Every traveller is enchanted by Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes, from the flamingo-filled Rift Valley lakes and the lively streets of Nairobi to the perfect beaches of the coast. To enjoy this beautiful country, it is essential to be well-versed in the local cash, cash and ATMs in Kenya, and available payment options. Travelling through the heart of Africa will be an unforgettable experience with the financial insights provided by this guide, which will allow you to confidently and easily explore the natural wonders and rich cultural heritage of Kenya.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Kenya?
Over 4,000 ATMs are spread across Kenya. 10+ commercial and specialised banks run these. You will find a plethora of ATMs in most cities and 1-2 in small towns. However, you shouldn’t count on seeing them if you go on safaris to remote areas.
You can find ATMs at:
- Major airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Main tourist streets of every major town,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Some corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main streets,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Kenya for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Kenya are those owned by popular banks such as:
Prime Bank,
Gulf African Bank,
I&M Bank,
GT Bank,
Co-op Bank,
Standard Chartered, and
DTB.
You can use your international debit or credit card at other banks also that have ATMs such as Ecobank, Absa Bank, Equity Bank, albeit with higher fees.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Kenya, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in KES).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Kenya, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in KES’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Kenya?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Kenya. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Kenya.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Kenya?
ATMs have the word ‘ATM’ on their signage or simply the name of the bank without using the word ‘ATM.’
PIN type
In Kenya, you can use ATM PINs of up to four digits in length.
While chip-and-PIN cards are becoming more popular, merchants still accept a lot of magnetic stripe cards.
Languages at ATMs in Kenya
The two default language options at Kenyan ATMs are Swahili and English. Take advantage of Google Translate’s built-in camera feature to get real-time translations of the menu items if you’re not fluent in any of these languages! Please take your time and not rush through the transaction because these translations are not always 100% accurate.
If you cannot understand these languages, it’s fine. Use the camera feature of Google Translate to translate the selections on your phone in real time! Note: Because these translations are not always accurate, please take your time and finish the transaction without haste.
Do ATMs in Kenya work similarly as other countries?
Indeed, it is. ATMs in Kenya are modern in design and operation, the ATMs mimic their counterparts in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Make sure to remove your card from the ATM after using it, as some of them may take it entirely during the transaction.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Africa.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Kenya?
ATMs in Kenya dispense only the official currency Kenyan Shilling (KES).
ATM withdrawal limits in Kenya?
Majority of the ATMs in Kenya have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of KSH 40,000. One bank ATM allows only up to KSH 20,000 per transaction and one allows up to KSH 100,000 (Kenyan Shillings). Some banks also have a daily withdrawal limit of KSH 100,000 per day.
ATM Fees in Kenya?
There are many fee-free ATMs in Kenya. Some bank ATMs charge varying ATM Fees – between KSH 105 to KSH 413 per transaction to foreign cardholders and many bank ATMs do not charge any fees to foreign cards. (Figures in Kenyan Shilling). So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Kenya as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Kenya – something every traveller handling cash in Kenya should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Kenya?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Kenya?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Kenya. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Kenya.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Kenya ATMs?
Several factors determine the level of safety when using ATMs in Kenya:
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Kenya takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it is possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Kenya. Some bank ATMs charge varying ATM Fees – between KSH 105 to KSH 413 per transaction to foreign cardholders and many bank ATMs do not charge any fees to foreign cards. (Figures in Kenyan Shilling). So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Kenya as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Kenya?
Yes, most ATMs in Kenya accept credit cards issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
Bitcoin ATMs?
In Nairobi, Kenya, you can find a handful of Bitcoin ATMs.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Kenya
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: In Kenya, you won’t find any Barclays ATMs.
HSBC: Indeed, Kenya has many HSBC ATMs.
Standard Chartered: A large number of Standard Chartered ATMs can be found in Kenya.
