When planning your next international adventure, understanding the currencies you’ll encounter can enhance your travel experience and help you budget more effectively. From the iconic U.S. dollar to the colorful notes of Southeast Asia, each country’s currency tells a unique story about its culture, history, and economy.
Popular Global Currencies
Some currencies are widely recognized and accepted in multiple countries:
- U.S. Dollar (USD): Often considered the world’s primary reserve currency, the USD is accepted in many countries beyond the United States.
- Euro (EUR): Used by 20 countries in the European Union, making it convenient for travelers exploring multiple European destinations.
- British Pound (GBP): One of the oldest currencies still in use, the pound is known for its high value relative to many other currencies.
Regional Currency Highlights
As you travel, you’ll encounter fascinating regional currencies:
- Japanese Yen (JPY): Known for its high denominations, with the largest bill being 10,000 yen.
- Indian Rupee (INR): Features Gandhi’s portrait and is a closed currency, meaning you’ll need to exchange it within India.
- Thai Baht (THB): Colorful notes depict the Thai royal family[1].
Currency Exchange Tips
To make the most of your travel budget:
- Research exchange rates before your trip.
- Consider using a mix of cash and cards for payments.
- Be aware of closed currencies in countries like India, which have restrictions on bringing currency in or out[2].
Digital Currency Trends
Keep an eye on the growing acceptance of digital payments and cryptocurrencies in some destinations. While not widely used for everyday transactions, they’re becoming more prevalent in tech-savvy travel hubs.
Understanding the world’s currencies adds an extra layer of excitement to your travels. It allows you to appreciate the local economy, engage more meaningfully in markets and shops, and potentially save money through smart currency management. As you plan your next trip, take some time to familiarize yourself with the currencies you’ll be using – it’s all part of the grand adventure of exploring our diverse world.
Currencies Of The World
Here’s a table listing the main currencies used by countries around the world. A link under main currency column, if available, takes you to the full currency guide.
Country | Currency | Currency Code |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Afghani | AFN |
Albania | Lek | ALL |
Algeria | Dinar | DZD |
Andorra | Euro | EUR |
Angola | Kwanza | AOA |
Antigua and Barbuda | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Argentina | Peso | ARS |
Armenia | Dram | AMD |
Australia | Australian Dollar | AUD |
Austria | Euro | EUR |
Azerbaijan | Manat | AZN |
Bahamas | Bahamian Dollar | BSD |
Bahrain | Bahraini Dinar | BHD |
Bangladesh | Taka | BDT |
Barbados | Barbados Dollar | BBD |
Belarus | Belarusian Ruble | BYN |
Belgium | Euro | EUR |
Belize | Belize Dollar | BZD |
Benin | CFA Franc | XOF |
Bhutan | Ngultrum | BTN |
Bolivia | Boliviano | BOB |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Convertible Mark | BAM |
Botswana | Pula | BWP |
Brazil | Real | BRL |
Brunei | Brunei Dollar | BND |
Bulgaria | Lev | BGN |
Burkina Faso | CFA Franc | XOF |
Burundi | Burundi Franc | BIF |
Cambodia | Riel | KHR |
Cameroon | CFA Franc | XAF |
Canada | Canadian Dollar | CAD |
Cape Verde | Cape Verdean Escudo | CVE |
Central African Republic | CFA Franc | XAF |
Chad | CFA Franc | XAF |
Chile | Chilean Peso | CLP |
China | Yuan Renminbi | CNY |
Colombia | Colombian Peso | COP |
Comoros | Comorian Franc | KMF |
Congo | CFA Franc | XAF |
Costa Rica | Colón | CRC |
Croatia | Croatian Kuna | HRK |
Cuba | Cuban Peso | CUP |
Cyprus | Euro | EUR |
Czech Republic | Czech Koruna | CZK |
Denmark | Danish Krone | DKK |
Djibouti | Djiboutian Franc | DJF |
Dominica | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Dominican Republic | Dominican Peso | DOP |
Ecuador | US Dollar | USD |
Egypt | Egyptian Pound | EGP |
El Salvador | US Dollar | USD |
Equatorial Guinea | CFA Franc | XAF |
Eritrea | Nakfa | ERN |
Estonia | Euro | EUR |
Ethiopia | Birr | ETB |
Fiji | Fiji Dollar | FJD |
Finland | Euro | EUR |
France | Euro | EUR |
Gabon | CFA Franc | XAF |
Gambia | Dalasi | GMD |
Georgia | Lari | GEL |
Germany | Euro | EUR |
Ghana | Cedi | GHS |
Greece | Euro | EUR |
Grenada | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Guatemala | Quetzal | GTQ |
Guinea | Guinean Franc | GNF |
Guinea-Bissau | CFA Franc | XOF |
Guyana | Guyanese Dollar | GYD |
Haiti | Gourde | HTG |
Honduras | Lempira | HNL |
Hungary | Forint | HUF |
Iceland | Icelandic Króna | ISK |
India | Indian Rupee | INR |
Indonesia | Rupiah | IDR |
Iran | Iranian Rial | IRR |
Iraq | Iraqi Dinar | IQD |
Ireland | Euro | EUR |
Israel | New Israeli Shekel | ILS |
Italy | Euro | EUR |
Jamaica | Jamaican Dollar | JMD |
Japan | Yen | JPY |
Jordan | Jordanian Dinar | JOD |
Kazakhstan | Tenge | KZT |
Kenya | Kenyan Shilling | KES |
Kiribati | Australian Dollar | AUD |
North Korea | North Korean Won | KPW |
South Korea | South Korean Won | KRW |
Kuwait | Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD |
Kyrgyzstan | Som | KGS |
Laos | Kip | LAK |
Latvia | Euro | EUR |
Lebanon | Lebanese Pound | LBP |
Lesotho | Loti | LSL |
Liberia | Liberian Dollar | LRD |
Libya | Libyan Dinar | LYD |
Liechtenstein | Swiss Franc | CHF |
Lithuania | Euro | EUR |
Luxembourg | Euro | EUR |
Madagascar | Malagasy Ariary | MGA |
Malawi | Malawi Kwacha | MWK |
Malaysia | Malaysian Ringgit | MYR |
Maldives | Rufiyaa | MVR |
Mali | CFA Franc | XOF |
Malta | Euro | EUR |
Marshall Islands | US Dollar | USD |
Mauritania | Ouguiya | MRU |
Mauritius | Mauritian Rupee | MUR |
Mexico | Mexican Peso | MXN |
Micronesia | US Dollar | USD |
Moldova | Moldovan Leu | MDL |
Monaco | Euro | EUR |
Mongolia | Tugrik | MNT |
Montenegro | Euro | EUR |
Morocco | Moroccan Dirham | MAD |
Mozambique | Metical | MZN |
Myanmar | Kyat | MMK |
Namibia | Namibian Dollar | NAD |
Nauru | Australian Dollar | AUD |
Nepal | Nepalese Rupee | NPR |
Netherlands | Euro | EUR |
New Zealand | New Zealand Dollar | NZD |
Nicaragua | Córdoba | NIO |
Niger | CFA Franc | XOF |
Nigeria | Naira | NGN |
North Macedonia | Denar | MKD |
Norway | Norwegian Krone | NOK |
Oman | Omani Rial | OMR |
Pakistan | Pakistani Rupee | PKR |
Palau | US Dollar | USD |
Panama | Balboa | PAB |
Papua New Guinea | Kina | PGK |
Paraguay | Guaraní | PYG |
Peru | Sol | PEN |
Philippines | Philippine Peso | PHP |
Poland | Złoty | PLN |
Portugal | Euro | EUR |
Puerto Rico | US Dollar | USD |
Qatar | Qatari Riyal | QAR |
Romania | Romanian Leu | RON |
Russia | Russian Ruble | RUB |
Rwanda | Rwandan Franc | RWF |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Saint Lucia | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | East Caribbean Dollar | XCD |
Samoa | Tala | WST |
San Marino | Euro | EUR |
São Tomé and Príncipe | Dobra | STN |
Saudi Arabia | Saudi Riyal | SAR |
Senegal | CFA Franc | XOF |
Serbia | Serbian Dinar | RSD |
Seychelles | Seychellois Rupee | SCR |
Sierra Leone | Leone | SLL |
Singapore | Singapore Dollar | SGD |
Slovakia | Euro | EUR |
Slovenia | Euro | EUR |
Solomon Islands | Solomon Islands Dollar | SBD |
Somalia | Somali Shilling | SOS |
South Africa | Rand | ZAR |
South Sudan | South Sudanese Pound | SSP |
Spain | Euro | EUR |
Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan Rupee | LKR |
Sudan | Sudanese Pound | SDG |
Suriname | Surinamese Dollar | SRD |
Sweden | Swedish Krona | SEK |
Switzerland | Swiss Franc | CHF |
Syria | Syrian Pound | SYP |
Taiwan | New Taiwan Dollar | TWD |
Tajikistan | Somoni | TJS |
Tanzania | Tanzanian Shilling | TZS |
Thailand | Baht | THB |
Timor-Leste | US Dollar | USD |
Togo | CFA Franc | XOF |
Tonga | Pa’anga | TOP |
Trinidad and Tobago | Trinidad and Tobago Dollar | TTD |
Tunisia | Tunisian Dinar | TND |
Turkey | Turkish Lira | TRY |
Turkmenistan | Turkmenistan New Manat | TMT |
Tuvalu | Australian Dollar | AUD |
Uganda | Ugandan Shilling | UGX |
Ukraine | Hryvnia | UAH |
United Arab Emirates | UAE Dirham | AED |
United Kingdom | Pound Sterling | GBP |
United States | US Dollar | USD |
Uruguay | Peso Uruguayo | UYU |
Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan Sum | UZS |
Vanuatu | Vatu | VUV |
Vatican City | Euro | EUR |
Venezuela | Bolívar | VES |
Vietnam | Dong | VND |
Yemen | Yemeni Rial | YER |
Zambia | Zambian Kwacha | ZMW |
Zimbabwe | RTGS Dollar | ZWL |