Is it better to get foreign currency in Australia for a holiday to Thailand or to use an ATM once I am there?

I am going on Holiday to Thailand and want to know whether it is better to get my foreign currency in Australia before I go, exchange Aussie dollars once I am there, or just use an ATM card? Where will I get the best rates? Thanks.

Use you ATM while your here.

if you decide you want to be able to use the ATM, do make sure you let your bank know you're travelling overseas before you go ... in the UK it's becoming an increasing problem that if you go quite legitimately on holiday and try to use your card, the fraud department at your bank will cancel it thinking that someone is defrauding you ... which is great that they're looking at security, but a bummer when you're stuck on holiday with no money !!

so before you travel, ring them up and let them know where/when you're travelling

If you bank has low bank charges, useyour ATM there. Otherwise if the bank charges are high, it may be more worthwhile to bring AUD there to change. Unless you like the convenience of the ATM card and the preferable inter-bank exchange rate.

You will get a better rate at an ATM, But ....... Bear in mind your Aussie bank will take fee's.. Westpac for example charge $5 / transaction plus a conversion fee based on % plus a M/card % fee, even with a debit card..

The ATM will give you about 3 Baht / $ more.

generally you will get a far better rate in thailand(or any other country,usually) than you will at home.....bear in mind a lot of banks charge a hefty fee for using their card abroad.....find one that doesn't.I'm from the uk so I use Nationwide or HSBC with Bank Account Plus(maybe available to Oz?)

Check the xchange rates and your bank fees. When travelling I always carry some of the country's currency on me, but for the most part I use a debit card. Makes life easy.