Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in DRC (DR Congo) or if card payments are common. Advice?
Bring cash (francs or USD) for transport in DR Congo. Use Visa at Rawbank or Ecobank in Kinshasa if you need to withdraw. Mastercard is unreliable. Taxis and minibuses don’t take cards - cash is the only option. Break large notes into smaller ones at shops before boarding.
My Revolut Mastercard didn’t work at UBA or Ecobank ATMs in Kinshasa, and I ended up short on francs. Had to borrow cash from another traveller at my guesthouse near Matonge just to get a moto-taxi. Public transport is 100% cash-based. Don’t rely on your card at all for moving around - even Uber-style apps don’t exist.
I stayed near Gombe in Kinshasa and used Rawbank ATMs with my Wise Visa, worked fine to get francs. Public transport like taxis and minibuses were all cash-only. I usually paid 2,000-3,000 CDF for short hops. Locals suggested carrying small bills because drivers almost never have change. Cards worked at big supermarkets like Shoprite in Gombe, but never for transport.
Definitely carry cash. In Kinshasa, public transport is mostly minibuses (“esprit de mort”), shared taxis, and moto-taxis. None of them take cards. You’ll need Congolese francs for short rides, though US dollars are sometimes accepted for longer trips. ATMs from Rawbank or Ecobank in Gombe usually work with Visa cards, but machines can be empty. Always withdraw in the city and keep small bills - drivers rarely have change.