Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Somalia, or should I carry local cash?
Local advice from friends in Hargeisa confirmed it's best to pay taxi rides in cash. Even taxis affiliated with hotels usually require cash upfront. My recommendation is to withdraw cash from main banks like Amal Bank and carry several small notes for convenience and to avoid disputes.
Taxi rides in Somalia are all about cash. I stayed near the Liido Beach area, and cards were never an option. The street taxis operate informally, so it’s best to have enough small Somali shillings before traveling. ATMs are sparse, so plan accordingly.
I remember trying to use my card for a taxi near the Somali National Museum, but the driver only took cash. Infrastructure and security issues mean Somalia’s taxi scene is very much cash-based. I always kept shillings handy for rides, especially around districts like Hodan and Wadajir.
In Mogadishu, taxis mostly operate on cash in Somali shillings. Card acceptance is practically unheard of, even at the airport. I had to carry small bills constantly. Certain hotels like the Jazeera Palace Hotel might offer taxi services that accept cards, but regular taxis do not.