Money in Ethiopia
Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr. Here is how to pay there, whether to tip, and what common amounts are worth.
- Currency
- ETBEthiopian birr
- Symbol
- Br
- Tipping
- Appreciated
Paying in Ethiopia
Carry cash. Cards are accepted mainly at large hotels in Addis Ababa.
- Cards
- Limited
- Cash
- Boundless Ethiopia says card acceptance is growing but still limited, so bring plenty of cash. Carry many small notes for small purchases, tips and, in southern Ethiopia, photographs.
- ATMs
- Abeba Tours says ATMs are in Addis Ababa and a few other places, and not to rely on them outside the capital. Boundless Ethiopia (Nov 2024) reports most ATMs dispense 40 notes per transaction, capping withdrawals at 8,000 birr, or 4,000 birr when loaded with 100-birr notes.
- Foreign currency
- Boundless Ethiopia says US dollar notes must be from the series issued after 2000 and in good condition, and that drivers and guides may accept tips in foreign currency.
- Exchanging money
- Abeba Tours says US dollars, euros and pounds can easily be exchanged, and travellers' cheques can be exchanged at banks with the purchase receipt.
- Watch out for
- Boundless Ethiopia says converting birr back to your own currency may be difficult, and Abeba Tours says to keep ATM and exchange receipts for that. World Travel Guide (2019) says birr import is limited to 3,000 and foreign currency over US$10,000 must be declared.
Tipping in Ethiopia
Tipping isn't customary in local eateries; about 10% is fair in tourist restaurants. Guides and drivers expect a tip at the end of a tour, in birr or US dollars.
Appreciated: Tipping isn't required, but a tip or rounding up is welcome.
Sources checked: Boundless Ethiopia, Abeba Tours Ethiopia, World Travel Guide, OAT.
Convert to and from ETB
Quick reference
| Amount | USD | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 162 ETB | 182 ETB | 218 ETB |
| 10 | 1,622 ETB | 1,817 ETB | 2,176 ETB |
| 50 | 8,109 ETB | 9,085 ETB | 10,881 ETB |
| 100 | 16,218 ETB | 18,169 ETB | 21,763 ETB |
| 500 | 81,091 ETB | 90,846 ETB | 108,814 ETB |
What each amount is worth in ETB. Mid-market rates from 2 November 2026, 17:00 UTC.
Common questions
What currency does Ethiopia use?
Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB).
Do you need to tip in Ethiopia?
Appreciated. Tipping isn't customary in local eateries; about 10% is fair in tourist restaurants. Guides and drivers expect a tip at the end of a tour, in birr or US dollars.
Can you pay by card in Ethiopia?
Limited. Boundless Ethiopia says card acceptance is growing but still limited, so bring plenty of cash. Carry many small notes for small purchases, tips and, in southern Ethiopia, photographs.
Are there ATMs in Ethiopia?
Abeba Tours says ATMs are in Addis Ababa and a few other places, and not to rely on them outside the capital. Boundless Ethiopia (Nov 2024) reports most ATMs dispense 40 notes per transaction, capping withdrawals at 8,000 birr, or 4,000 birr when loaded with 100-birr notes.