Tanzania
Currency in Tanzania: what to use and how to exchange
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), roughly 2,500 per US$1 in 2026 (check). Confirm with your operator which currency and payment method they accept before you fly: safaris, lodges and park fees are often quoted in US dollars, while markets, taxis and tips are paid in shillings. Carry both, plus a backup card.
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GuideTanzania
Key facts
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); about 2,500 per US$1 in 2026 (check)
- Best cash to bring
- US dollars and shillings; confirm with your operator which currency they want (check)
- Where to change
- Banks and licensed bureaux de change in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Stone Town; compare rates before changing (check)
- Cards
- Reported at hotels, lodges and larger city shops; acceptance varies, so carry backup cash (check)
- ATMs
- Reported in cities and larger towns, less reliable outside them; carry a second card and backup cash (check)
- Tipping
- Expected on safari and climbs; follow your operator's guideline
- Time zone
- East Africa Time, UTC+3 all year
Details
Tanzania runs on two currencies in practice. The shilling is the legal tender and what you use day to day: markets, dala-dalas, small restaurants, tips, bottled water. The US dollar is widely used in the tourism industry, where park fees, lodge rates, balloon safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs and many transfers are often quoted in dollars. Which currency an operator actually wants on the day varies, so ask before you travel rather than assuming.
That split decides your packing. Bring a mix: US dollars in cash for the big-ticket items your operator asks to be paid on the ground, and shillings for everything else. If you arrive with only large dollar notes, you may spend your first day hunting for change.
Dollar notes are checked closely in Tanzania. Travellers commonly report that notes which are old, torn, inked, folded or written on are refused by banks, bureaux and hotels, so carry clean, newer notes in good condition and keep them flat (check).
Shillings come in notes and coins. Expect to handle a lot of cash in small transactions; keep a stack of small notes for tips and taxi fares.
Summary table
- Ask your lodge or operator whether they want dollars or shillings before you arrive.
- Keep small shilling notes for tips, water and taxi fares.
- Carry a second card and keep it separate from the first.
- Compare rates at a couple of banks or bureaux before changing a large amount.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Currency | Tanzanian shilling (TZS) |
| Rate, 2026 estimate | About 2,500 TZS per US$1 (check) |
| US dollars accepted | Often for hotels, lodges, tour operators and park fees; confirm with your operator (check) |
| Cards accepted | Reported at hotels, lodges, larger shops and supermarkets in cities; varies by place (check) |
| ATMs | Reported in cities and towns; Visa and Mastercard most reliable; carry backup cash (check) |
| Best exchange spots | Banks and licensed bureaux in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Stone Town; compare rates (check) |
| Cash to bring | A mix of US dollars and shillings, plus a backup card |
| Tipping | Expected on safari and climbs; follow your operator's guideline |
Rates, note-condition rules and card acceptance change; confirm with your operator and bank before you fly (check).
Tips
Do not plan to pay for a safari or climb by card on arrival. Many operators ask for cash, and some add a card surcharge. Confirm the payment method when you book, and ask whether they accept shillings and at what rate.
Airport exchange counters are convenient; town banks and bureaux may give a better rate, but this varies, so compare before changing a large amount (check). Changing a small amount on arrival for immediate needs is a reasonable default, then change the rest in Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam or Stone Town.
ATMs are reported in cities and larger towns and less reliable the further you go from them. Withdraw during the day in busy areas, cover your PIN, and do not accept help from strangers at the machine. Carry backup cash in case a machine is empty or your card is refused.
Keep your currency exchange receipts. Travellers report being asked for them when changing shillings back on departure (check).
If you are heading to Zanzibar, remember it uses the same currency as the mainland; you do not need a separate exchange.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Tanzania?
The Tanzanian shilling (TZS), about 2,500 per US$1 in 2026 (check). US dollars are widely used for safaris, lodges and park fees, but day-to-day spending is in shillings. Confirm with your operator which currency they want.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Tanzania?
Banks and licensed bureaux de change in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Stone Town are the usual choices; compare rates before changing a large amount (check). Airport counters are convenient, so change a small amount there for immediate needs.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Tanzania?
Bring both. Cards are reported at hotels, lodges and larger city shops, but markets, small restaurants, taxis and many operators want cash (check). Carry clean US dollar notes plus shillings, keep a backup card, and confirm accepted payment methods with your operator in advance.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBank of Tanzania
- officialTanzania Tourism Board
- officialTanzania Revenue Authority – customs
- secondaryWikivoyage – Tanzania