Tanzanian currency
Are you wondering what currency is used in Tanzania? The currency in this state is the Tanzanian shilling, but, thanks to the high number of tourists, even US dollars are accepted. If, for example, you’re staying in a Lodge or in a Camp, USD and credit cards will certainly be accepted. For what concerns tips and purchases in local markets, the Tanzanian shilling is recommended.
Tanzanian Shilling
The Tanzanian shilling has been part of the local currency since 1966, the year in which it replaced the African shilling. In addition to the 5, 20 and 50 senti and 1 shilingi, bills were also introduced. Even in Zanzibar, a popular destination for those who travel to Tanzania, the local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but dollars are also accepted. In the city, it’s possible to withdraw local currency in cash using a visa card or credit cards. The exchange rate changes from day to day, but we can say that the current proportion is around 2.455 Tanzanian shillings every euro.
Do they accept euros in Tanzania?
The answer is yes, in Tanzania both euros and dollars are accepted. This means that you can take euros with you, but you need to remember that the exchange rates applied to the payments are really high and variable. It’s therefore strongly recommended to exchange euros in banks or ATMs and to make payments only with dollars or Tanzanian shillings.
Is it better to use Euros or Dollars in Tanzania?
This is a question that should not be underestimated. Surely, for those who come from Italy, it’s way more practical to use Euros. The advantage is that you won’t have to make an exchange and you for sure know the coins perfectly, but in certain situations, far from the cities, so in villages or tribes, it is much more practical to have the Tanzanian shilling.
Also for meals payments we recommend using the local currency by changing it in the specific offices.
Payments with credit cards
During a trip to Tanzania you don’t have to worry, banks offer specific POS machines and most of the visa cards are accepted for a withdrawal. If, on the other hand, you prefer not to use cash, but only digital methods, you should know that it is possible to pay with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diner and Access credit cards for most tourist facilities and activities for travelers. Paying by credit card is not advised against, but most of the companies have a high commission charge that is between 6% and 8%
Currency exchange in Tanzania
As mentioned, the Tanzanian shilling was introduced in 1966 and, as for every currency, it changes every day, but we can give you some general information. We can say that with 1 shilling the exchange is about 0.00041 euros. On the other hand, 1 euro corresponds to approximately 2455 Tanzanian shillings.
Some curiosities about the local currency
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Tanzanian shilling was introduced as a substitute for the African shilling in 1966. Today it’s the official currency of the United Republic of Tanzania. Recognizing the different subdivisions of coins may not be easy, but this framework can certainly help you: every shilling is composed of 100 senti.
Cash in Tanzania: how much to calculate in your daily budget
If you need cash you should know that outside of the cities it’s not so easy to find ATMs where to withdraw. This tactic can help you understand how much cash you need to keep on you based on your needs. For those who travel at a low cost, they should consider a figure of about 30 euros per day, this can go up to 40 euros per day for a holiday in sophisticated facilities and entering museums and paid activities.
The daily cost that we have recommended also includes an accommodation facility, obviously the budget is completely personal and it depends on you lifestyle and your needs
