Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in Northern Mariana Islands - cash only, or do cards work too?
I paid cash on the buses in Saipan as cards aren’t accepted yet. The fare is modest, about 50 cents to a dollar, so just carry small bills and coins. ATMs are easy to find in the towns, but buses stay cash only for now.
It’s inconvenient that Northern Mariana Islands still rely on cash payments for buses. There’s no card or mobile payment on public transport. If you’re not carrying US dollars, you’ll struggle. ATMs are limited to the main islands, so cash management is key for smooth travel.
If you’re using public transport in the Northern Mariana Islands, carry small denominations of US dollars for bus fares. Drivers usually don’t accept cards or make change for large bills. ATMs that accept Visa and Mastercard are found mostly in Saipan, so plan ahead if you’ll be using buses in more remote areas.
In the Northern Mariana Islands, public buses and shuttles generally require cash fares paid directly to the driver-exact change is encouraged. The currency used is the US dollar, so no need for currency exchange if coming from the US. ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard are available in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, but card acceptance on buses is rare.