Is Papua New Guinea cashless?
Cash essential#156 of 197 in The Cashlessy Index 2026 · #10 of 14 in Oceania
Short answer: Bring or withdraw enough cash for your trip. Cards will rarely help.
Hotels in Port Moresby take cards. Nearly everything else is cash.
Will my card work?
Rarely or not at all. Do not count on using a foreign card in Papua New Guinea.
Do I need cash?
Yes, plenty. Most payments in Papua New Guinea are made in cash, so plan how you will get it.
Local currency: Papua New Guinean kina (PGK)
How does tipping work?
Not customary.
Mobile payments
No widely used mobile wallets for visitors. Stick to cards where accepted, and cash.
Frequently asked questions
Is Papua New Guinea cashless?
Papua New Guinea scores 12/100 on Cashlessy (cash essential), ranking #156 of 197 countries. Hotels in Port Moresby take cards. Nearly everything else is cash.
Do I need cash in Papua New Guinea?
Yes, plenty. Most payments in Papua New Guinea are made in cash, so plan how you will get it.
Are credit cards accepted in Papua New Guinea?
Rarely or not at all. Do not count on using a foreign card in Papua New Guinea.
Do you tip in Papua New Guinea?
Not customary.
Compare with Oceania
Editorial estimate, last reviewed September 2026. Payment habits change quickly; see how we score.