Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Gambia or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Taxis in Gambia are old-school-cash rules. Every single ride I took was paid in dalasis, and drivers were quick to insist on smaller notes. Cards just aren’t part of the system, and apps aren’t present either. If you’re staying near tourist spots, some drivers might accept foreign currency, but they’ll still want it in cash. The safest option is to carry local money, withdraw early in the day, and always keep change on you for taxis.
My experience with taxis in Gambia was that cash is absolutely necessary. The drivers don’t use card readers, and I never once saw anyone pay digitally. You agree the fare beforehand and then settle with cash. Dalasi is the standard, though in some tourist zones they’ll also take euros or dollars, but cash only. ATMs are around, but they run out of money sometimes, so plan ahead. There’s really no way to rely on apps or cards here.
Honestly, taxis in Gambia are cash-only and there’s no getting around it. Don’t expect cards or even working apps, because the system here is very manual. You negotiate directly with drivers, and you’re expected to pay in dalasis, although dollars or euros sometimes work in beach areas. My advice is to always carry small bills, because change is a problem. It’s not high-tech, but if you plan with enough cash on hand, it’s manageable.
In Gambia, taxis are cash-only, no exceptions. I didn’t meet a single driver who accepted card, and there aren’t any reliable apps to book rides. Everything is negotiated upfront, and you hand over dalasis at the end. Even in tourist areas like Senegambia, cash is the only way. ATMs can be patchy, so I recommend withdrawing when you see a working one and carrying enough small bills for daily rides. Don’t expect modern systems here-it’s very traditional.