Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Lebanon or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
I had a great conversation with a taxi driver in Lebanon who drove me from the National Museum to the trendy Mar Mikhael area. He told me he'd had a card reader before, but it was too much of a hassle, and the local bank fees were ridiculous. He said cash was easier for him and for customers. The fare was just $5, and the whole transaction was super quick and friendly. I didn't even try to use a card after that. It was a good reminder that a lot of places outside of major tourist hubs still run on cash.
For budget travel in Lebanon, cash is your best friend. A lot of places, especially taxis, don't accept cards because of the high fees and unstable economic situation. I found that I could get around the city for relatively cheap using shared taxis, but you need to pay with cash. My advice is to get a decent amount of US Dollars and convert a small amount to Lebanese Pounds for daily spending. ATMs can be unreliable, and some charge high fees, so it's safer to have cash with you.
I just finished a trip to Beirut and my number one piece of advice for getting around is to always have cash. Don't even bother with your credit card for a taxi. I tried to use my Visa with the CTaxi app and the driver asked for cash anyway. US dollars are almost always accepted at the same or a better rate than the Lebanese Pound. For a trip from Hamra to downtown, I would expect to pay around $5-$10 USD. Be sure to negotiate your fare beforehand, as many traditional taxis don't have meters.
In Lebanon, cash is king, especially for taxis. Both the Lebanese Pound (LBP) and US Dollar (USD) are widely accepted for taxi fares, but it's important to have smaller bills as drivers often don't have change for large denominations. While there are a few ride-hailing apps like CTaxi and Allo Taxi that offer card payment options, they are not universally used, and many drivers prefer cash to avoid transaction fees. It's best to carry a mix of USD and LBP to be safe, which you can get from ATMs at major banks like the Bank of Beirut or through money transfer services.