Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Madagascar. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
When I visited Madagascar, I used mainly BFV-Société Générale ATMs. With my Revolut Visa, I could withdraw 400,000 MGA at a time, and the fee was around 9,500 MGA. BNI ATMs also worked, though sometimes they had long queues. I usually took out enough to cover 3-4 days of meals and transport because many ATMs outside Tana were empty. Cash was essential everywhere, from local restaurants to national park entry. I’d suggest withdrawing in the capital before heading to coastal areas like Morondava or Nosy Be.
Honestly, Madagascar can be tough for cash. My Monzo card was rejected at BMOI ATMs multiple times, and when it worked, the limit was tiny - fee was 10,200 MGA for 400,000 withdrawal. i felt this was the most expensive because then i tried AcceBanque and that charged me only 9000 for the same withdrawal limit. Carry backup USD or EUR notes for emergencies because you can’t rely solely on ATMs in smaller towns.
I had a decent experience with ATMs in Madagascar. BFV-Societe Generale machines in Tana accepted my Wise Mastercard with no issues, and the limit was 300,000-400,000 MGA per transaction. The fee was around 9,500 MGA, which isn’t terrible. I withdrew twice during my trip, enough to cover food, taxis, and excursions. Most hotels accepted USD or EUR, but cash in ariary was essential in markets. Compared to some African countries, ATMs in Madagascar were surprisingly reliable as long as you stick to the bigger banks. best though was Accessbanque - only 9000 MGA fee for same amount.
In Madagascar, the most reliable ATMs for foreign cards are BFV-Société Générale and BMOI. I used my HSBC Visa card in Antananarivo and could withdraw up to 400,000 MGA (around $90 USD) per transaction in both the machines. Fees were about 9,500 MGA and 10,200 respectively. BFV ATMs are easy to find in larger cities, but outside Antananarivo, they can be scarce, so best to withdraw before heading to rural areas. ATMs at airports are also reliable but tend to have lower limits. Carry cash because card acceptance is very limited in villages.