Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Libya, or should I carry local cash?
From chatting with locals in Libya, nearly all taxi transactions are cash-based. Even when taxis claim they accept cards, the infrastructure is spotty. I stayed near Green Square, and cash worked best for quick rides. ATMs from local banks are decent, so I suggest planning your cash needs carefully.
Honestly, using cards for taxis in Libya is almost impossible. Most drivers only take cash, mainly because card terminals aren’t common and the network is unreliable. If you stay near Bab al-Azizia or the Corniche, withdrawal from banks like the Central Bank of Libya is best before travel, and carry small bills for taxis.
Tried paying with my Mastercard near the Red Castle Museum, but the taxi driver said no. Libya’s taxi scene is old school, and cash is king. I always kept about LYD 30-50 handy for short rides. For longer trips like going to the Medina, cash definitely makes things smoother.
In Tripoli and Benghazi, taxis are pretty much cash-only. Even with hotels like the Corinthia, card acceptance for local taxis is rare. I carried Libyan dinars in small bills, which made paying easier since drivers rarely had change for large notes. ATMs around Martyrs' Square worked fine for withdrawals, but don’t count on card payments in taxis.