Exotic Scarcity
The summer tourist season is rapidly approaching — and many tourists are faced with the question: is it possible to buy cash currency of destination countries in Russia? 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 — MK found out.
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 no longer work, 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 acquiring 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 leave the tourist areas seriously and for a long time 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 will come in handy for endless tips: tour bus driver, 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 contained the equivalent of $1,000 (yes, currency exchange specialists are also accustomed to cu!), the other was half as much, and the third 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 trick … 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 the central place — on Tverskaya, 6. Moreover, there is a serious amount in stock, much more than the equivalent of 1000 dollars. It is understandable: a solid currency for respectable gentlemen.
Currencies of the near abroad are now sold much less actively than before (not to mention the hryvnia — but even Arabic drams can be found in only six exchange offices in Moscow). The exception is the Belarusian ruble: it is sold, like the yuan, in dozens of exchangers.
But what seems to be absent (officially) in Moscow at all is the 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.