Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Ethiopia, or should I carry local cash?
Many travelers told me in Ethiopia, especially outside big cities, cards don’t work for taxis. In Addis Ababa near the National Museum, I always used cash. If you want to pay by card, your best bet is hotel taxis or Uber-like apps if available, but those are rare. Local ATMs work well for withdrawing small amounts.
Honestly, I keep cash handy for taxis in Addis Ababa. Cards aren’t reliable outside airport transfers or upscale services. Even my hotel taxi charged cash. Local taxi fares range 50-150 ETB, so small change makes rides easier. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency and got most taxis via hotel rides, where cards were accepted, but street taxis were all cash.
Tried using a Visa card for a taxi near Meskel Square, but the driver wasn’t set up for it. Ethiopian taxis are largely cash-only. You’ll want to withdraw at local banks like Commercial Bank of Ethiopia ATMs beforehand. Also, keep in mind taxis rarely have change, so small notes are crucial.
In Addis Ababa, most taxis, including those around Bole International Airport and the city center, expect cash in Ethiopian birr. While some higher-end taxis might accept cards, it’s rare locally. I always carried about ETB 200-500 in small bills for taxi rides, especially when staying at hotels like Sheraton or Radisson Blu.