The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Notes are available in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 200 birr denominations. In November 2024 the exchange rate is ETB 120 for USD 1. Find the current exchange rates here.
Credit card acceptance is growing but still limited. The number of ATM’s are rapidly increasing. As most ATM only can produce 40 notes, a single transaction is limited to 8.000 birr. Or 4.000 birr when the ATM is loaded with 100 birr notes. Don’t rely completely on ATM’s and bring enough cash as backup. Please note that old series USD banknotes are not accepted, they have to be of the series after 2000.
Be aware it might be not so straightforward to change your birr back to your own currency. Your best bet might be one of the banks at Sheraton or Hilton Hotel. Besides this your driver/ guide doesn’t mind to get his tip in foreign currency, this might help you to balance your budget.
It is advisable to carry enough small notes for small payments and tipping. For southern Ethiopia you need to carry enough small notes to pay for photographs. Only reasonable new notes are accepted.
Local spending varies greatly from person to person, depends on personal preferences and of course what is included in the tour price. For an average spending pattern calculate around 3600 – 4800 birr (USD 30 – 40) per person per day on additional spending. When you stay at the high-end accommodation and take your meals there it will be more. This amount includes lunches, dinners, drinks and small personal spending. It does not include breakfast, excursions, entrance fees, etc. which are usually included in our tour price. Tips and expensive souvenirs are also not included as this is very personal.
Some average prices:
| ETB | USD | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 course lunch | 600-1200 | 5-10 |
| 2 course dinner | 1200-3000 | 10-25 |
| Coffee | 60 | 0.50 |
| Water (1l) | 60 | 0.50 |
| Soft drink | 90 | 0.75 |
| Local beer | 120 | 1 |
| Wine (bottle) | from 1200 | from 10 |
A guideline for tipping:
- ‘Ferenji’ (‘foreigner’) restaurants: about 10% if a service charge is not already included.
- Local restaurants: rounding up the bill, about 5%
- Porter: 60 birr (USD 0,50) per piece of luggage, more for considerable distances at lodges or ie to the cultural guesthouses in Harar.
- Small service (ie taking you somewhere): minimum 100 birr (USD 1).
- Local guides: This is very personal and should be based on satisfaction, our suggestion is 600 – 1200 birr (USD 5 – 10) for half a day to 1200-1800 birr (USD 10-15) per day. Needless to say, higher tips are greatly appreciated.
- Driver/ guide and escort guide: Even more personal, you are spending a lot of time with them. You share special moments and you learn about their life. You can follow the suggestions above but we very much encourage you to follow your own feeling and budget.