Money at Diori Hamani (Niamey) (NIM)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Niamey, Niger.
Niamey uses the XOF (CFA). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly CFA 10,000–15,000 pre-booked. Cash only; small XOF 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 Diori Hamani (Niamey) (NIM)?
Niger uses the XOF (CFA). Airport ATMs dispense XOF directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from NIM to the city cost?
Expected fare on the NIM → Niamey center route is roughly CFA 10,000–15,000 pre-booked. Around CFA 20,000+ is already high, and CFA 25,000+ is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at NIM?
Not expected. Drivers in Niger 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 NIM?
Cash only; small XOF notes essential. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of XOF notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at NIM?
Only if you need $10–20 of XOF 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.