Money at Douala International (DLA)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Douala, Cameroon.
Douala uses the XAF (FCFA). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly FCFA 4,000–6,000. Cash only; small FCFA notes essential.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Douala International (DLA)?
Cameroon uses the XAF (FCFA). Airport ATMs dispense XAF directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from DLA to the city cost?
Expected fare on the DLA → Bonanjo (central) route is roughly FCFA 4,000–6,000. Around FCFA 10,000+ is already high, and FCFA 20,000 'fixed' quote is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at DLA?
Not expected. Drivers in Cameroon don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at DLA?
Cash only; small FCFA notes essential. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of XAF notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at DLA?
Only if you need $10–20 of XAF to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.