Today, I’m going to share some money tips and tricks for traveling to Kenya.
How much cash should I bring? What currencies are accepted in Kenya? Are ATMs readily available? Can you use a credit card in Kenya? These are some of the common questions we receive when organizing your vacations in Kenya.
By managing your currency and money wisely while in Kenya, you can potentially save between 5% and 10% of your total travel budget.
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling.
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), commonly referred to as “bob.” As of September 15, 2023, the exchange rate is approximately 0.0068 USD per Kenyan shilling, meaning 1 USD is equivalent to about 146 Kenyan shillings. The currency is available in denominations ranging from 20 to 1,000 shilling bills and coins from 40 cents to 1 shilling.
The Kenyan shilling is a fairly stable currency in relation to the major currencies € and US dollar.
Other currencies accepted in Kenya
1. U.S. dollar
U.S. dollar are accepted in most places. In fact, as a tourist, when you ask for a price or quote for a transfer, they usually quote you in US dollars.
If you bring U.S. dollars to Kenya, make sure the bills are from 2006 or later, as older bills may not be accepted.
Some travelers suggest that when exchanging euros for U.S. dollars at a bureau de change in Kenya, you might get a better exchange rate by requesting $100 bills instead of $10 bills. I haven’t been able to verify this personally, so if you have experience with this, please share it in the comments so we can pass the information along to other readers.
2. The Euro
The euro is accepted in some hotels, lodges, and tourist shops, but less commonly than USD.
The euro is not commonly used in Kenya. If you have euros in cash, your first step upon arriving should be to visit a bank or exchange office to convert them into the local currency, the Kenyan shilling.
Generally, you can exchange euros at most banks in Kenya. However, it’s advisable to do this in larger cities to ensure availability and avoid any potential issues with currency exchange.
How can you save money on your trip to Kenya?
To save on commissions and exchange rates, follow these tips. With careful planning, you can achieve significant savings on your money in Kenya.
Cards that are commission-free for traveling to Kenya
Cards that are commission-free for traveling to Kenya.
Understanding the terms and conditions of your credit or debit card is crucial when traveling abroad and using different currencies. Choosing the wrong card could significantly increase your travel expenses.
1) My favorite debit card: Revolut
Since we first downloaded the Revolut app, which is one of our favorite cards and apps, not only for traveling but also for our daily expenses.
What makes the Revolut card our favorite?
- It has the lowest commissions
- It is very easy to control all your expenses. Payments appear instantly and not after 2-3 days, as is the case with most credit cards.
- The Revolut App is very intuitive and easy to use.
- By creating virtual cards in seconds, you can receive a card number in less than 5 seconds (virtual card).
- In a few minutes you have signed up and in a few days you will receive your Revolut card.
- No maintenance fees
- You choose the plan that best suits your needs
- More transparency than traditional cards
- You can split payments with your friends or send, in seconds, money to your friends who have the Revolut App.
- If you think you have lost the card, you can freeze it. If you find it, thaw it and it is operational again. If you don’t find it, you cancel it definitively and ask for another one.
- And much more…
Here is an example of how you can save money with a card without commissions:
A few weeks ago, two friends went from Barcelona to New York, and bought the same coffee in a coffee shop. They paid with different cards and realized that the bank had charged them 19 cents more for the same coffee. Why? Basically because traditional banks charge hidden fees with transactions in other currencies.
You may think that 19 cents for a coffee is not much, but it is. Specifically, 19 cents on the price of coffee is 4% more expensive for paying with a traditional card instead of a card without commissions.
If we pay $1,000 the cumulative savings amount is $40 for using Revolut instead of the traditional bank card. If you want to save money in Kenya, my recommendation is to use a card without commissions.
That’s why if you want to save up to 4% in bank fees, it is best to use a no-fee card like Revolut.
I share with you the different plans that REVOLUT has in the UK and in the US:
2) N26: the other card without commissions complementary to Revolut
For our trips to Kenya, we use the N26 card to make commission-free payments and withdraw cash from ATMs.
Ideally, most travelers combine this with another card to maximize their commission-free transactions each month.
Additionally, I recommend carrying a traditional credit card from a well-established bank. This ensures you have a backup payment option in case a terminal does not accept debit cards.
3) Wise
Wise is one of the cards that allow you to withdraw up to 200 euros without commissions. Since there are no maintenance fees, it is worth asking for it and having it as a backup for when we travel.
Additional tips for saving money on your trip to Kenya
How to handle exchange rates at ATMs and payment terminals?
When we travel outside the US or UK zone and pay with our VISA or Mastercard, it is common that the cashier or the ATM ask us if we accept a certain exchange rate.
For example, we withdraw 100€ at an ATM and it asks us if we want to be charged 100€ or $107.
When an external bank or ATM asks us to accept an exchange rate, we must refuse the proposal, as they will generally offer us worse exchange rate conditions than our financial institution. Especially there will be a lot of difference if we compare it with our Revolut card, and it is very easy to check. When you take out money or pay with your Revolut card, check with the amount they want to exchange, say that you don’t accept to pay in $ with the exchange rate they offer you, and pay in the local currency with your Revolut. After a few seconds, the amount will be charged to the Revolut APP and you will see how with a simple good choice you have saved money that otherwise would have been kept by a bank.
Which ATMs should you use to withdraw money during our holidays in Kenya?
When withdrawing money abroad, it’s important to choose your ATM carefully.
Generally, ATMs affiliated with financial institutions provide better terms than standalone machines, which you might find on the street or in airports. Standalone ATMs often have higher withdrawal fees compared to those at bank branches. Therefore, I recommend seeking out bank ATMs for withdrawals and avoiding the standalone machines commonly found in urban areas.
How to pay in Kenya
In Kenya, you can use either the local currency, the Kenyan shilling, or U.S. dollars for payments. Although many prices may be quoted in U.S. dollars for tourists, you can pay in local currency for most transactions.
Debit card payments are commonly accepted, especially at hotels and tourist sites. Since card payments are processed in local currency, I recommend using Revolut or N26 to minimize bank fees.
Other money-saving information
Take out a travel insurance policy to Kenya with a 7% discount
If you are going to Kenya, I recommend that you take out travel insurance that can cover you for cancellation insurance or any other medical emergency during the trip.
If you contract the insurance through our links you have a 7% discount in Chapka:
More information about Kenya
- Seeing the Great Migration in Kenya: An Unforgettable Natural Spectacle
- TRIP TO HELP, WINNER OF THE AFRICA WTM RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
- How much does a Kenya Safari Cost?
- How to make a sustainable trip to Kenya: Tips & Tricks
- Sustainable Safari in Tanzania
- Sustainable Travel in Tanzania
- Money in Kenya: tips and tricks
- What is the best time to travel to Kenya?
- Tanzania or Kenya: Which of these is the best safari?
- Our Kenya Safari Experience
- 10 days in Zanzibar: For independent and first time travelers
- 5-day safari in Tanzania