Travel Tips

Ethiopia's official currency is the known as the Ethiopian Birr (ETB) or simply Birr. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 200 Birr. Tourists can exchange foreign currencies such as USD, EUR and GBP for Ethiopian Birr upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and at various banks throughout the country. Banks are open between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Since exchange rates fluctuate daily, it is advisable to check the websites of commercial banks in Ethiopia for the latest information.

 Major credit and debit cards like Visa and MasterCard are accepted at some hotels, Ethiopian Airlines, and larger businesses, especially those catering to tourists. However, it is not advisable to rely on credit cards only, as they may not be accepted at local restaurants, shops, and in smaller towns. You can use Visa and MasterCard at ATMs in Addis Ababa and in major towns to withdraw Birr.