Planning a trip to Kenya soon and want to learn about the local currency to prepare your journey? Exchange rates, payment methods, budgets to expect, tipping... Discover everything you need to know about Kenya's currency.

What are the common currencies in Kenya?

The shilling, the local currency

Kenya's national currency is the Kenyan Shilling, represented by the symbol "Ksh". Divided into 100 cents, it exists in both coins and banknotes with the following breakdown:

• Coins: 5, 10, 50 cents, then 1, 5 and 20 Ksh
• Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Ksh

The place of US dollars and euros in Kenya

Regarding international currencies, it is almost always possible to pay in US dollars at most accommodations, restaurants and tourist sites such as national parks. So you can plan a reserve of dollars in addition to Kenyan Shillings. In any case, make sure you have recent banknotes, issued after 2006.

It's also worth noting that some establishments accept payment in euros.

What is the exchange rate between euros and Kenyan shillings?

As of today (March 2023), the euro/Kenyan shilling exchange rate is equivalent to:

• 1 euro = 147.67 Kenyan shillings
• 1 Kenyan shilling = 0.0068 euros

To stay up to date before your departure, remember to check the current exchange rate on a currency converter website such as xe.com.

What is the average salary in Kenya?

The minimum wage in Kenya is 15,120 shillings (approximately 124 euros) per month. In Nairobi and in major coastal cities like Mombasa or Kisumu, the average salary can reach 350, or even 400 euros per month due to tourism activities.

Where and how to exchange currency in Kenya?

The Shilling has gradually gained in value over the past few years. You can convert your currency before departure or once you arrive.

By exchanging your money before you leave, you'll avoid unnecessary bank fees. Nevertheless, to avoid traveling with a large amount of cash, you can exchange part of your currency upon arrival or at any time during your trip.

To exchange your euros for Kenyan shillings or dollars, you can visit currency exchange offices or banks.

Keep in mind that currency exchange offices generally offer the best rates compared to elsewhere. Additionally, it's better to avoid airport currency exchanges and opt for those in city centers which offer better rates.

Note that some hotels and lodges also offer currency exchange services to their guests.

Where to withdraw money in Kenya?

You won't have any difficulty withdrawing money in Kenya. In fact, there are many ATMs throughout the country, whether in large or small cities, in supermarkets and shopping centers, in banks or at the airport.

Good to know: Remember to notify your bank of your Kenya trip before departure to avoid having your card blocked. Indeed, to limit fraud risks, banks sometimes block bank cards to certain international destinations to limit fraud risks. This is also an opportunity to check with your advisor how much commissions are on withdrawals made from Kenya and to negotiate a reduction in fees.

How to pay in Kenya?

Here are the different payment methods most commonly used in Kenya:

Payment in cash

You can pay in cash at most shops in Kenya. We recommend always keeping a small reserve of Kenyan shillings on you for small purchases.

Payment by credit card

If you're more comfortable with credit cards, you have the option to settle your expenses (restaurants, accommodations, activities and excursions, transportation...) by bank card.

You can use a Visa or MasterCard. Visa being the most accepted. Indeed, only certain banks (such as Barclays, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank) accept MasterCard. Rest assured, you won't have any problem finding a compatible ATM.

For those who don't know yet, a card transaction implies a commission. So be sure to calculate each time you check out.

In terms of security, there's nothing to fear. Card payments in Kenya are perfectly safe.

Payment by phone

In recent years, mobile payment has become widely adopted in Kenya. You can pay for your purchases by phone in many shops, with taxis... The mobile money platform most used in Kenya is M-Pesa, whose historical operator is Safaricom.

To use it, you need to buy a Safaricom SIM card and download the app on your smartphone. Once your account is activated, you can transfer money from your bank account or deposit money directly into your M-Pesa account.

What budget to plan for a trip to Kenya?

Wondering what budget to plan for your Kenya trip? Here are the average prices to know to give you an overview:

What budget to plan for accommodations in Kenya?

As everywhere else, the accommodation budget in Kenya depends on the services and level of comfort desired. For reference, here are the average prices for each type of lodging:

• Cost of a night in a campsite, youth hostel and budget hotel: expect between 10 and 30 euros.
• Cost of a night in a hotel: expect on average between 30 and 110 euros for a 3* or 4* hotel and up to 500 euros per night for luxury hotels.
• Cost of a night camping in a reserve and in national parks: expect between 20 and 50 euros per night.
• Cost of a night in a lodge and canvas camps during a safari: expect between 150 and 300 euros per night minimum (500 euros with full board).

What budget to plan for food in Kenya?

Here are the average prices for dining at restaurants in Kenya:

• Cost of a full meal in a very cheap restaurant or at a street food stand: less than 3 euros;
• Cost of a full meal in a budget restaurant: between 3 and 7 euros;
• Cost of a full meal in a mid-range restaurant: between 7 and 12 euros;
• Cost of a full meal in a upscale restaurant: approximately 20 euros.

What budget to plan for a safari in Kenya?

The prices of Kenyan safaris are highly variable as they depend on many factors (the type of accommodation, the entrance fee to the park or reserve, vehicle rental, guide and driver services, meals...). Generally speaking, expect between 150 and 400 euros per person per day depending on the package chosen.

What budget to plan for transportation in Kenya?

Here are the average prices to know to plan your transportation budget for a Kenya trip:

• Cost of a car rental: expect between 40 euros and 100 euros per day depending on the type of vehicle (city car or 4x4);
• Cost of a train ticket: the price varies between 10 and 50 euros depending on the distance and travel class;
• Cost of a bus ticket: the price varies between a few cents and about ten euros depending on the distance and type of bus;
• Cost of a plane ticket: there are a few low-cost airlines (such as Jambojet, Fly 540, East African...) to get around Kenya by plane. For reference, expect approximately 50 euros to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa.

Should you tip in Kenya?

Tipping is not mandatory in Kenya. Nevertheless, it is highly appreciated and can help support staff. Generally speaking, most accommodations and restaurants charge an additional 10% of the bill for service. If this is not the case, it is customary to leave a tip of the same amount.

Furthermore, it is also customary to tip hotel and lodge porters (approximately $10 per bag) and to tip guides during safaris (approximately $10 per day per person).