Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Madagascar: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Use ATMs in Madagascar for most of your withdrawals. Budget MGA 100,000-150,000 per day if you’re mixing local meals with tours. Exchange a little at the airport - maybe €10-20 - to cover taxis, but get the rest from bank ATMs in town. Always carry some cash, as many rural areas don’t have reliable machines. ATMs give much better conversion than airport counters.
Madagascar’s airport counter was overpriced. I swapped €100 and later realized I lost enough ariary to cover two day trips. For a country where I budgeted MGA 120,000 per day, that’s significant. ATMs at BNI and BFV-SG in Antananarivo gave much stronger rates. It was frustrating to start my trip by wasting money at the airport. Don’t fall for it - ATMs are far better.
I exchanged €20 at Ivato Airport for my taxi and snacks. The rate was poor. Later, I withdrew from a BNI ATM in the city and clearly got more ariary for the same euros. Meals cost me about MGA 25,000-40,000, and day trips like Lemur Park added another 50,000. My budget was MGA 120,000 daily, and ATMs gave me the best value. Airport counters are only good for emergencies.
In Madagascar, ATMs in Antananarivo and major towns usually give better rates than airport exchange counters. Banks like BNI or BFV-Société Générale offer more favorable Malagasy ariary withdrawals. Airport desks add big markups. If you’re budgeting MGA 100,000-150,000 daily for meals, taxis, and park entry fees, ATMs are the smarter choice. Exchange just a little at the airport for immediate expenses.