Currency in the Solomon Islands - A Full Guide 2025

Planning a trip to the Solomon Islands? Whether you’re heading there for work or pleasure, you’ll need to know how to pay your way as you travel.

This guide covers all you’ll need to know about the official currency in the Solomon Islands, where to get it and how to keep your costs down during your trip.

What is the currency in the Solomon Islands?

The official currency in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar, which is issued and overseen by the Central Bank of Solomon Islands. If you’re buying your travel money online you may also see the official code being shown - SBD. In stores and restaurants, Solomon Islands Dollar prices are likely to use the currency symbol $.

Once you’re in the Solomon Islands you’ll see costs of items shown in SBD and you’ll need to start paying for things in local coins and notes which are often found in the following denominations:

banknotes - 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.

How to pay in the Solomon Islands

You’ll be able to choose between a mixture of modern and traditional payment methods in the Solomon Islands. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won't accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. Here are your key payment options in the Solomon Islands.

1. Debit or credit card

You’ll need to have SBD to spend in the Solomon Islands - however, you don’t necessarily need to carry cash. Card payments can be more convenient and are accepted in many shops, restaurants and hotels.

If you’re using a card for payments in the Solomon Islands do remember to check for any extra fees which may apply when you spend in foreign currencies. Foreign transaction and cash advance fees may push up your costs, and can often be avoided by choosing a prepaid travel card which supports multi-currency holding from a provider like Wise or Revolut.

2. SBD cash

Cards are widely accepted in the Solomon Islands but it's still worth having some cash with you at all times. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Cash is often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.

You may want to exchange money to SBD before you leave, but it’s also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in the Solomon Islands. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut for spending, and to get cash at an ATM when you need it for flexibility.

3. Mobile Payments

Using a wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay is super convenient and allows you to tap and pay in stores and anywhere contactless payments are accepted. You won’t even need to have your physical card with you - although it’s a good plan to have your card just in case you ever need to make a Chip and PIN transaction when you travel.

If you’re going to use a mobile wallet for payments in the Solomon Islands make sure you’ve linked your preferred payment cards, and check for any fees which may apply. While it’s normally free to use the wallet itself, the underlying card may still impose costs such as foreign transaction fees when you spend in SBD.

4. Bank Transfers

Bank transfers are normally used for larger purchases, and to make ongoing payments like rent or utilities. This payment method may be relevant to you if you’re planning to stay in the Solomon Islands for a longer time, for work or study for example. You may also want to use a bank transfer for a tourist trip if you will pay for your hotel in advance.

Bank transfers have the advantage of being secure and easy to set up through your mobile or online banking network. However, bear in mind that some banks and money transfer services will add fees when you send a payment, which can include a charge added to the exchange rate when you convert your money to SBD.

5. Use a prepaid travel card on your next trip to the Solomon Islands

Using a travel debit card in the Solomon Islands is usually cheap, safe and convenient. A few providers in [local-country] offer multi-currency cards which come with a linked payment account that lets you convert, hold and spend in SBD. That allows you to add a balance in [local-currency] and switch over to SBD to lock in the exchange rate and set your travel budget.

Once you have SBD in your account there are no extra fees to make payments, and you’ll not have foreign transaction charges to worry about, either.

Here’s a quick overview of a couple of handy travel debit cards you may want to order and use in the Solomon Islands.

What money is used in Honiara

The currency in Honiara is SBD. You’ll need to have ways to spend in SBD during your visit, which can mean carrying some cash, getting a prepaid travel card before you leave home, or using your credit card. Whichever payment method you decide to use, make sure you weigh up the costs involved, which can include exchange rate markups if you’re converting cash, and foreign transaction fees if you use your debit or credit card while on your visit to Honiara.

What is the currency exchange rate for £ 1 AUD/SBD?

It’s helpful to get to know the live AUD/SBD rate so you can easily calculate how much things are costing you while you’re on your trip abroad.

The rate you need to focus on is the mid market rate, which is the one banks and major currency services get when buying and selling currencies. This rate isn’t always passed on to customers. Instead you may find that the AUD/SBD rate you get when exchanging travel cash includes a markup - an extra fee.

Find the AUD/SBD mid-market rate from a currency conversion site or a website like this, so you can keep an eye on the market and compare the rates you’re offered as you travel against the mid-market rate easily.

Should I exchange AUD to SBD before traveling to the Solomon Islands?

It’s a good idea to exchange Australian Dollars to Solomon Islands Dollar before you head off to the Solomon Islands, as you can often find a better exchange rate and lower overall costs before you travel.

When you’re in the Solomon Islands you may need SBD in cash for some of your spending - particularly when tipping or making smaller value purchases. Buying your SBD travel money in advance can get you better AUD/SBD exchange rates, and saves you wasting precious time shopping around for a good deal once you arrive in the Solomon Islands.

Get familiar with the exchange rates offered locally to you, and online, so you can decide whether it’s worth switching some funds in advance of travel, using a card to pay while you’re away, or converting cash on arrival. Both in Australia and in the Solomon Islands, steer clear of exchanging currency at the airport. A captive market means that AUD/SBD rates are often worse in the airport than in city centers.

Tips for exchanging money in the Solomon Islands

At merchants and ATMs, make sure you’re charged in SBD. If you’re asked if you’d rather pay in AUD instead, say no. That’s a sign of dynamic currency conversion, which usually means extra costs. Withdrawing money in target-currency can be easy, particularly in big cities and Honiara, here’s a few other tips if you want to exchange money in the Solomon Islands

1. Avoid using exchange providers at airports or hotels in the Solomon Islands as they usually offer pretty poor exchange rates because they have a captive market and little competition nearby
2. Use a travel debit card like the Wise card while you’re in the Solomon Islands for fast and cheap conversion between currencies and easy ways to manage your money from your phone

Is it better to exchange currency in Australia or the Solomon Islands?

Whether it's better to exchange currency in Australia or the Solomon Islands really depends on the exchange rates and fees you can find in local exchange stores, online or with your preferred payment cards. Converting cash before you leave is reassuring but does mean getting organised in advance, while waiting until you arrive in the Solomon Islands means using up precious time on your trip finding an exchange office.

If you don’t want to worry about converting your cash, you can also use a prepaid travel card to spend and make cash withdrawals on arrival, which can be a cost effective and time saving solution.

Read also: Compare exchange rates to buy SBD

Best place to exchange currency in the Solomon Islands

You can get your SBD in the Solomon Islands in a couple of ways.

You’ll be able to use a travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make convenient payments and cash withdrawals and to convert funds online.

Or if you prefer an offline solution you can carry some cash in AUD to exchange when you arrive. Currency exchange providers are often in airports and hotels, although the exchange shops in a city centre are likely to be cheaper overall.

Best way to get SBD

You can get SBD in cash before you leave, exchange on arrival, or take money from an ATM when you get to your destination. Each method has its own pros and cons. Generally, using local ATMs can offer a good exchange rate, and is convenient and secure. You won’t need to carry lots of cash at any one time, making this a safe option - just make sure you top up on cash before you head off to any rural or out of the way areas where ATM access may be more limited.

Paying for the trip in AUD

If you’re paying for things in the Solomon Islands with a AUD bank card you might find a foreign transaction fee is added. This pushes up your costs when you spend in a foreign currency, and can be tricky to calculate.

Travel debit cards don’t always work this way. When you make purchases in the Solomon Islands using the Wise card you can either choose to convert your account balance to SBD in advance in the Wise app, or just leave your balance in Australian Dollars and let the card handle the transaction when you pay. You’ll always get the lowest available fee and there are no extra foreign transaction charges.

Conclusion - Currency in the Solomon Islands

You won’t be able to pay in AUD when you visit the Solomon Islands - so learning about the currency you need is essential. Whether you decide to use a travel debit card from a service like Wise , or stock up on SBD in cash in advance, knowing the mid-market exchange rate can help you get the best available deal. Use this guide to learn all you need to know about the options, rates and fees for exchanging AUD to SBD, and make your money go further while you’re away.

The official currency in the Solomon Islands is SBD. You can’t usually pay in Australian Dollars in the Solomon Islands, so you’ll need to plan in advance to get your travel money sorted. Consider ordering a travel debit card from a service like Wise, for low cost conversions to SBD and convenient spending and withdrawals - and remember that knowing the AUD to SBD mid-market exchange rate is essential to check you’re getting a fair deal on currency exchange.

FAQ - Currency in the Solomon Islands

What is the currency in the Solomon Islands called?

The official currency in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar. You may also see the code SBD and the currency symbol $.

What's the currency in Honiara?

The official currency in Honiara is the Solomon Islands Dollar. You’ll only be able to spend in SBD while you’re there.

What is the old the Solomon Islands currency?

Today the currency in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands Dollar. If you’re worried about currencies changing, why not get a travel debit card from a service like Wise which will automatically pick the currency needed in your destination when making a payment - with no penalties or inflated fees.

What is the best currency to take to the Solomon Islands?

You’ll only be able to spend in SBD while you’re in the Solomon Islands. Carrying some money in cash and using a travel debit card from a service like Wise is usually the best way to spend while you’re away from home.