Can I use cards on buses and public transport in Djibouti?

When it comes to paying for public transport in Djibouti, the simple answer is cash. The city's public transport consists of green minibuses and shared taxis, and they all operate on a cash-only basis. A single bus ride is typically around 50 DJF. While you might be able to use your Wise or Revolut card at some ATMs or larger businesses, for getting around on the local bus network, cash is the absolute requirement. Be sure to have small bills and coins ready to pay the driver when you board.

Navigating Djibouti's transportation is all about having cash on hand. There's no metro, and the buses and shared taxis are the way to go. You can find ATMs in major areas that accept international cards, so you can get the local Djiboutian Francs (DJF) easily. Just make sure you get a good amount of smaller bills. For example, a bus ride costs next to nothing, so you'll want to have small denominations. Don't expect to use a card like a Revolut for a bus fare; it's just not a thing there.

From what I've seen and experienced, the public transport in Djibouti runs on cash. There are no electronic payment systems for the minibuses or shared taxis. You'll need to have local currency, the Djiboutian franc (DJF), in your pocket. I remember taking a green-and-white taxi from the city center to Heron, and the fare was around DJF 500, which you need to negotiate and pay in cash. While some larger hotels might accept cards, for these smaller, daily transactions, cash is the only way to go.

Your best bet for public transport in Djibouti is to use cash. The country doesn't have a metro system; instead, you'll be relying on public buses and shared taxis, which are the main forms of transportation in urban areas. These are cash-only operations. A bus ride around Djibouti City is very cheap, often just 50 to 75 Djiboutian Francs (DJF). You just hand the money directly to the driver. Forget about tapping your Visa or Mastercard on the bus; it just won't work.