Money is one of the easiest things to get right in Nairobi — and one of the easiest to quietly overpay on. Here's how to pay smart in Nairobi, Kenya: the currency, cards versus cash, what to budget, transport payments and tipping, with the local specifics just an in-app question away.
The currency & how to pay
Shilling kenyan (KES) — ayez un peu d'argent liquide pour les marchés et les petits vendeurs ; les guichets automatiques sont largement disponibles dans le quartier des affaires (CBD) et les grands centres commerciaux. In short, lead with a card that charges no foreign transaction fees for most spending — it gives you the best exchange rate and the most protection — and keep a little local cash for markets, tips and the small places cards don't reach. Whether you're at a shop terminal or an ATM in Nairobi, always choose to be charged in the local currency, never your home currency: the 'home currency' option builds in a markup that's almost always worse than your card's own rate.
- Lead with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for most spending
- Carry some local cash for markets, tips and small vendors
- Always pay in the local currency in Nairobi, never your home currency
What things cost in Nairobi
As a rough guide, plan around Voyageurs à petit budget : 30–60 $ ; milieu de gamme : 80–180 $ ; luxe : 250 $+ par jour in Nairobi — adjust up for boutique hotels and fine dining, down for hostels, street food and free sights. Set a daily number before you go and track it loosely so a few splurges don't quietly blow the budget. Many of the best experiences here — wandering neighborhoods, markets and viewpoints — cost little or nothing.
- Budget guide: Voyageurs à petit budget : 30–60 $ ; milieu de gamme : 80–180 $ ; luxe : 250 $+ par jour
- Set a daily spend for Nairobi and track it loosely
- Mix paid highlights with free walks, markets and viewpoints
Getting around & paying for transport
Utilisez des taxis via application (Bolt, Uber) pour la sécurité et la commodité, et des taxis au compteur ou des services de navette enregistrés pour les transferts aéroportu ; la circulation peut être dense, alors prévoyez du temps supplémentaire. Les Matatus (minibus partagés) sont bon marché pour les courts trajets mais sont bondés et informels. Wherever you can, use the official transport payment method — a transit card, pass or contactless tap — rather than paying a premium in cash, and agree fares or use a meter or a rideshare app for taxis to avoid being overcharged.
- Use the official transit card, pass or contactless tap
- Agree the fare or use a meter / rideshare app for taxis
- Keep small change for short rides and tickets
Tipping in Nairobi
Tipping customs vary a lot between countries, so it's worth knowing the local norm in Kenya before you arrive rather than assuming your home habit. As a sensible default, round up or leave a small token for good service where tipping is customary, and never feel pressured where it isn't. For the exact, up-to-date tipping etiquette in Nairobi — restaurants, taxis, hotels and guides — just ask Mike in the app.
- Learn the local tipping norm for Kenya before you go
- Round up for good service where tipping is customary
- Ask Mike for the exact tipping etiquette in Nairobi
Money-smart in Nairobi
A few habits keep more money in your pocket in Nairobi: withdraw cash from bank ATMs (not airport or tourist-strip exchange kiosks, which have the worst rates), take out larger amounts less often, decline any machine's offer to 'convert' to your home currency, and keep a backup card stored separately in case one is lost or blocked.
- Use bank ATMs, not airport exchange kiosks
- Decline 'home currency' conversion at every ATM and till
- Carry a backup card stored separately from your main wallet
