Travelling to Madagascar?

Get the best MGA exchange rates when you buy Madagascar ariary online

Buy Malagasy Ariary from Manor FX today for a pocketful of MGA to enjoy. 

We offer the best possible exchange rates, ensuring you save and get more for your money. 

You can have your currency for Madagascar delivered securely to your home or office. Prefer to pop in to collect? Simply pick up your travel money up at our Manor FX bureau near Heathrow. 

Count on Manor FX for swift delivery and a hassle-free online ordering process for your Malagasy ariary travel money.

Madagascar travel money

Read up on cash and card payments in Madagascar to ensure you’re well-prepared for your holiday to the Indian Ocean Island of Madagascar. 

Where can I get Madagascar currency?

You can buy Madagascar currency online from Manor FX before you travel. 

The local currency is the Malagasy ariary, and making your pounds to Malagasy ariary

currency exchange in advance means you can arrive with cash ready for taxis, tips, markets, and places that may not accept cards.

Is the Malagasy ariary closed currency?

The Malagasy ariary is not widely traded outside Madagascar, so it can be harder to find than major currencies like euros or US dollars. 

It’s best described as a rare or restricted currency, rather than a standard closed currency. 

Manor FX specialises in hard-to-source travel money, so you can order Malagasy ariary online before you travel.

Can I buy Madagascar currency in the UK online?

Yes, you can buy Madagascar currency online in the UK from Manor FX. 

Order Madagascar ariary online on our website before you travel and have your holiday money ready for when you arrive in Madagascar.

Exchange rates fluctuate constantly. Rates rise and fall, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the Malagasy ariary exchange rate for about 30 days before buying your currency.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Madagascar?

Yes, it’s sensible to buy some Malagasy ariary before you travel to Madagascar. 

Cash is still widely used, especially for taxis, markets, tips, smaller shops and rural areas, while card acceptance can be limited outside larger hotels and tourist areas. 

Manor FX lets you order Malagasy ariary currency online before you go, so you’re not relying on airport exchange desks or ATMs when you arrive. 

What is the best currency to bring to Madagascar?

The best currency to take to Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), as it’s the official currency and the most useful for everyday spending. 

Euros are also widely accepted for exchange and may be used in some tourist settings, while US dollars are only sometimes accepted in major cities and tourist areas. 

For most travellers, it’s sensible to take some ariary for taxis, tips, markets and smaller purchases, plus a card or euros as backup.

Can I use my bank card in Madagascar?

You may be able to use a bank card in Madagascar, but you shouldn’t rely on it for everyday spending. 

Madagascar is still a cash-based economy, with card payments by Visa, Mastercard, etc., mainly accepted at larger hotels, some restaurants, and some shops. 

ATMs are available but limited, especially outside Antananarivo, so it’s sensible to take Malagasy ariary with you for taxis, tips, markets and smaller purchases.

Should I use cash in Madagascar?

Yes. We strongly recommend carrying some Malagasy ariary cash when embarking on your journey to Madagascar. Particularly if it’s your first time visiting this beautiful country. 

This allows you to exchange your pounds or euros for ariary outside of Antananarivo International Airport. Reports of fraudulent exchange offices have surfaced there.

Cash holds a pivotal role as a payment method in Madagascar. It’s advisable to procure lower-denomination banknotes, as merchants may not always be able to provide change for larger bills.  

Is it better to use cash or credit card in Madagascar?

Both have their place. In Madagascar, we recommend primarily using cash, particularly the local currency, Malagasy ariary (MGA). But credit cards are acceptable in larger cities and tourist areas, 

How much money should I take to Madagascar?

As a rough guide, budget travellers may need around £35 / 200,000 Malagasy ariary per person per day, mid-range travellers around £80–£85 / 465,000 ariary per day, and luxury travellers around £170–£175 / 980,000 ariary per day. 

For a 7-day trip, that works out at roughly £245 / 1.4 million ariary for budget travel, £560–£595 / 3.3 million ariary for mid-range travel, or £1,190–£1,225 / 6.9 million ariary for luxury travel. 

These figures are based on the exchange rate on 11 May 2026, so check the latest rate before you order. 

You should also avoid carrying your entire trip budget in cash, as Madagascar has limits on how much local currency you can bring in.

How can I avoid ATM fees in Madagascar?

You may not be able to avoid ATM fees completely in Madagascar, but you can reduce them by choosing ATMs that show no surcharge before you confirm, and making fewer, larger withdrawals instead of lots of small ones. 

Some travellers report lower or no local ATM fees at certain banks, but this can change, so always check the on-screen fee before accepting. 

It’s also sensible to take some Malagasy ariary from Manor FX with you, so you’re not forced to use an airport ATM or pay extra fees as soon as you arrive.

How does tipping work in Madagascar?

Tipping in Madagascar is appreciated but not compulsory. 

In restaurants, you can leave around 5–10% for good service, while for taxis and bars, it’s usually enough to round up the bill. 

Guides, drivers, porters and hotel staff may also expect a small cash tip, especially in tourist areas. It’s best to tip in Malagasy ariary, so keep some smaller notes handy. 

Is Madagascar a cheap country?

Madagascar can be relatively cheap for everyday costs, especially food, local transport and simple accommodation, but it isn’t always a cheap destination overall. 

National park fees, guides, internal travel, and remote routes can quickly push costs up. 

Madagascar currency

Banknotes in Madagascar

Madagascar’s current banknotes are issued by Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara, the country’s central bank. 

The 2017 ariary banknote series includes 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 ariary notes, with designs inspired by Madagascar’s wildlife, landscapes, culture, economy, and tourist sites.  

Older ariary notes may still be seen, but travellers should not accept old Malagasy franc notes, as the ariary replaced the franc as Madagascar’s official currency in 2005 at a rate of 1 ariary to 5 francs.

For everyday spending, it’s useful to carry a mix of smaller and larger ariary notes.y ariary banknotes.

Coins in Madagascar

Madagascar’s coins are diverse and come in various denominations. Common coin denominations include 1 MGA, 2 MGA, 5 MGA, 10 MGA, 20 MGA, 50 MGA, and 100 MGA. 

If you encounter franc coins, don’t accept them; they are no longer valid.

These coins are ideal for smaller transactions like buying snacks, paying for local transport, and making change at markets. 

They feature unique designs representing the island’s rich culture and wildlife. It’s advisable to carry a mix of coins and banknotes for convenience in daily transactions.

Coins in Madagascar

Madagascar uses Malagasy ariary coins, although coins are generally low in value and less important for travellers than banknotes. 

The most commonly used coins are 10, 20 and 50 ariary, while smaller denominations such as 1, 2, 4 and 5 ariary are rarely used. 

For everyday spending, it’s still useful to carry small change for markets, local transport, snacks and tips. 

Avoid accepting old Malagasy franc notes or unfamiliar old coins as change, and stick to current ariary notes and coins where possible.

Madagascar’s currency import and export regulations

Travellers can take up to 400,000 Malagasy ariary (MGA) 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. 

Local currency limits can be strict, so avoid carrying large amounts of ariary in or out of Madagascar and check the latest rules before you travel.

Buy Malagasy ariary online (GBP to MGA)

Purchase Malagasy ariary online and enjoy swift, secure delivery to your home or workplace via Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®. 

Alternatively, you can collect them from our travel money store near Heathrow. Click here to convert GBP to Malagasy ariary.

When you order Malagasy ariary from Manor FX, our checkout clearly shows your currency amount, exchange rate and total price before you pay. 

For added security, Manor FX verifies order details and uses secure payment processing, giving customers confidence when buying hard-to-source travel money online.

Manor FX provides foreign currency exchange for travel money. We do not offer international money transfer services, travel money cards or banking products.

Sell Malagasy ariary (MGA to GBP)

If you need to convert Malagasy ariary to GBP, head to the top of the page

Click on ‘sell currency’ and choose ‘MGA Malagasy ariary’. We offer competitive rates for your Madagascar ariary to GBP exchange.

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