How to get currency for Madagascar before you leave the UK

Planning a trip to Madagascar? Sorting your travel money before you go can save a lot of faff when you land. 

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary, and while you may be able to exchange money or withdraw cash upon arrival, card and ATM availability can be limited outside major cities and tourist areas. 

This guide explains how to get currency for Madagascar from the UK, when to use cash, whether euros are useful, and how to order Malagasy ariary online before your trip.

Quick facts: Currency for Madagascar

Currency	Malagasy ariary
Code	MGA
Symbol	Ar
Where used	Madagascar
Best currency to take	Malagasy ariary for everyday spending, with euros or a card as backup
Common banknotes	100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 ariary
Common coins	10, 20 and 50 ariary coins are the most commonly used, while smaller coins are rarely used
Cash vs card	Cash is still very important, especially for taxis, tips, markets, local transport, smaller shops and rural areas. Cards may be accepted in some hotels, restaurants and larger businesses in major cities.
Simple tip	Order some Malagasy ariary from Manor FX before you travel, then keep euros or a card as backup so you are not relying on airport exchange desks or ATMs when you arrive.

How do you get currency for Madagascar?

The easiest way to get currency for Madagascar from the UK is to order Malagasy ariary online before you go. 

You can also exchange money after arrival at banks, hotels or official exchange offices, but this can take time and may not be convenient after a long flight.

Manor FX sells hard-to-source foreign currency, including Malagasy ariary, so you can order before your trip and arrive with cash ready for taxis, tips, markets and small purchases.

Why buy Malagasy ariary (MGA) online before travel?

Buying Malagasy ariary online is the simplest option if you want local cash before you land. 

It helps you avoid waiting around at airport exchange counters or searching for an ATM as soon as you arrive.

With Manor FX, you can buy Madagascar currency online, check the rate before you order and choose secure home delivery or collection near Heathrow. 

It’s a practical way to plan ahead, especially if your first day includes airport taxis, food, tips, or travel outside the capital.

Where to buy Malagasy ariary in the UK

Option	What to expect
Specialist bureau (online)	The simplest option for less common currencies: compare rates and order ahead. Get the best rates and swift home delivery with Manor FX.
High street banks	Some currencies may need ordering in advance; availability can vary by branch.
Post Office	Stocks a range of travel money, but less common currencies may be limited or unavailable.
Airport exchange	Convenient, but higher costs; stock of rarer currencies can be unpredictable.

How to get your Malagasy ariary with Manor FX

Getting currency for Madagascar with Manor FX is straightforward. 

• Start by heading to the Malagasy ariary product page, where you can check the latest available rate and choose how much Madagascar currency you want to order.

• Once you’ve entered the amount, the page will show how much you’ll pay in pounds and how much Malagasy ariary you’ll receive. This makes it easier to compare the total value of your order before you buy, rather than trying to work everything out from the headline exchange rate alone.

• You can then place your order online and choose the option that suits your trip. Manor FX offers secure delivery, so your travel money can be sent to your home or workplace, or you can collect your currency from the Manor FX bureau near Heathrow.

Because the Malagasy ariary is harder to source, it’s best not to leave it until the last minute. 

Ordering before you travel means you can arrive in Madagascar with local cash ready for taxis, tips, markets, snacks and smaller payments, instead of having to find an ATM or exchange office as soon as you land.

A sensible approach is to order enough cash for your arrival and the first few days, then take a backup card or euros for extra flexibility for the rest of your trip.

And don’t forget, Manor FX can help you convert any leftover Madagascar currency to GBP on your return.

What is the official currency of Madagascar?

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary, shown as MGA or sometimes Ar. 

You may also see people write “MGA” or “MGA currency” when talking about travel money.

Madagascar’s currency replaced the Malagasy franc in 2005 at a rate of 1 ariary to 5 francs. 

The franc is now the old currency, so travellers should use current ariary banknotes and coins only.

Why Malagasy ariary can be tricky to find

Unlike euros or dollars, the Malagasy ariary is not one of the world’s most commonly stocked currencies. 

That does not mean it is impossible to get, but it does mean you may need a specialist provider rather than a standard high street option.

Some people search for Madagascan currency, but the correct currency name is Malagasy ariary. 

If you’re comparing providers, check that prices are clearly displayed and that you’re buying actual travel cash, not signing up for unrelated services.

What are your backup payment options once you arrive in Madagascar? 

Ordering some Malagasy ariary before you leave the UK gives you a useful head start, but it is still sensible to have a backup plan. 

Once you’re in Madagascar, you may be able to exchange money, use ATM withdrawals or pay by card in some places. The key is not to rely on a single payment method for your entire trip.

Can you exchange money when you arrive?

You can exchange money in Madagascar through some banks, hotels, travel agencies and official exchange offices. 

This can be useful if you carry euros as backup, especially in Antananarivo or other major cities.

The downside is convenience. If you arrive tired, need a taxi, or are heading straight to a national park, beach area or smaller town, finding a reliable exchange office may not be your top priority.

Before you exchange, check the rate, fees and small print, then count your currency before leaving the counter. 

For most UK travellers, it is smoother to order some Malagasy ariary before leaving the UK, then use local currency exchange later if you need extra cash.

If you get back from your trip with leftover travel money, don’t worry, we’ll help you convert Madagascar currency to pounds at competitive rates. (We have the best MGA to GBP exchange rate.)

Can you rely on ATM withdrawals in Madagascar?

ATM withdrawals are possible in Madagascar, especially in Antananarivo and larger towns, but they are better treated as a backup than your main money plan. 

Access can be limited outside major centres, and withdrawing cash may involve local fees, card charges or maximum withdrawal limits.

There is also the usual travel faff: an ATM might be out of cash, your bank might block a transaction, or you might not find a machine when travelling through rural areas. 

Arriving with some Malagasy ariary already in your wallet gives you breathing room while you get settled.

For security, take more than one payment option if you can. A physical card, some local cash, and euros as a backup are usually more practical than relying on a single card or ATM network.

Can you use cards, multi currency accounts or Orange Money?

Cards and digital payment options can be useful in Madagascar, but they do not replace cash. 

Some hotels, larger restaurants and shops may accept Visa cards or Mastercard, especially in major cities and tourist areas, but card payments are not guaranteed everywhere.

Multi currency accounts, Wise, Orange Money and other phone-based payment services may be useful for some users, particularly for managing funds, sending money or making transfers. 

But for most visitors, they are not a complete solution for everyday spending.

You should not assume you can pay with just your phone, especially in markets, taxis, small shops or rural areas. 

Before you leave the UK, it is still sensible to sort some physical Malagasy ariary for everyday payments, then keep cards, euros or digital accounts as backup payment options.

What is the best currency for Madagascar?

The best currency for Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary. 

It is the currency of Madagascar and the most useful way to pay for everyday transactions, especially taxis, food, markets, local guides and small businesses.

Euros are useful as backup and are widely accepted for currency exchange. 

US dollars may also be accepted in some tourist areas, but they are not a replacement for local cash.

Does Madagascar take euros?

The euro can be useful in Madagascar, mainly for exchange and some tourist-facing services. 

Some hotels or tour providers may accept euros, but local prices are usually in ariary, and everyday payments are easier with local cash.

Think of euros as a backup, not your main spending money.

Madagascar currency exchange rate: what to know

The Madagascar currency exchange rate can change daily. 

In fact, exchange rates fluctuate constantly, so the rate you see on a currency converter may not be the exact rate available when you buy travel money.

The wider British pound exchange rate, market conditions and provider costs influence the Malagasy ariary exchange rate. 

The exchange rate fluctuates, so always check the current rate before you order.

Using a currency converter without missing the small print

A currency converter is helpful for getting a rough idea of the current rate, but it does not always show what you will actually pay. 

Look out for delivery charges, card fees, commission, minimum order amounts and whether the rate is indicative or confirmed.

The difference between a mid-market rate and a travel money rate can affect your savings, especially if you’re buying a larger amount.

Why cash matters in rural areas

Cash matters a lot in rural areas of Madagascar. 

Smaller shops, markets, local transport, guides and independent businesses may not take cards at all.

Keep smaller notes handy for tips, snacks and everyday spending. 

Large bills can be awkward if a seller does not have change, so a mix of denominations is more useful than carrying only high-value notes.

How much ariary can you take into Madagascar?

Travellers can take up to 400,000 Malagasy ariary into Madagascar. 

You should also declare foreign cash or travellers’ cheques worth €7,500 or more when you arrive, as you may need the certified declaration when leaving the country.

Because the local currency limit is low, it makes sense to take enough ariary for arrival costs and then use cards, euros, banks, or ATMs as a backup during your trip.

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