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    ATM Fee Guide
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    ATM Fees in Benin

    West African CFA Franc (XOF) • Updated April 2026

    Benin uses the West African CFA Franc, shared with 7 other countries and pegged to the Euro. ATMs are available in Cotonou and major cities. Cash is essential as card acceptance is very limited.

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    Tips for Benin

    • • CFA Franc is pegged to EUR (655.96 XOF = 1 EUR)
    • • Bring EUR or USD to exchange
    • • Ecobank and Bank of Africa have best ATM network
    • • ATMs often have low limits and may run out of cash
    • • Card acceptance almost non-existent outside major hotels
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    Airport tips

    • • Cotonou Airport has limited ATM options
    • • Currency exchange at airport with poor rates
    • • Airport taxis require cash negotiation
    • • Arrange hotel pickup if possible
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    Don't forget your home bank fees

    The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.

    Estimated daily expenses

    How much cash you might need per day in Benin, per person.

    Your currency:

    Backpacker

    Hostels, street food, public transport

    17,000-36,000

    XOF/day

    🏨 Accommodation10,000-20,000
    🍜 Food & drinks3,000-6,000
    🚌 Transport2,000-5,000
    🎟️ Activities2,000-5,000

    ≈ $30.25-64.05 USD

    Mid-range

    Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport

    61,000-120,000

    XOF/day

    🏨 Accommodation35,000-70,000
    🍜 Food & drinks10,000-20,000
    🚌 Transport8,000-15,000
    🎟️ Activities8,000-15,000

    ≈ $109-214 USD

    Luxury

    Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport

    165,000-330,000

    XOF/day

    🏨 Accommodation100,000-200,000
    🍜 Food & drinks25,000-50,000
    🚌 Transport20,000-40,000
    🎟️ Activities20,000-40,000

    ≈ $294-587 USD

    Cash vs card acceptance

    Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Benin.

    Credit card acceptance

    Very Low

    Benin is a cash-based economy. Card acceptance is extremely rare. Only a handful of international hotels and upscale restaurants in Cotonou may accept cards.

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    You'll need cash for

    • • Almost all purchases
    • • Hotels (most)
    • • Restaurants
    • • Transport
    • • Markets
    • • All services outside Cotonou
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    Cards usually accepted

    • • A few 4-5 star hotels in Cotonou
    • • Rare upscale restaurants

    💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards

    These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    Ecobank Benin2,000 XOF~5.00 USD25
    Bank of Africa Benin2,500 XOF~6.00 USD20
    UBA Benin2,000 XOF~5.00 USD15
    SGBBE (Société Générale)2,500 XOF~6.00 USD12

    📍 Most widely available ATMs

    Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.

    BankATM FeeEst. CostBranches
    Ecobank Benin2,000 XOF~5.00 USD25
    Bank of Africa Benin2,500 XOF~6.00 USD20
    UBA Benin2,000 XOF~5.00 USD15
    SGBBE (Société Générale)2,500 XOF~6.00 USD12

    🌐 ATM Alliance Benefits: If you bank with a member of these alliances, you may get reduced or waived ATM fees in Benin:

    Ecobank
    View all ATM alliances →

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