What money to bring??
I will be in Doha next week and have read that travellers' cheques are a hassle. What currency should one bring then in cash? USD$ or Euros? Where would one exchange the money - at the airport or only at a bank? Alternatively should one just use the credit card and draw money at an ATM rather and that way get QR's? On my last trip to Canada that is what I did instead of taking foreign currency with me.
Your advice would be appreciated.
All the exchange bureaus have the same rate: 3.64, ie for $100 you get QR 364.
The banks offer 3.63 or so.
Tell a cab to take you to Al Sadd street, opposite Q-Tel. There 2 exchange bureaus ther, Al Sadd Exchange and Al Jazeera Exchange.
which one of these two give better rates? and can you recommend a good exchange house that offer the best rates based on your own experiences? i'm flying in on sunday.
Hi sa_japie
Apologies for being so bad about replying to your mails.... the address I had isn't working anymore for some reason, so not receiving mail there.
You won't be able to get Qatari Riyal in South Africa. You have no option to change to US$ first and then change it here into Riyal.
For $1000 you will get about 3 650 QR.
Hope this helps.
X
Thanks for the advice everybody. Qatari - you are right about the ZAR - in fact ANY other currency at the moment would be better, except perhaps the ZIM $!! I will try to get hold of some QR's, but I think thaey will be very scarce here though. I will ask my bank today if they can get some for me. I will not be using my credit card at all then.
Its better to bring in US dollars. at least try to bring some qatar rials and the rest in dollars. You will alwys get a better rate in the exchange houses than banks. Also hotels and malls charge you more .
The easiest thing to change here are US Dollars. You can get away with Euro's or British Pounds too.
Travellers cheques are more hassle than they are worth..
(and plus the way your South African Rand is tanking it's probably well worth it to have some dollars!)
Dollars or Euros are fine. You'll find many exchange outlets. The only place NOT to exchange your money is at hotels as their rate is so low.
Exchange bureaus give you abetter rate than banks.
Don't go the credit card route if you can help it as their charges are exorbitant.