Bosnia and Herzegovina Currency Guide
The currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and how to prepare for payments — all on one page.
Currency
Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
BAM
Checking rates
Check with your bank app or card issuer before you go
The rate and fees you actually pay differ by bank and card issuer.
Payment Tips to Remember
Always pay in the local currency
If a terminal asks whether to charge in your home currency, always choose the local currency. Choosing your home currency triggers DCC (dynamic currency conversion), which adds a hidden markup.
Set up a travel card before you fly
Prepaid multi-currency travel cards let you convert money in the app beforehand and pay like a debit card locally. Fees are usually lower than cash exchange counters, and you can freeze the card instantly from the app if lost.
Airport exchange counters: last resort
Airport counters are convenient but tend to offer some of the worst rates. If you need cash, exchange via your bank's app before departure or consider withdrawing from a local ATM.
Check ATM fees on screen
Local ATMs may add their own operator fee. Check the fee shown on the confirmation screen before proceeding. If the ATM offers conversion to your home currency (DCC), choosing the local currency is usually better.
Keep some small cash
Every country has places that don't take cards — markets, tips, small transport. Carrying a small amount of cash in separate places keeps you covered.
Cards for Abroad
Explore the Wise multi-currency card
One account holding 40+ currencies, converting and paying at mid-market based rates. Handy for multi-country trips — no need to exchange for each currency separately.
Learn more
Local data
Get an eSIM for Bosnia and Herzegovina before you go
Activate mobile data with a QR code instead of swapping SIM cards. Buy it before departure and switch it on the moment you land.
Airalo
Yesim
Saily
Drimsim
Check prices and availability on the booking sites.
City Guides in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a city where the Miljacka River runs through downtown. Visitors can explore landmarks like the Latin Bridge and Avaz Twist Tower, where history and modernity meet.
Banja Luka
Banja Luka is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving as the de facto capital where the government and parliament of Republika Srpska are based. With a population of over 170,000, it's a place to stroll around and take in the region's distinctive atmosphere.
Tuzla
Tuzla is a city in northeastern Bosnia, home to the Pannonian Lakes as well as a variety of religious architecture, including mosques and churches. Its population grew significantly after the Bosnian War as refugees settled there.
Zenica
Zenica is an industrial city in central Bosnia, surrounded by mountains and hills, a little over an hour north of Sarajevo. Set along the Bosna River, it's a good place to visit an old cathedral and Vranduk Fortress.
Bihać
Bihać is the main city of Una-Sana Canton in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a great place to take in the unassuming charm of the Balkan interior.