Exploring Tanzania’s currency: Tanzanian shillings
Exploring Tanzania’s currency: Tanzanian shillings
If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania, the currency you’ll use is the Tanzanian shilling, usually shown as TZS.
It is the official currency of Tanzania and the local currency you’ll need for everyday spending, from taxis and markets to food, tips and smaller local transactions.
Cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants and safari businesses, especially in places like Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar. But cash still matters.
Whether you’re heading on safari, relaxing by the coast or climbing Kilimanjaro, having Tanzanian shillings ready before arrival can make the first part of your trip much easier.
Quick facts: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
| Code | TZS |
| Also written as | TSh or shilling |
| Symbol | N$ (also $) |
| Subunit | Cent (100 cents = 1 shilling) |
| Current banknotes | 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shillings |
| Common coins | 50, 100, 200 and 500 shillings |
| Where used | Tanzania |
| Best currency for Tanzania | Tanzanian shillings |
| Useful backup currency | US dollars, in some tourist settings |
| Card use | Common in some hotels and larger businesses |
| Cash use | Useful for markets, taxis, tips and smaller towns |
What’s the currency in Tanzania?
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. Its official currency code is TZS, although you may also see it written as TSh in travel guides, prices or currency tools.
The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966, after Tanzania gained independence and moved towards its own national money system.
Today, the Bank of Tanzania issues the country’s banknotes and coins.
If you see people searching for “currency in Tanzania”, “currency for Tanzania”, “currency of Tanzania” or “TZS currency”, they are all talking about the same thing: Tanzanian shillings.
Tanzanian shilling exchange rate: what to check
The Tanzanian shilling exchange rate changes, so the amount you get for your British pounds can vary from day to day.
If you are checking the Tanzania currency exchange rate online, remember that the headline figure is not always the travel money rate you will receive.
A currency converter may show the mid market rate, which is useful for a rough idea.
But when you actually exchange money, the final amount depends on the provider’s rate, stock, delivery costs and any hidden fees.
When comparing Tanzanian shilling currency rates, look at the real total: how many Tanzanian shillings will arrive in your hand for your pounds?
Currency converter: how to convert currencies without confusion
A currency converter is handy when you want to compare Tanzania currency to GBP or work out what something costs while travelling.
You might use it to check restaurant prices, safari tips, accommodation costs, or market purchases.
But don’t treat every converter figure as the rate you’ll get for cash. Banks, forex providers, travel money services and money transfer companies can all use different margins.
For travel cash, check the actual rate offered at checkout.
For money transfers or cross border payments, compare specialist services separately, as they are not the same as buying physical currency for a trip.
What currency is best to take to Tanzania?
The best currency for Tanzania is the TZS Tanzanian shilling.
It is the local currency and the money you’ll use for everyday spending, including taxis, local food, markets, tips, buses, cafés and smaller businesses.
US dollars are still recognised in parts of the tourism industry, especially for safaris, some hotels and larger tour services.
However, local goods and services in Tanzania should generally be priced and paid for in Tanzanian shillings, so don’t rely on dollars for normal daily spending.
A good travel setup is simple: take Tanzanian shillings for everyday cash, a card for bigger payments, and a small backup of clean US dollars if your itinerary involves safari or tourism services that quote in USD.
Don’t worry if you get back from Tanzania with leftover holiday cash; we can take care of your Tanzania currency to pound conversion, and we offer the best Tanzania currency rates.
Where to buy Tanzanian shillings in the UK
| Option | What to expect |
| Specialist bureau (online) | The simplest option for less common currencies: compare rates and order ahead. Get the best rates and swift home delivery with Manor FX. |
| High street banks | Some currencies may need ordering in advance; availability can vary by branch. |
| Post Office | Stocks a range of travel money, but less common currencies may be limited or unavailable. |
| Airport exchange | Convenient, but higher costs; stock of rarer currencies can be unpredictable. |
Buy your shillings now
Are US dollars accepted in Tanzania?
US dollars may be accepted in some tourist settings, but they are not the main currency for local transactions.
Hotels, safari companies and some tourism businesses may quote in dollars, but shops, taxis, markets, restaurants and local services usually expect Tanzanian shillings.
If you do take dollars, make sure the notes are clean, recent and undamaged, as older or damaged bills may be refused.
Euros and British pounds can also be exchanged in some places, but they are less useful for day-to-day spending than Tanzanian shillings.
Banknotes and coins in Tanzanian currency
The Bank of Tanzania issues Tanzanian banknotes. Current notes include 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 shillings.
The notes feature a mix of Tanzanian leaders, wildlife and landmarks, so your wallet might include a little preview of the country before you’ve even reached the national parks.
Coins are used for smaller values and include 50, 100, 200 and 500 shillings.
Smaller notes and coins are useful for markets, tips, public transport and small purchases.
A 10,000 shilling note may be fine in a hotel or supermarket, but awkward for a tiny street snack.
Tanzania currency history in brief
The Tanzanian shilling has been part of Tanzania’s story since 1966. It replaced the East African shilling, which had been used across parts of East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Creating a national currency was more than a practical change. It helped the country build its own monetary system and separate from the colonial currency structures that came before it.
Today, the shilling is a normal part of daily life in Tanzania, used everywhere from city shops to rural markets.
Travel advice for Tanzania
Before travelling to Tanzania, check the latest official travel advice, entry rules and health guidance.
British passport holders need a visa, and you may need proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country at risk of yellow fever transmission.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially if you are going on safari, visiting remote national parks, climbing Kilimanjaro or travelling between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Medical facilities can be limited outside Dar es Salaam, and emergency evacuation can be difficult in remote areas.
For day-to-day travel, keep some Tanzanian shillings in cash, avoid carrying all your money in one place, and follow local guidance in national parks and wildlife areas.
Cash, cards and hidden fees
Cash is still useful in Tanzania, especially outside major hotels and tourist businesses.
You’ll want Tanzanian shillings for markets, taxis, tips, local buses, food stalls, small restaurants and towns where card machines are less common.
Cards can work well for accommodation, larger restaurants and some safari companies, but check your bank’s fees before you go.
ATM fees, withdrawal charges and poor conversion rates can all increase your trip cost.
If you withdraw cash, choose to be charged in Tanzanian shillings rather than pounds.
Letting an ATM or card machine convert the payment into GBP can mean a worse exchange rate.
Cash tips for safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
Your Tanzania budget depends heavily on your trip.
A local food stop in Dar es Salaam is very different from a Serengeti safari lodge, a Zanzibar beach resort, or a climb up Kilimanjaro.
For Mount Kilimanjaro, check what your operator includes. You may need cash for tips, snacks, kit hire, porters or extra services.
For safari, guides and drivers are often tipped in cash, and some tour costs may be quoted in US dollars.
In Zanzibar, cards are more useful at larger hotels, but Tanzanian shillings are still handy for taxis, beach cafés, markets, and smaller restaurants.
How to get Tanzanian currency with Manor FX
Tanzanian shillings are not as easy to find in the UK as euros or US dollars.
Manor FX helps UK travellers order harder-to-find travel cash and save money before they fly.
You can buy Tanzanian shillings online with Manor FX, choose secure home delivery, or collect from the Manor FX bureau near Heathrow.
We always have the best rates, so no need to track exchange rates, plus all conversions are fee-free!
Ordering foreign currency in advance can save time, reduce arrival stress and help you start your trip with local currency ready for taxis, tips and first-day spending.
FAQs
The best currency to take to Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling. It is the official currency and the easiest option for everyday spending. US dollars can be useful in some tourist settings, but shillings are best for local purchases.
As of 11 June 2026, £30 is roughly 105,558 Tanzanian shillings. The exact amount will depend on today’s exchange rate, provider fees, and when you exchange your money.
Yes, you can buy Tanzanian shillings in the UK from specialist providers such as Manor FX. Because it is not as widely stocked as euros or US dollars, it is sensible to order in advance.
As of 11 June 2026, £100 is roughly 351,860 Tanzanian shillings. Treat this as an approximate guide, as TZS exchange rates move.
Tanzanian shillings are mainly used in Tanzania and are not widely accepted in other countries. If you have leftover cash after your trip, you can sell it back rather than trying to spend it elsewhere.
Yes, taking some Tanzanian shillings before you travel is a good idea. It gives you cash for arrival, taxis, snacks and tips without needing to find an ATM or exchange office straight away.
No. Manor FX provides travel money in cash, including Tanzanian shillings for your trip. We do not offer international money transfers, cross-border payments or business payment services.
If you need cash for travel, you can buy Tanzanian shillings online with Manor FX and choose secure home delivery or collection near Heathrow. If you need to send money to Tanzania or pay someone overseas, you’ll need to compare specialist money transfer providers instead.