Samoa currency and travel money tips
Planning a trip to Samoa from the UK?
This guide to Samoa currency walks you through what to expect, how to handle your money, and how to get good value without feeling like you are revising a finance textbook.
What is the currency of Samoa?
The currency used in Samoa is the Samoan tala, usually shortened to Samoan tala or just tala.
The Samoa currency code is WST, and its symbol is the dollar sign ($).
The tala is the official currency of Samoa, used in both busy Apia and on every smaller island in this South Pacific country.
When people talk about currency in Samoa or Samoa island currency, they mean WST.
Samoan tala in everyday life
The tala is divided into 100 cents, called sene.
You will see notes for larger amounts and coins for smaller buys like snacks, buses and ice creams for the children.
Locals switch easily between English and the word “tala”, so you will pick it up quickly.
After a day or two of visiting beaches, markets and cafes, phrases like “one tala” and “five tala” will feel very normal.
Western and American Samoa currency
If you see references to currency in Western Samoa or Western Samoa currency, that is simply the older name of the same place.
The independent state now called Samoa uses the tala.
By contrast, the American Samoa currency is different. American Samoa uses USD, so it pays to be clear which destination you are reading about when you explore guides online.
Everyday prices in Apia
In Apia, you can grab a coffee or soft drink for around 5 to 8 tala (about £1.50 to £2.20).
A simple lunch in a local café might be 20 to 30 tala (roughly £5.50 to £8).
A mid-range dinner for two could be around 60-80 tala (about £16-£22), depending on where you eat and what you order.
Compared with New Zealand or Australia, many everyday prices feel gentle on the wallet, although imported goods can be noticeably more expensive.
Exchange rates explained
The Samoa currency rate shows how many tala you get for each pound.
These exchange rates fluctuate constantly as markets react to tourism, trade, independence history, and the broader global economy.
The mid market rate is the pure midpoint between buy and sell rates on the market.
It is a great reference point for checking how fair a Samoa exchange offer really is.
How to convert currencies between GBP and tala
Before you fly, it is smart to convert currencies online, so you know what your GBP is worth in WST.
Many travellers like to track exchange rates and see a quick table that shows, for example, how £50 or £100 converts to tala and then reverse it to check WST back to GBP.
National Bank and Bank of Samoa overview
The tala is issued and managed by the national bank system, including the Bank of Samoa and other central bank institutions that work quietly in the background.
Their job is to keep the currency stable, protect services and support the local tourism industry and wider economy.
You may never see the head office, but their work shapes the features of the notes and the stability of the rate you get when your pounds are exchanged.
Samoa in the South Pacific and links to New Zealand
Samoa sits in the South Pacific, east of Fiji and close in history to New Zealand and New Zealand-based trade.
Many Samoans have family in NZ, and you will often hear prices compared informally to NZD or AUD.
The tala became fully established after Samoa’s independence and has been the central Samoa currency ever since.
What is the best currency to take to Samoa
For day to day spending, the best currency in Samoa is the tala, and Manor FX offers the best Samoa currency exchange rates.
You can also take a small amount of USD or NZD as backup for some hotels and tour operators that quote in foreign currencies.
Most of the time, you will still pay in tala, so think of foreign cash as support rather than the main currency for Samoa.
What is the best way to get Samoan currency?
The best way to get currency for Samoa is to organise your cash before you leave the UK.
Online travel money specialists like Manor FX let you order tala at clear exchange rates, then deliver it safely to your door.
You could change money at the airport or use ATMs, but those options often come with higher fees and weaker rates, so planning ahead is usually the wise choice.
Cards, ATMs and cash for your Samoa trip
There are ATMs in Apia and tourist areas where you can withdraw tala.
Always check what your bank charges, and remember that some machines can add their own fees per ATM withdrawal.
For daily life, you will still rely heavily on cash, particularly in villages, on Saturday market days and when tipping guides or boat crews.
Buy Samoa travel money now
How to get your currency with Manor FX
Getting tala with Manor FX is simple and friendly, with no hidden fees.
- Visit the Manor FX site and pick Samoan tala currency from the list.
- Enter the amount of GBP you want to convert and see the tala you will receive.
- Check the exchange rates shown and any delivery fees.
- Confirm your order, add your address and pay securely from your account by card or bank transfer.
- We’ll deliver your cash by insured post, or you can collect it in store.
That way, your Samoa money exchange is sorted before you even leave for the airport, and you can explore the islands with one less thing to worry about.
And don’t forget, we’ll take care of your Samoa currency to GBP conversion if you have leftover currency on your return!
FAQs
How much is 100 NZD in Samoa?
If you change 100 NZD to tala, you will usually receive several dozen tala, depending on the rate on the day and any fees.
A currency converter will show you the latest figure using live exchange rates.
This can be handy if you are coming from New Zealand or if your children live there and want to send you money for your trip.
Can you use US dollars in Samoa?
You might see USD used in hotel quotes or by certain tour companies, but on the street, in Apia markets and in small village shops, you will need tala.
Treat US dollar prices as guides only. Your final cash payment is almost always in tala and coins, and that is what matters for everyday spending.