Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Namibia or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
In Namibia, taxis are very old-fashioned in payment. You can only pay cash, and it’s either Namibian dollars or South African rand. Cards are not accepted, and no app-based services exist. This makes it important to keep cash ready, especially smaller bills. Even in Windhoek, which is the capital, taxis were cash only. Outside the city, there’s absolutely no card option. For transport, Namibia is strictly a cash-only country, so plan accordingly.
My experience in Namibia was that taxis don’t do cards at all. Every driver I met wanted Namibian dollars or South African rand in cash. No apps exist to make things easier either, so you just wave down a taxi, agree on the fare, and pay cash. I’d recommend carrying a mix of both currencies-it’s handy since they’re interchangeable. Don’t count on card acceptance anywhere when it comes to local taxis in Namibia. Cash is essential.
When I traveled in Namibia, I realized taxis don’t do anything digital. There’s no card acceptance, and no apps to book with payment built in. Drivers want Namibian dollars or rand, and it’s better to have small notes so there’s no struggle with change. The system is straightforward, but very old-school. If you’re used to tapping your card for rides, Namibia will feel different-you have to rely on cash every time you get into a taxi.
Namibia’s taxis are cash-only. I never saw a driver with a card machine, and there are no apps like Uber or Bolt running here. You pay in Namibian dollars, though South African rand is also accepted since the currencies are linked. It’s simple: agree on a price and hand over cash at the end. Don’t expect card readers or digital payments. Having smaller notes helps because drivers don’t always carry change. It’s an entirely cash-driven system.