Ethiopian birr is the local currency used in the country. Notes available are of 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 denominations. At the airport, any foreign currency can be exchanged in authorized hotels and banks. ETB 3,000 is equivalent to $100.
Banking hours run from 8am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 11am on Saturdays. You can also use Credit cards in the big towns in Ethiopia. You can withdraw money from ATM Machines using Visa or Mastercard.
Credit Cards
- In Ethiopia, American Express, Master, Visa, Diners Club and Cart Blanche, and Euro cards are used.
- Credit cards such as Master Cards and Visa Cards are quickly taking prevalence in the capital, Addis Ababa.
- You can comfortably use your visa card in many branches of Dashen Bank found mostly in the city and major towns.
- However, credit cards are not common in rural areas.
- Beware that most rural areas in Ethiopia are underdeveloped, and credit card facilities can be unavailable.
ATMs
- Almost all banks in Ethiopia in towns and cities have ATMs that are compatible with both Mastercards and International visa cards.
- Most tourist hotels such as Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Mariott Executive Hotel, Golden Tulip, Radisson Blue Hotel and Hilton, have ATMs in the reception area.
- Beware that Plus cards, Foreign Solo Cards, and Cirrus Cards are not compatible with the ATMs here in Ethiopia.
