Travelling to Malaysia calls for a bit of planning when it comes to money: between the night markets, the street food and card payments in the city, it pays to know where cash still rules. Here's how to prepare your Malaysian ringgit (MYR) from Paris.
The Malaysian ringgit (MYR) in brief
The official currency of Malaysia is the ringgit, abbreviated as RM and coded MYR. One ringgit is divided into 100 sen. You'll mostly handle notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 RM, in bright colours that are easy to tell apart once you're there. Unlike currencies such as the Hong Kong dollar or the Saudi riyal, the ringgit is not pegged to a foreign currency: its rate floats freely and changes daily depending on the markets. That's one more reason to compare the rate on the day you exchange rather than relying on a figure you saw several weeks before departure.
Worth noting: the ringgit is a relatively uncommon currency in France. Not every exchange office keeps it in permanent stock, especially in large quantities. To avoid an unpleasant surprise the day before your flight, it's strongly advised to book your currency purchase online in advance to guarantee the notes are available.
Cash or card in Malaysia? The rule of two worlds
Malaysia runs on two payment rhythms. In big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Johor Bahru, bank cards work almost everywhere: shopping centres (the famous malls such as Suria KLCC or Pavilion), hotels, modern restaurants, chains and major brands accept Visa and Mastercard without any trouble. Mobile payment apps are also very widespread locally.
But as soon as you leave these circuits, cash becomes essential again. And that's precisely where the best of Malaysia is to be found:
- Street food and hawker centres: a nasi lemak, a char kway teow or a roti canai is paid for with a few coins and small notes. No stall on Jalan Alor will pull out a payment terminal.
- Markets (pasar) and night markets (pasar malam): exotic fruit, textiles, crafts, souvenirs… everything is haggled over and paid for in cash.
- Small-scale transport: traditional taxis, some local bus journeys or boat trips out to the islands.
- Rural areas and islands (Perhentian, Tioman, Cameron Highlands) where ATMs are scarce and sometimes out of order.
Our advice: arrive with a reserve of ringgit in small denominations for your first few days, your meals and your taxis, then use your card for big spending in the city. Having 1, 5 and 10 RM notes makes market purchases hugely easier, where change is rarely given on a 100 note.
ATMs and withdrawals on the spot
ATMs are plentiful in Kuala Lumpur and at the airports, but withdrawals abroad often come with a fixed bank fee per transaction, sometimes topped up with an unfavourable conversion rate applied by your bank. Making lots of small withdrawals quickly adds up. Exchanging part of your budget in euros before departure gives you visibility on the rate and saves you from hunting for a working ATM when you arrive, tired after a long flight.
Why prepare your currency in Paris before you leave
At Paris Change, an exchange office approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you exchange your euros for ringgit commission-free, at the day's counter rate. Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris, at the exit of the Saint-Michel metro (line 4) and the RER B/C. We are open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm, Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm) and offer more than 53 currencies.
Since the ringgit is one of the less common currencies, the safest option is to book online in advance: you lock in your order, we prepare your notes, and all that's left is to come and collect them in store. Handy when you want to be sure you have your cash before departure.
Frequently asked questions
How much ringgit should I plan to carry in cash for a trip to Malaysia?
It all depends on your travel style, but planning enough to cover your street meals, your taxis and a few market purchases for the first few days is a good baseline. Big expenses (hotels, malls) can go on card in the city. Always keep a reserve of small denominations.
Do you have to declare cash when leaving France?
Yes, above €10,000 in cash (all currencies combined, equivalent included), a customs declaration is mandatory when leaving the European Union. Below that, there are no formalities.
Can you exchange ringgit the same day in store?
It's possible depending on our stock, but as the ringgit is an uncommon currency, we strongly recommend booking online to guarantee the availability of your notes and the amount you want.
Ready to prepare your trip? Book your Malaysian ringgit online right now and come collect it at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, commission-free and 7 days a week. Start your currency purchase and set off with peace of mind.
