profitable spots – write in the comments, we'd be happy to expand the list.
And if you need even more detailed information about all payment methods, cards, cryptocurrency, and an expense calculator – be sure to check out our complete guide to money and currency in Pattaya. We've covered everything down to the smallest detail there.