If you stay at camping grounds, or cheap and nasty hostels, and eat at stalls from around the market, you can get by on as little as US$15.00 a day. Going slightly more upmarket, getting rooms in a good location with air conditioning and dining at sit down restaurants will cost you about US$40.00 a day. Rooms at upmarket hotels or in historical Tuareg structures, and eating French dishes at ritzy restaurants, will set you back about US$100.00 a day.

Niger's unit of currency is the West African franc, which is tied to the euro. The Bia-Niger banks in the large cities change travellers cheques without too much fuss (1.6% commission), but once you get out into the countryside changing travellers cheques can get tricky. Changing cash is not so much of a problem for those out of the way places, particularly if it's euros, but you'll get stung for the privilege. Cash advances on Visa and MasterCard are only possible at the larger banks in Niamey, and credit cards are next to useless everywhere else except first class hotels. There are no ATMs in the country.

As in most West African countries, the rank and file need not worry too much about tipping, but wealthier patrons, and those staying at better class hotels, are expected to reach into their pockets. A tip of 10% is expected in restaurants (but check the bill to make sure that it hasn't been included), and about the same for taxis other than share-taxis.

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