Need cash when I land, best place in Libya? Airport or places in the city?
In Libya, forget about international cards working. ATMs are mostly for locals with Libyan bank cards. Best option is to bring USD or euros and exchange in the city at trusted money changers. The unofficial street rate is much better than what banks or airports offer. Exchange a little at the airport just for transport, then ask your hotel for safe recommendations in town.
Don’t bother with ATMs in Libya if you’re a foreigner. My Wise Visa and Revolut Mastercard both failed at Jumhouria Bank in Benghazi. The airport exchange desk also gave me a bad rate. I had to rely on the black-market exchange rate downtown, which was much higher. Definitely stressful - make sure to arrive with enough foreign cash, or you’ll be stuck.
I landed in Tripoli with euros, changed a little at the airport for taxi fare, and then got a far better rate from a money changer near Martyrs’ Square. Locals at my guesthouse pointed me to Sahara Bank, but their ATMs didn’t accept my Monzo card. Honestly, cash is the only way. Bring euros or USD in small denominations, and you’ll be fine.
At Tripoli Mitiga Airport, there are some exchange desks, but they don’t always have reliable rates. In the city, you’ll find official banks like Jumhouria Bank, Sahara Bank, and Wahda Bank, but international cards generally don’t work. Most travellers bring USD or euros and exchange at money changers in Tripoli or Benghazi. Street rates are much better than official bank rates.