Yuan, dirhams, Turkish lira: what is happening with these currencies in Moscow exchangers

exotic scarcity

The summer tourist season is rapidly approaching – and many tourists face the question: is it possible to buy cash in Russia in the currency of destination countries? It is clear that it is possible to “drive” the necessary amounts through the US dollars and euros familiar in the old days … But it is directly more profitable! What currencies and how freely you can buy in Moscow – found out “MK”.

A few years ago – for example, in the early 2010s – many metro stations in the city center had a specific type of money changers. Some even had trendy sites with a currency rate calculator. Alas: most of these sites are no longer working, and those that still exist are stuck forever in 2017-2018.

However, thanks to exchange rate aggregators, anyone can find out where the currencies of popular tourist countries are sold “drop by drop”. And picking up the phone – to clarify what stock of banknotes is in this “operating cash desk”.

So, the most “suggesting” of these currencies: the Turkish lira. Several dozens of active exchangers, selective ringing confirms: yes, you can buy. The stock of banknotes is different at different points, but it was not possible to find more than the equivalent of 10,000 rubles. Therefore, in order to buy a supply of lire sufficient for a tourist trip, you will have to bypass many exchange offices.

The next “candidate” is the Egyptian pound. Formally, it is available in two exchange offices in Moscow, but the ringing showed that there are actually no pounds. However, this is a good time to ask the question: why? The presence of Egyptian pounds, as the experience of those who have visited this country in recent months, is not so necessary for tourists. Although it is worth getting pounds if only to look at the pictures: banknotes are decorated with images of the most important monuments of Ancient Egypt. For exchange, it is not necessary to look for a bank branch: most hotels will gladly exchange dollars for local currency right at the reception desk. However, only those who intend to seriously and permanently leave the tourist districts will need pounds.

Well, in general, in Egypt they are very fond of the good old American dollars. And, since inflation in Egypt is quite severe (as, by the way, in Turkey!), in some places you can see prices in dollars – just like we had in Russia in the 90s: prices in USD. So you don’t have to worry: dollars from a tourist will be willingly taken almost everywhere, and at a normal rate. And the most useful banknote in practice during a holiday in Egypt is 1 dollar. They are useful for endless tips: the driver of the tour bus, maids and porters in hotels, etc.

Another exotic currency is the Thai baht. As of March 14, exactly three cash desks in Moscow had these banknotes in stock. One of them was the equivalent of $1,000 (yes, currency exchange specialists are also accustomed to cu!), the other was half as much, and the third amount was “quite a lot – how much do you need?”. The option to order cash, however, did not work: if you need a large amount, you will have to somehow contrive … Or, again, use “intermediate” currencies.

There are at least fifty exchangers that work with the Chinese yuan in Moscow – but you need to call and “interrogate” the tellers with special predilection about the availability of banknotes in each of them. About 1000 yuan (multiply by 10 and get rubles) is the norm, more serious amounts will have to be found.

The dirham of the United Arab Emirates is sold in a central place – on Tverskaya, 6. And in stock – a serious amount, much more than the equivalent of $ 1,000. It is understandable: a solid currency for respectable gentlemen.

Currencies of the near abroad are now sold much less actively than before (we are not talking about the hryvnia – but even Arabic drams can be found in only six exchangers in Moscow). The exception is the Belarusian ruble: it is sold, like the yuan, in dozens of exchange offices.

But what in Moscow, it seems, is not (officially) at all – these are Iranian rials. None of the bank’s exchange offices work with this currency. Because the sanctions against Iran have been in place for forty years. But you can find the necessary pieces of paper through advertisement sites: in the collecting section, banknotes are sold at a rate that is about half as bad as the central bank.

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28989 dated March 15, 2023

Newspaper headline:
How to exchange two baht