Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Tuvalu, or should I carry local cash?
Locals mentioned that most taxi drivers in Tuvalu don’t have card terminals, even around the main population center. I traveled with a mix of cash and card but stuck to cash for rides to Nanumea and Funafuti Airport. Carrying enough Australian dollars helps avoid surprises.
Cash is definitely the way to go in Tuvalu for taxis. While staying at the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel, it became clear that electronic payments weren’t an option for local transport. Taxis and small shuttles happily took cash, and carrying small denominations made paying simpler.
Spending time near the Vaiaku area, I relied on cash for taxis and transport. Attempts to use my Visa card were unsuccessful because of lack of infrastructure. ATMs are extremely limited, so I recommend bringing ample Australian dollars before arrival.
Tuvalu’s transport system is very informal, and most taxi or shuttle services in Funafuti expect cash in Australian dollars. Card machines are practically non-existent. I carried AUD 50-70 in cash to cover taxis and other day-to-day costs, which worked well for short distances.