Money Changers in Kuala Lumpur: 13 Licensed Counters for Better Rates
Last updated: October 2026
Money changers in Kuala Lumpur are licensed and supervised by Bank Negara Malaysia, and the competition between them means you can usually get a better rate in the city than at the airport or your hotel. The best-known clusters are in Bukit Bintang, Mid Valley Megamall and the older streets around Jalan Masjid India and Masjid Jamek.
This guide covers 13 licensed money changers in Kuala Lumpur, grouped by area, with addresses, opening hours and phone numbers where published. Every operator was checked against Bank Negara Malaysia's money services business licensee list (as at 6 October 2026) in October 2026. Exchange rates change daily, so no rates are quoted here; check the board at the counter or the operator's website.
Licensed changers do not normally add a separate commission; their margin is the gap between the buying and selling rate. That gap is narrowest for major currencies such as the US dollar, Singapore dollar, euro and pound, and widest for less common currencies.
Jump to a place (13)
Money Changers in Bukit Bintang and Pavilion
Bukit Bintang has the densest cluster of licensed counters in the city. Jalan Bukit Bintang, Changkat Bukit Bintang and the lower floors of Sungei Wang Plaza all have several operators within a few minutes' walk, which makes it easy to compare boards before you hand over cash.
1. Suka Money Changers
Suka Money Changers Sdn. Bhd. is a street-front counter on the main Bukit Bintang strip, a short walk from the Bukit Bintang MRT and monorail stations. It is listed as an active licensed currency exchange business on Bank Negara Malaysia's money services business register and is one of the best-reviewed counters on the street, which is why it often has a short queue in the afternoon.
Like most Malay-Muslim and Indian-Muslim run changers in KL, it closes for Friday prayers between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Phone +60 3-2142 0511.
2. HME Money Changer @ Bukit Bintang
Hasani Munawarah Exchange (HME) runs this branch at the Hotel Ambassador on Jalan Sultan Ismail, between Bukit Bintang and the Lot 10 junction. Its late closing time is the main reason to know about it: it is one of the few licensed changers in central KL still open after the malls shut, so it is useful if you arrive by evening bus or train and need ringgit for a late meal.
The branch is on Bank Negara Malaysia's licensed list under Hasani Munawarah Exchange Sdn Bhd, which also operates counters near KLCC and in Penang. Phone +60 3-2110 5018.
3. MaxMoney Sungei Wang Plaza
MaxMoney is one of Malaysia's largest licensed money changers and wholesale currency dealers, with a head office on Jalan Raja Chulan. It has two counters on the lower ground floor of Sungei Wang Plaza (LG153 and LG156), so if one has a queue the other is a few steps away.
MaxMoney publishes indicative counter rates on its website, so you can check before walking over. Sungei Wang is directly connected to the Bukit Bintang MRT station. Phone +60 3-2142 6000 (LG153) or +60 3-2141 7786 (LG156).
4. Merchantrade Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Merchantrade Asia is a large Malaysian licensed money services business licensed for currency exchange, remittance and e-money services. Its Pavilion KL branch sits on Level 1 of the mall, which is convenient if you are already shopping on Jalan Bukit Bintang and do not want to walk the street comparing counters.
Mall-based counters are usually a little less sharp than the competing street shops a few hundred metres away, but the difference on a few hundred ringgit is small. Bring your passport: Merchantrade, like all licensed operators, records identity details for larger transactions.
Money Changers near KLCC and Jalan Ampang
The Petronas Towers area has fewer street-front changers than Bukit Bintang, so most options are inside malls along Jalan Ampang.
5. Suria Muhabat Suria KLCC
Suria Muhabat Sdn. Bhd. is a long-running licensed changer with branches in Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang. Its Suria KLCC counter is on the concourse level, which links to the KLCC LRT station, so it is the easiest stop if you arrive at the Petronas Towers without ringgit.
Lulu Money also has a licensed branch on the same concourse level (C-41B), so you can compare two boards in a few minutes. Mall counters here are generally not as sharp as the Bukit Bintang street shops.
6. Antara Duit Money Changer, Avenue K
Antaraduit Agensi Sdn. Bhd. operates this counter on the concourse level of Avenue K, the mall directly opposite Suria KLCC with its own entrance to the KLCC LRT station. It is listed as an active branch on Bank Negara Malaysia's money services business register.
It is a quieter alternative when the KLCC counters are busy. On Fridays it closes for the midday prayer break, so check before visiting. Phone +60 18-358 6500.
Money Changers in Mid Valley City
Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall have long had a reputation among locals for competitive rates, because several licensed operators trade within the same complex.
7. My Money Master, Mid Valley Megamall
My Money Master Sdn. Bhd. has its head office counter at the Centre Court on the lower ground floor of Mid Valley Megamall. It keeps full mall hours, seven days a week, Online reviews are mixed, but the counter is useful because it is open late and other licensed changers in the same mall are a short walk away for comparison.
MaxMoney also has a branch in Mid Valley Megamall (Lot S-P1-01) and KL Remit Exchange has one at Lot LG45, so check two boards before you change a large sum. Mid Valley is connected to the Mid Valley KTM Komuter station, one stop from KL Sentral.
Money Changers in Chinatown, Masjid India and Jalan TAR
The older commercial streets around Masjid Jamek, Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Jalan TAR) are where many long-established changers started, and rates here are often among the best in the city for major currencies.
8. MaxMoney Lebuh Pudu
This MaxMoney street branch sits on Lebuh Pudu between Central Market and Masjid Jamek, a few minutes' walk from Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek LRT stations. It is a practical stop before exploring Chinatown and Petaling Street, where many stalls and older kopitiams still prefer cash.
The branch is licensed for currency exchange, remittance and wholesale currency. Shophouse branches like this often keep shorter hours than mall counters and may close on Sundays, so call ahead on +60 3-2022 0306.
9. Merchantrade Wisma GTK
Merchantrade's head office branch on Jalan Hang Lekiu, near Masjid Jamek, is a large counter that handles currency exchange and international remittance. It opens earlier than the mall branches, which helps if you want cash first thing in the morning before a day in the old city centre.
It can be busy with remittance customers at weekends; weekday mornings are quieter. Masjid Jamek LRT station is about five minutes' walk. Phone +60 3-2031 9896.
10. Jalinan Duta, Jalan Masjid India
Jalan Masjid India has a row of licensed changers in the ground-floor shops of Malayan Mansion and Selangor Mansion, the older residential blocks along the pedestrian street. Jalinan Duta Sdn. Bhd. has its head office here, with neighbours including Team Smart Forex, Hamid Bros and Zenith Global Business, all listed as active on Bank Negara Malaysia's register.
Because four or five counters trade side by side, this is one of the easiest places in KL to compare rates on foot. Most close for Friday prayers and keep shorter hours on Sundays. Masjid Jamek LRT station is a five-minute walk.
11. S.S.B. Interchange, SOGO
S.S.B. Interchange Sdn. Bhd. runs its head office counter on the lower ground floor of the SOGO department store complex on Jalan TAR. It is a handy stop if you are shopping for fabrics and batik along Jalan TAR.
Further north along Jalan TAR, towards Chow Kit, there are several more licensed counters, including Akbar Money Changer at No. 474 and AMX Money Exchange at No. 498. Bandaraya LRT and Medan Tuanku monorail stations are both within walking distance.
Money Changers at KL Sentral and the Airports
Transport-hub counters are convenient but rarely the cheapest. Change a small amount here and the rest in the city.
12. Merchantrade KL City Air Terminal
This Merchantrade counter is inside the KL City Air Terminal at KL Sentral, where the KLIA Ekspres train departs for both airport terminals. It is the obvious place to sort out currency on your way to or from the airport, and to sell back leftover ringgit before you fly.
NU Sentral mall, linked by a walkway, has further licensed counters including Lulu Money (Lot LG.46) and Suria Muhabat (LG 35). Phone +60 3-2278 8788.
13. Bank Islam Currency Exchange, KLIA Terminal 1 and klia2
Bank Islam runs round-the-clock currency exchange counters at both KL airport terminals: on the Level 3 public arrival hall of KLIA Terminal 1 (+60 3-8661 9966) and at Gateway@klia2 (+60 3-8661 9955). The bank states that no fees or charges are added; as everywhere, its margin is built into the rate.
Airport rates are usually worse than in the city, so change only enough for the first day (transport, a SIM card and a meal) and do the rest in town. Travelex also has several counters at KLIA and klia2, and there are bank ATMs in both arrival halls.
Tips for Using Money Changers in Kuala Lumpur
Compare at least two boards
Licensed changers display their buying and selling rates. Look at the "we buy" column for the currency you are handing over, and compare two counters before changing more than a few hundred ringgit. In Bukit Bintang and on Jalan Masjid India the counters are close enough to do this in five minutes.
Airport and hotel rates are worse
Airport counters, hotel front desks and transport-hub booths have the widest spreads. Change a small amount on arrival and the rest in the city. Never change money with anyone approaching you on the street; only use counters with a Bank Negara Malaysia licence displayed.
Bring clean, undamaged notes
Torn, written-on, heavily creased or very old series notes may be refused or bought at a lower rate, especially US dollars. Large denominations (USD 100, EUR 50, SGD 50) usually get better rates than small notes.
Carry your passport
Licensed money changers must carry out customer due diligence on larger transactions, and Bank Negara Malaysia has penalised operators that skipped checks on money-changing transactions above RM3,000. Bring your passport (not a photocopy) whenever you plan to change a large sum; some counters ask for it on any amount.
Friday prayer breaks and Sunday hours
Many street counters run by Muslim owners close for Friday prayers, roughly between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. Shophouse branches may close on Sundays and public holidays, while mall counters follow mall hours (usually 10 am to 10 pm).
ATMs and cards
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in malls, hotels and chain restaurants. Bank ATMs give a fair rate, but your home bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee and the ATM operator may add one too. If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in ringgit to avoid a poor conversion rate.
QR payments and e-wallets
Malaysia runs on DuitNow QR codes, even at many hawker stalls. Visitors from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and other countries can scan DuitNow QR with selected home banking apps, and participating Alipay+ wallets work at DuitNow QR merchants. Touch 'n Go eWallet now lets tourists from Singapore and other ASEAN countries register with a passport and foreign mobile number. Still carry some cash for markets, older stalls and parking.
Money Changers in Kuala Lumpur: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to change money in Kuala Lumpur?
For most major currencies, the street counters on Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Masjid India and the mall counters in Mid Valley Megamall give the best rates, because several licensed operators compete side by side. Compare two boards before changing a large amount. Airport and hotel rates are usually the weakest.
Should I change money at KLIA or in the city?
Change only a small amount at KLIA or klia2, enough for transport, a SIM card and a meal, then change the rest in the city. Bank Islam's airport counters are open 24 hours and charge no extra fee, but city money changers in Bukit Bintang, Masjid India and Mid Valley usually offer better rates.
Do I need my passport to change money in Malaysia?
Bring your passport. Licensed money changers must verify customer identity on larger transactions, and Bank Negara Malaysia enforces checks on money-changing transactions above RM3,000. Some counters ask for identification on any transaction.
How do I know a money changer in Kuala Lumpur is licensed?
Licensed operators display their Bank Negara Malaysia licence at the counter. You can also search the money services business licensee list on the Bank Negara Malaysia website by company name or address. Every counter in this guide was on that list (as at 6 October 2026).
Can tourists pay without cash in Kuala Lumpur?
Yes, in most places. Cards are accepted at malls, hotels and chain restaurants, and DuitNow QR codes can be scanned by participating Alipay+ wallets and selected foreign banking apps. Touch 'n Go eWallet is open to tourists from ASEAN countries. Keep some ringgit for hawker stalls, markets and taxis.