Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in Eswatini - cash only, or do cards work too?
Honestly, it’s a bit inconvenient that you can’t use cards for metro or bus rides in Eswatini. I was hoping to tap my Mastercard or pay contactless, but nope-cash is king here, which made things trickier when I ran low on Emalangeni. ATMs like those at Eswatini Bank and FNB are available in the main cities, but not everywhere. So I suggest always having enough notes ready before traveling, or you might struggle, especially outside Mbabane or Manzini. Hopefully, they’ll start upgrading payment methods soon to match global standards.
I took a khumbi from Mbabane to Manzini, and the fare was 15E (roughly $1 USD). Payment was cash only-no cards accepted at all. I noticed the driver collected the fare mid-ride, which is kinda usual there. I used an FNB ATM before I traveled to grab some Emalangeni. The buses don’t have fancy tap cards or apps like bigger cities, so having cash is the way to go. Still, it’s pretty efficient, and locals are friendly enough to help you figure out the fares and routes.
In my last trip to Eswatini, paying for buses was all about cash. Even if you have a good credit or debit card (like Mastercard or Eswatini Bank’s debit card), public transit is mostly cash-based. I’d recommend withdrawing from ATMs at major spots like inside FNB branches or bus ranks in Mbabane before getting on. Don’t rely on tech solutions or cards for daily trips; they’re simply not accepted on all routes yet. Also, watch out-some kombi taxis only leave when fully loaded, so keep coins or notes ready to pay quickly when you hop in.
If you're heading to Eswatini and wondering about metro or bus payments, mostly it’s cash only on public transport for now. The buses and kombis don’t usually accept cards on board. You’ll pay the fare directly to the conductor or driver, usually between 15-70 Emalangeni depending on route length. Some private operators run things faster than government buses. So keep some local currency handy before you board, especially since card payments like Mastercard or Visa aren’t common on these rides yet. ATMs, including FNB and Eswatini Bank ones, are spread out in towns like Mbabane or Manzini if you need cash.