ATM Fees in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE) • Updated April 2026
Sierra Leone is heavily cash-based. Card acceptance very limited. ATMs unreliable. USD widely accepted and preferred. Bring USD cash. Note: The 'New Leone' (SLE) is in circulation, but many locals still quote prices in 'Old Leones' (millions). Check the zeros carefully.
Tips for Sierra Leone
- • Cash essential - cards rarely work
- • USD widely accepted
- • ATMs unreliable
- • Bring USD in good condition
- • Orange Money used locally
- • The 'New Leone' (SLE) is in circulation, but many locals still quote prices in 'Old Leones' (millions). Check the zeros carefully
Airport tips
- • Freetown airport has limited services
- • Bring USD cash
- • No reliable ATMs
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 Sierra Leone, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
SLE/day
≈ $80.00-200 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
SLE/day
≈ $225-460 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
SLE/day
≈ $520-980 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Sierra Leone.
Credit card acceptance
Very LowCash economy. USD preferred. Cards almost never work. Watch for old vs new Leone pricing.
You'll need cash for
- • Everything
- • Hotels
- • Restaurants
- • Transport
Cards usually accepted
- • Very few international hotels
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecobank | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 15 | ATM reliability improved in Freetown, poor elsewhere |
| GTBank | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 8 | ATM reliability improved in Freetown |
| Rokel Commercial | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 10 | Unreliable |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecobank | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 15 | ATM reliability improved in Freetown |
| Rokel Commercial | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 10 | Bring USD cash |
| GTBank | Varies | Unknown | Unknown | Unreliable | 8 | ATM reliability improved in Freetown |
🌐 ATM Alliance Benefits: If you bank with a member of these alliances, you may get reduced or waived ATM fees in Sierra Leone:
View all ATM alliances →