Money rules and exchange rates change, so the details live in the guides below, which are kept up to date. This page tells you which one to read.
Which guide do I need?
- What does the money look like? See Ethiopian birr notes.
- How do I change money, and where? See exchanging money in Ethiopia.
- Can I use my card or an ATM? See using foreign cards and ATMs.
- Is it safe to change money on the street? See avoiding unlicensed currency exchange.
The short version
The birr is the national currency. You cannot normally buy it before you leave home, so plan to change money after you arrive, at a bank, a licensed exchange counter or an official ATM. Keep your exchange receipts, because you may need them if you want to change leftover birr back into foreign currency before you leave. Carry some cash in small notes for taxis, markets and tips, even if you plan to pay by card elsewhere.
For prices of everyday things, see shopping in Ethiopia and gifts. To use a phone for payments, you first need a local SIM: see buying a SIM card.
