Ethiopia
Currency in Ethiopia: what to use and how to exchange
Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB), floating since 2024, so check the rate before you fly. Bring clean US dollar or euro cash for exchange and carry small birr notes for markets, fuel and tips; cards work in Addis Ababa hotels but rarely outside the capital.
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GuideEthiopia
Key facts
- Currency
- Ethiopian birr (ETB), symbol Br; 1 birr = 100 santim
- Exchange ratecheck
- Floating since 2024 — check the rate on the day you travel
- Best cash to bringcheck
- Clean, unmarked US dollars or euros; newer notes
- Where to exchangecheck
- Banks and licensed exchange offices in Addis Ababa; hotels give worse rates
- Cardscheck
- Accepted at larger Addis Ababa hotels and some airlines; assume cash elsewhere
- ATMscheck
- Available in Addis Ababa; fewer and less reliable outside the capital
- Cash limitcheck
- Declare amounts over USD 3,000 on arrival (check current rule)
- Small notes
- Keep 10–100 birr notes for markets, fuel, water and tips
Details
The birr is the only currency you can spend day to day. Since the 2024 float, the official rate moves with the market, so the figure you saw last month may be wrong by the time you land. Check the rate the morning you fly and again on arrival, and treat any quote more than a few days old as a guess.
Bring cash in US dollars or euros. Notes should be clean, unmarked and not torn — Ethiopian banks and exchange offices are strict about condition, and older or damaged notes are often refused or given a worse rate. Carry a mix of denominations so you can exchange a small amount at the airport and the rest in town.
Exchange at a bank branch or a licensed exchange office in Addis Ababa. Hotel desks are convenient but usually give a weaker rate, and informal street changers carry counterfeit and legal risk. Ask for a receipt, and keep it — you may need it if you exchange birr back on departure.
Cards work at larger Addis Ababa hotels, some airlines and a few upmarket restaurants. Outside the capital, plan on cash. ATMs exist in Addis Ababa and a handful of larger towns, but outages and daily limits are common, so do not rely on one machine.
The birr is not freely convertible outside Ethiopia. Change what you need, and expect to convert leftover birr before you leave or accept that you may not be able to change it at home.
Summary table
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Currency | Ethiopian birr (ETB), 100 santim = 1 birr |
| Rate | Floating since 2024 — check on the day |
| Cash to bring | Clean US dollars or euros, mixed notes |
| Best exchange | Bank or licensed office in Addis Ababa |
| Hotel exchange | Convenient, usually a worse rate |
| Cards | Addis Ababa hotels and airlines; cash elsewhere |
| ATMs | Addis Ababa and larger towns; outages common |
| Leftover birr | Convert before departure; hard to change abroad |
Rates, limits and card acceptance change; confirm locally.
Tips
Carry small birr notes. Markets, fuel stops, water sellers and guides rarely have change for a 200 birr note, and you will lose time hunting for it.
Split your cash: keep a day's spending in a pocket and the rest in a money belt or hotel safe. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in Addis Ababa's busier areas.
Photograph your exchange receipts and note the rate you got. If you need to change birr back, the paper trail helps.
Budget in birr, not dollars. See the country budget page for daily figures and the tipping page for what to leave guides and drivers.
If you are heading north, remember the current advice against all travel to Lalibela, Gondar, Axum and the Simien — check before you plan any exchange around those towns.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian birr (ETB), divided into 100 santim. It has floated since 2024, so the rate against the dollar or euro moves; check it on the day you travel. US dollars are sometimes accepted for tours and some hotels, but day-to-day spending is in birr.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Ethiopia?
A bank branch or licensed exchange office in Addis Ababa usually gives the best rate. Airport desks and hotel receptions are convenient but weaker. Avoid street changers: counterfeit notes and legal trouble are real risks. Keep your receipt in case you change birr back.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Ethiopia?
Bring cash. Cards work at larger Addis Ababa hotels, some airlines and a few upmarket restaurants, but outside the capital assume cash only. ATMs exist in Addis Ababa and larger towns, though outages and daily limits are common, so carry a backup.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNational Bank of Ethiopia
- officialEthiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- secondaryWikivoyage – Ethiopia