Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in South Sudan - cash only, or do cards work too?
When I visited Juba, I paid all bus fares in cash directly to the driver. The roads and vehicles can be rough, but cash is the only way to pay. I also used a ‘boksi’ to get around rural areas-those trucks packed with benches usually only take cash. Credit cards and mobile payments for buses are not yet established.
South Sudan’s public transport is very basic-cash only everywhere. Card or app payments are nonexistent, and relying on ATMs is risky due to low availability. Transport is often crowded and uncomfortable, so be prepared with local currency at all times. If you don’t carry cash, you might not get far.
If traveling in South Sudan, make sure to carry enough cash for all transport needs. Buses and minibuses don’t take cards, and ticketing is informal with fares paid directly to drivers. Many rural transports like ‘boksi’ pickups accept cash only and are the main way to get around off the beaten path. Planning ahead with enough South Sudanese Pounds is key.
Public transport in South Sudan largely runs on cash payments. In Juba, you’ll find buses and minibuses where fares must be paid in South Sudanese Pounds directly to drivers. There’s no widespread card or digital payment system yet, and ATMs can be scarce or unreliable. For rural areas, transport options like pick-up trucks (‘boksi’) also only accept cash payments, so carry enough local currency.