Author Topic: Best way to change dollars to Nis in Israel (Read 9213 times)

yitzyul · « **on:** November 30, 2011, 09:13:57 AM »

1) I need to change allot of USD to Shekels, How can I get the best rate? Most banks charge forigen transaction fees. I'd rather not have to open another bank account.

2) In addition to the above question what is the safest way to take a large amount of cahs to Israel as well

MnM1130 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:17:26 AM »

where are u located?
theres a change place by me that actually gives us a better rate than norm.. if ur interested im in rechavia...

shach · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:18:32 AM »

Quote from: yitzyul on November 30, 2011, 09:13:57 AM

1) I need to change allot of USD to Shekels, How can I get the best rate? Most banks charge forigen transaction fees. I'd rather not have to open another bank account.

2) In addition to the above question what is the safest way to take a large amount of cahs to Israel as well

1- find s/o little that would give a better rate e.g.davidka cleaners used to give yetzig
2-less than 10K per traveler and "odom memashmesh bekiso bekol shaah"

moish · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2011, 09:22:18 AM »

i generally get 2 points off the xe rate

Esther · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:33:15 PM »

Someone told me the places on Malchei Yisrael in Geula aren't bad. Not sure about large sums though...

jj1000 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2011, 11:40:43 PM »

I remember when I was in Israel the best exchange rate was by a small place at the end of ben yehuda called Kent. You may want to look into that.

sguitarist18 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2011, 12:14:41 AM »

TD bank used to offer a no-fee exchange rate, plus no ATM withdrawal fees. Not sure what their current policy is.

smurf · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2011, 12:16:33 AM »

Quote from: sguitarist18 on December 04, 2011, 12:14:41 AM

TD bank used to offer a no-fee exchange rate, plus no ATM withdrawal fees. Not sure what their current policy is.

I had that account when I was learning in Israel it required a minimum 2500 on deposit. I was in the bank last week and they said they no longer offered those free ATM benefits so I downgraded my account.

sguitarist18 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2011, 02:33:54 AM »

When I was there, it could be you needed 2500 to start, but you only had to keep a $100 balance in it.

Also, they may not have the ATM-fee refund, but what happens if yo got to an ATM without a fee? Also, even with a fee, it might be worth it if you factor in how much you save by not paying any fees.

moish · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:22:07 AM »

Quote from: jj1000 on December 03, 2011, 11:40:43 PM

I remember when I was in Israel the best exchange rate was by a small place at the end of ben yehuda called Kent. You may want to look into that.

kent is never as good as geula

elikay · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:29:01 AM »

Most Israeli ATMs operated by a bank, do not charge a fee.

sguitarist18 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:30:24 AM »

Quote from: moish on December 04, 2011, 03:22:07 AM

kent is never as good as geula

+1

WAM · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2011, 03:50:02 AM »

Quote from: sguitarist18 on December 04, 2011, 12:14:41 AM

TD bank used to offer a no-fee exchange rate, plus no ATM withdrawal fees. Not sure what their current policy is.

TD Charges $2 to withdraw from a non-TD ATM.

Jkhein · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2011, 04:45:36 AM »

In Geula they give very bad rates. Obviously because they are there for tourists. I use the one by shmuel hanavi/Golda Meir, they give quite good rates, and if you have larger amounts, they will give you more.

moish · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:46:14 AM »

Quote from: Jkhein on December 04, 2011, 04:45:36 AM

In Geula they give very bad rates. Obviously because they are there for tourists. I use the one by shmuel hanavi/Golda Meir, they give quite good rates, and if you have larger amounts, they will give you more.

it obviously depends on the place in geula, but in general terms, the best rates can be found there
very bad? = mistake

damaxer91 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:56:08 AM »

Quote from: moish on December 04, 2011, 03:22:07 AM

kent is never as good as geula

Kent is long gone, no?

Red · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:57:04 AM »

The best way is to find those neighborhood guys, the ones without a store. Most neighborhoods have at least one such guy. By me he generally takes only 1 point off the xe rate.

moish · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2011, 08:58:10 AM »

contact info?

chuchem · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2011, 10:12:25 AM »

Kent was the best place, but he is gone. Rimon is not open the entire night anymore and a tram drives on jaffo. The area is not the same anymore...

Red · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:22:51 PM »

Quote from: moish on December 05, 2011, 08:58:10 AM

contact info?

PM sent.