What Currency Should You Take to Egypt?

Use Egyptian pounds for everyday spending, carry a bank card for ATMs, hotels and larger purchases, and bring only a modest amount of backup foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars or euros in clean notes. You do not need to travel with your whole trip budget in cash.

The Egyptian pound, written EGP or LE and divided into 100 piastres, is the legal currency for day-to-day spending. Some tourism businesses quote prices in U.S. dollars or euros, especially for tours, cruises and hotels, but in shops, cafés, taxis and markets local currency is simpler and avoids awkward conversions. The exchange rate has moved sharply in recent years, so check the current rate shortly before you travel rather than relying on an older guide.

This article explains how to combine cash and cards, where to get Egyptian pounds, how tipping fits in, and what to keep in mind to stay safe and avoid unnecessary fees.

The basic plan: card plus some cash

For most travelers, the practical combination is:

• A debit card for ATM withdrawals in Egyptian pounds as you go.
• A credit card for hotels, established restaurants and larger purchases.
• A modest reserve of foreign currency, kept separately, for emergencies or if a card stops working.
• Small Egyptian notes for tips, small purchases and situations where cards are not accepted.

Many travelers carry a second card from a different bank or network and store it apart from the first. If one card is blocked, lost or rejected by a terminal, you are not left without access to money.

Getting Egyptian pounds

ATMs

ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, the Red Sea resorts and at the main airports. Use machines attached to banks or inside hotels and shopping centers where possible, as they tend to be better maintained and safer to use. Withdrawal limits per transaction and per day vary by bank and machine, and your own bank may set its own limit and charge foreign withdrawal fees.

If an ATM offers to convert the withdrawal into your home currency, decline and choose to be charged in Egyptian pounds. This practice, called dynamic currency conversion, usually uses a less favorable rate than your bank would.

Exchanging cash

Banks, licensed exchange bureaus and many hotels can exchange major foreign currencies such as U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds. Notes should be clean, undamaged and reasonably recent, as worn or marked notes may be refused. Keep your receipts, which can be useful if you want to change money back at the end of the trip.

Avoid unlicensed street money changers. Apart from the legal risk, it is easy to receive the wrong amount or counterfeit notes.

Buying pounds before you leave

Some travelers like to arrive with a small amount of Egyptian pounds for the first taxi or tip. Compare your home bank's rate and fees with withdrawing on arrival; in many cases, an airport ATM in Egypt is just as convenient. Check the current rules on how much local currency you can bring into or take out of Egypt, as limits apply.

Using cards in Egypt

Credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels, many restaurants in tourist areas, larger shops, supermarkets and some attractions. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted networks, with other cards accepted less often.

Cards are less reliable in small shops, local cafés, markets and with drivers, and terminals sometimes go offline. A few tips help:

• Tell your bank you are traveling if its fraud controls require it, so your card is not blocked on the first transaction.
• Check your bank's foreign transaction fees before you go; some cards charge little or nothing.
• As with ATMs, choose to pay in Egyptian pounds if a terminal offers a conversion to your home currency.
• Keep an eye on your card while it is being processed, and check your statement regularly.

How much cash should you carry?

There is rarely a good reason to arrive with a large amount of cash. It increases the risk of loss or theft and, above a set threshold, foreign currency must be declared on entry. Check the current declaration rules on official Egyptian customs or government sources before you travel.

A sensible approach is to carry enough Egyptian pounds for a day or two of small expenses, withdraw more as you need it, and keep a modest backup of foreign currency in a separate, secure place such as a hotel safe or a hidden money pouch. If your tour, cruise and most meals are prepaid, your cash needs will mostly be tips, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and optional extras.

Tipping and small notes

Tipping, known locally as baksheesh, is a normal part of daily life in Egypt. You will tip guides and drivers, cruise and hotel staff, restaurant servers, and people who carry bags or help with small services. Many cruises suggest a shared tip for the crew at the end of the trip.

This is where small notes matter most. Larger notes can be hard to break in small shops or for a small service, so ask for smaller denominations when you change money and keep a supply in a separate pocket. Some travelers prefer to tip guides and cruise crews in U.S. dollars or euros, which are generally welcome, but small amounts are easiest in Egyptian pounds. Your tour operator can give you guidance on customary amounts for your itinerary.

Money on a Nile cruise and at the Red Sea

On a Nile cruise, meals are usually included, but drinks, laundry, spa treatments and optional excursions are typically charged to your cabin and settled at the end of the cruise. Ask before boarding which payment methods the ship accepts for the final bill, as some take cards and others prefer cash in a particular currency. ATMs exist in the towns along the route, such as Luxor, Aswan, Edfu and Esna, but you will not always have free time near one, so arrive on board with enough cash for tips and small purchases ashore.

At Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada, El Gouna, Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, cards are widely used in hotels, dive centers and larger restaurants. Smaller cafés, local taxis and Bedouin-run excursions usually expect cash, so keep some Egyptian pounds with you there too.

Paying in foreign currency

Some tour operators, cruise companies and hotels price their services in U.S. dollars or euros, and payments for these are usually made by card or bank transfer before travel. On the ground, paying for everyday items in foreign currency is generally less practical. Shops that accept dollars may apply their own exchange rate, and you can end up paying more than you would in pounds.

Entry tickets at many archaeological sites and museums are increasingly paid by card at the ticket office, and cash may not be accepted at some sites. Ticket prices and payment methods change, so check current information before you go, or confirm with your guide which tickets are included in your tour.

Staying safe with money

• Keep cash, cards and your passport in separate places, and use the hotel safe for what you do not need each day.
• Use a money belt or a cross-body bag with a zip in crowded places such as markets and busy stations.
• Count your change, especially with unfamiliar notes, and agree on prices before a service is provided.
• Have your bank's emergency number saved somewhere other than your wallet, so you can block a card quickly if needed.
• Photograph the front and back of your cards and store the images securely, separate from the cards themselves.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay for everything in U.S. dollars in Egypt?

No. Some tourism businesses quote and accept dollars, but Egyptian pounds are far more practical for everyday spending. Paying in dollars in shops often means accepting an unfavorable exchange rate.

Should I buy Egyptian pounds before I travel?

It is not usually necessary, as ATMs are available at the main airports and in most tourist cities. Compare your home bank's rate and fees if you prefer to arrive with a small amount, and check the current limits on carrying local currency.

Are ATMs easy to find in Egypt?

Yes, in major cities, tourist areas, airports and along the Nile cruise route. Keep some backup cash in case a machine is out of service or your card is declined.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

Cards are accepted at most hotels, many tourist restaurants and larger shops, with Visa and Mastercard the most common. Small shops, markets and drivers usually expect cash, so always carry some Egyptian pounds.

How should I handle tips?

Carry a supply of small Egyptian notes for everyday tips, and set aside an amount for guides, drivers and cruise crews. Ask your tour operator for guidance on customary amounts for your itinerary.

Plan it with Nourbelle

When you plan your trip on our trip planning page, we can tell you which costs are already included in your Egypt tour, so you know how much spending money you actually need.