Whether you are visiting for work, for family or to see where your parents grew up, a few basics make the first days in Mogadishu much easier. Each point links to a fuller guide.
Before you fly
- Entry: foreign passport holders need an approved eTAS before boarding. Apply only at etas.gov.so — see visa and eTAS.
- Pickup: arrange it with your hotel, host or a transfer company before you land, and share your flight number. See airport transfers.
- Packing: light, loose clothing and a few printed copies of your documents. See what to pack.
Money
- US dollars are used for most payments, alongside Somali shillings for small change.
- Mobile money (such as EVC Plus) is how most people pay day to day; cards are rarely accepted.
- Bring clean, recent US dollar notes in small denominations. See currency and mobile money.
Phone and internet
Buy a local SIM with your passport at an official provider shop in the city; data is cheap and mobile money runs on the same number. See SIM cards and internet.
Time and the week
- Somalia is on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving. Compare with home on our world clock.
- Friday is the main day off. Many offices close early on Thursday, and business slows around the five daily prayers — see prayer times.
Dress and manners
- Somalia is a Muslim country. Men usually wear long trousers; women usually cover their arms, legs and hair. Loose, light fabrics suit the heat.
- Greet people with "Asalaamu calaykum" and thank them with "Mahadsanid". Use your right hand to give and receive. Our Somali phrasebook has 295 more phrases.
- Ask before you photograph people, and do not photograph checkpoints, security staff or airport security areas.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight — see Ramadan and Eid.
Getting around
Most visitors move by car with a driver arranged by their hotel or host. Follow their advice on routes and timings, and keep your hotel's phone number saved. See getting around and our emergency numbers.
Useful tools
Frequently asked questions
What currency should I bring to Mogadishu?
US dollars in clean, recent, small-denomination notes. Most day-to-day payments use dollars or mobile money such as EVC Plus; cards are rarely accepted.
What should I wear in Mogadishu?
Modest, loose and light clothing. Men usually wear long trousers; women usually cover their arms, legs and hair.
What day is the weekend in Somalia?
Friday is the main day off, and many offices close early on Thursday.
Save key guides for offline use
Arriving without data? Save the arrival guide, transfers, eTAS, SIM and money guides, emergency numbers and the phrasebook on this phone (about 2 MB).
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