Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Sudan, or should I carry local cash?
Taxi rides in Sudan are straightforward: always carry cash. Even if you’re near Khartoum’s popular markets or staying at Al Nile Hotel, most taxis won’t have card machines. I withdrew Sudanese pounds at the National Bank and never had trouble with cash payments. Plan your taxi budget accordingly.
For anyone visiting Sudan, relying on plastic for taxi rides won’t work in most places. I took taxis around the Omdurman market, and cash was the only accepted method. Taxi fares were reasonable, but carrying small bills made negotiating easier. ATMs are decent but don’t expect card payment terminals in taxis.
While staying near the Khartoum International Airport, I found taxi drivers reluctant to take card payments. Despite some hotels offering card options for airport transfers, street taxis operate almost exclusively on cash. Bringing small Sudanese pounds helps avoid delays and awkward conversations about payment.
In Khartoum, taxis mostly want cash payments in Sudanese pounds. Card acceptance is nearly nonexistent, even near big hotels like Corinthia. I always carried enough local cash for taxi rides, especially around the Nile Street area. ATMs like those at Bank of Khartoum are handy for withdrawals, but plan ahead since taxis won’t take cards.