SURVIVAL GUIDE - Sydney - page 216

Banking and Local Currency
Sydney is Australia's financial capital. In the central
business district are the imposing headquarters of
several of the country's leading banks, as well as the
Australian head offices of major foreign banks. Visitors
will find local, state and national bank branches dotted
at convenient intervals throughout the city and suburbs.
There is no limit to the amount of personal funds that
visitors can bring into Australia. Most currencies can be
exchanged on arrival at the airport (beyond immigration
and customs). Although banks generally offer the best
exchange rates, money can also be changed at bureaux
de change, larger department stores and major hotels.

in smaller outlets. Foreign cur-
rency cheques can be cashed
at banks, bureaux de change
and established hotels.
Banks are generally the best
places to go as their fees are
lower. Some banks will cash
traveller's cheques in Australian
dollars without charge. Other
banks have varying transaction
charges, so shop around.

BUREAUX DE CHANGE

Sydney has many bureaux
de change in the popular
shopping districts. Most are
open Monday to Saturday from
9am to 5:30pm. It can be hard
to change money on Sundays.
While their extended hours
can make bureaux de change
a convenient alternative to a
bank, their commissions and
fees are generally higher than
those charged by major banks.

or credit account. Most cash
dispensers will accept various
Australian bank cards, Visa and
MasterCard (Access), as well
as certain others. They are not
only convenient, but may also
provide a better exchange rate
than cash transactions.

CREDIT CARDS

All well-known international
credit cards are widely
accepted in Australia. Major
credit cards such as American
Express, MasterCard (Access),
Visa and Diners Club can be
used to book and pay for hotel
rooms, airline tickets, car hire,
tours and concert
and theatre tickets.
Credit cards are
accepted in most
restaurants and
shops, where the
logos of all recog-
nized cards are
usually shown on
doors and counter
tops. You can also
use credit cards in
automatic cash dispensers at
most banks to withdraw cash.
Credit cards are a convenient
way to make phone bookings
and avoid the need to carry
large sums of cash. They can
be especially useful in emer-
gencies or if you need to fly
home at short notice.

DIRECTORY

High street bank logos

BANKING

FOREIGN CURRENCY
EXCHANGE

Bank trading hours are
generally from 9:30am to 4pm
Monday to Thursday, and
9:30am to 5pm on
Fridays. Some are
also open to mid-
day on Saturdays.
Major city banks
open 8:30am to
5pm on weekdays.
A valid passport
or another form of
photographic ID is
usually needed if
you are cashing
traveller's cheques. The current
exchange rates, which can vary
considerably from day to day,
are displayed in the windows
or foyers of many banks.

American Express
60 Martin Place. Map 1 B4.
50 Pitt St. Map 1 B3.
275 George St. Map 1 B4.
341 George St. Map 1 B4.
296 George St. Map 1 B3.
673 George St. Map 1 B3.
Tel [phone].

BUREAUX DE CHANGE

Automatic cash dispenser

Travelex
28 Bridge St. Map 1 B3.
570 George St. Map 1 B5.
Citibank
2 Park St. Map 4 E2.
55-57 Pitt St. Map 1 B3.
695 George St. Map 4 E4.
Tel [phone].
Interforex
Jetty 6, Circular Quay.
Shop 2, Opera Quays.
First Fleet Park, Circular Quay.
75 George St, The Rocks.
Map 1 B2-B3. Tel [phone].
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AUTOMATIC
CASH DISPENSERS

Automatic cash dispensers
can be found in most bank
lobbies or on an external wall
near the bank's entrance. Ask
your own bank which Sydney
banks and cash dispensers will
accept your card and what the
transaction charges will be.
Australian currency (in $20
and $50 denominations) can
be withdrawn from your bank

CASHING TRAVELLER'S
CHEQUES

Australian dollar traveller's
cheques issued by major
names like Travelex and
American Express are usually
accepted (with a passport) in
larger shops in Sydney. You
may have problems, however,

8am-8:30pm daily.