💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by area, baksheesh guide, Uber setup, and day trips. For Egyptian ATM networks, tipping norms, and currency overview:
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Order EGP →CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Cairo?
Yes, a lot. Cairo is one of the most cash-dependent major tourist cities in the world. Hotels, malls, and major ticket offices accept cards, but street food, local restaurants, taxis, markets, mosques, and the constant stream of baksheesh all require Egyptian pounds in small denominations. Carry EGP 1,000–2,000 ($20–40) at all times, with plenty of EGP 10, 20, and 50 notes.
Where You Will Need Cash
Khan el-Khalili bazaar (entirely cash, bargaining expected). Street food: koshari, ful, ta'ameya, shawarma, juice vendors. Taxis (no card readers; use Uber/Careem to avoid). Baksheesh everywhere (bathroom attendants, mosque guides, parking helpers, anyone who "helps" you). Camel and horse rides at the Pyramids. Local restaurants and ahwas (coffee shops). Shisha cafes.
Where Cards Work Fine
Hotels. Zamalek and Maadi restaurants. Pyramids and Egyptian Museum ticket offices. New Cairo malls. Uber and Careem (card through app). Supermarkets. Cairo's modern side takes cards, but the historic side that draws most visitors runs on cash. Similar to Marrakech in cash dependence.
Paying by Card in Cairo
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, malls, and major tourist attractions. Everything else runs on cash.
Zamalek
The upscale island neighborhood in the Nile. Restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and hotels on Sharia 26th of July and Sharia Abu El Feda accept cards. The Cairo Tower observation deck (EGP 250, card at window) accepts cards. The Cairo Opera House accepts cards. This is the most Westernized, card-friendly neighborhood in Cairo, popular with expats and diplomats.
Downtown (Wust El-Balad)
Cairo's colonial-era city center around Tahrir Square. The Egyptian Museum (EGP 450, card at window) accepts cards. Hotels and established restaurants accept cards. The smaller ahwas (coffee shops), juice bars, and local restaurants along Talaat Harb Street are cash. The exchange bureaus on Talaat Harb are cash-only (obviously). The streets are chaotic but fascinating.
Garden City & Maadi
The diplomatic quarter (Garden City) and the expat suburb (Maadi) have full card acceptance at restaurants and shops. The Four Seasons and other Nile-facing hotels accept cards. Maadi's Road 9 restaurants and cafes are card-friendly. These are quieter, more comfortable neighborhoods for tourists who want to escape the intensity of Downtown.
Khan el-Khalili & Islamic Cairo
The famous bazaar and surrounding historic area are entirely cash-based. Every shop, spice vendor, perfume seller, and souvenir dealer in Khan el-Khalili negotiates in cash. Al-Azhar Mosque and Sultan Hassan Mosque are free (donations in cash appreciated). The food stalls around the bazaar are cash. Bargaining is expected at every shop. Bring EGP 500–1,000 for shopping.
Giza (Pyramids Area)
The Pyramids ticket office accepts cards (EGP 540 entry for foreigners). The Grand Egyptian Museum (opening in phases) accepts cards. Hotels near the Pyramids accept cards. Everything else at the Pyramids is cash: camel rides (negotiate EGP 200–500), horse rides, "guides" who approach you, souvenir vendors, and bathroom tips. Bring EGP 500–1,000 for a Pyramids visit.
New Cairo & 5th Settlement
The modern satellite city east of Cairo. Cairo Festival City Mall, Point 90 Mall, and every restaurant in the area accept cards. This feels like a different country from Downtown Cairo: wide roads, modern buildings, and full card acceptance. The American University in Cairo campus area has card-friendly cafes and restaurants.
Street Food & Local Life
Cairo's incredible street food scene is entirely cash. Koshari (Egypt's national dish of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce) costs EGP 30–60 ($0.60–1.20) at a street stall. Ful medames (fava beans) and ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel) sandwiches cost EGP 10–30 ($0.20–0.60). Fresh sugar cane juice is EGP 10–20. This is some of the cheapest and best food in the world.
Baksheesh: Cairo's Tipping Culture
How Baksheesh Works
Baksheesh is more than tipping. It is a deeply embedded cultural practice. In Cairo, you tip for everything: the guard who opens a locked door at a mosque, the bathroom attendant, the person who "helps" you park, the man who points you in the right direction, the security guard who lets you take a photo from a special angle. This is not a scam; it is how Cairo works. Refusing baksheesh is culturally inappropriate. Keep a pocket full of EGP 10 and EGP 20 notes at all times.
Baksheesh Amounts
Restaurant: 10–15% if no service charge. Bathroom attendant: EGP 5–10. Mosque guard who opens a locked room: EGP 20–50. Hotel porter: EGP 20–50 per bag. Hotel housekeeping: EGP 20–50 per night. Tour guide: EGP 200–500 ($4–10) per person for a full day. Driver: EGP 100–200 per day. Pyramid camel handler: EGP 50–100 (on top of the ride fee, which you negotiate separately).
ATMs & Exchange
NBE
CIB
Banque Misr
QNB AlahliATMs
NBE (National Bank of Egypt) and CIB ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards. Found in every neighborhood, mall, and hotel lobby. Banque Misr and QNB Alahli also work well. Maximum withdrawal is typically EGP 5,000–10,000 ($102–204). Use ATMs inside bank branches or hotel lobbies. Most Egyptian ATMs do not charge foreign card operator fees.
Exchange
Exchange bureaus on Talaat Harb Street in Downtown offer competitive rates. Banks give the official rate, which since the 2023 float is close to the market rate. The airport exchange is reasonable. Since the pound devaluation, Egypt has become one of the most affordable destinations in the world for visitors with USD, EUR, or GBP.
Paying for Transport
Uber & Careem
Uber and Careem (now part of Uber) are essential in Cairo. They accept international credit cards and eliminate the stressful negotiation with street taxi drivers. A ride across central Cairo costs EGP 50–150 ($1–3). Airport to Downtown: EGP 200–400 ($4.10–8.15). Downtown to Pyramids: EGP 100–200 ($2–4.10). Cairo traffic is among the worst in the world; allow 2x the expected travel time during rush hours.
Cairo Metro
Cairo's Metro is cheap and avoids traffic. A single ride costs EGP 8–12 ($0.16–0.24) depending on distance. Buy tokens at the station window with cash. Line 1 connects Helwan to El-Marg. Line 2 connects Shobra to Giza. Line 3 reaches the airport (Cairo Airport station). The Metro is safe, fast, and air-conditioned. Women-only cars are available (first and last cars).
Airport to City
Cairo Metro Line 3 connects the airport to Downtown (Attaba or Nasser stations) for EGP 12 ($0.24). Uber: EGP 200–400 ($4.10–8.15, card via app). Airport taxis from the pre-paid counter: EGP 300–500 ($6.10–10.20, negotiate at the counter, cash). Avoid unmetered taxis accosting you in the arrivals hall. The Metro is cheapest and avoids traffic but is not convenient with heavy luggage.
Prices in Cairo
Cairo is one of the cheapest major tourist cities in the world. Your money goes extraordinarily far.
| Item | Price (EGP) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar cane juice | EGP 10–20 | $0.20–0.40 |
| Ful / ta'ameya sandwich | EGP 10–30 | $0.20–0.60 |
| Turkish coffee (ahwa) | EGP 20–40 | $0.40–0.80 |
| Koshari | EGP 30–60 | $0.60–1.20 |
| Shawarma | EGP 40–80 | $0.80–1.65 |
| Shisha session | EGP 50–100 | $1–2 |
| Stella beer (bar) | EGP 80–150 | $1.65–3.10 |
| Local restaurant meal | EGP 100–200 | $2–4.10 |
| Citadel of Saladin | EGP 200 | $4.10 |
| Zamalek dinner | EGP 400–800 | $8.15–16.30 |
| Egyptian Museum | EGP 450 | $9.20 |
| Pyramids of Giza | EGP 540 | $11 |
| Khan el-Khalili / mosques | Free | Free (baksheesh expected) |
USD estimates based on approximately EGP 49 = $1. Rates fluctuate. Alcohol only at hotels, licensed restaurants, and Drinkies liquor stores.
Day Trips from Cairo
Saqqara & Memphis (1 hour by car)
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara costs EGP 400 ($8.15, card at window). Memphis open-air museum is EGP 120 ($2.45, cash). Hire a driver for the day (EGP 500–800, negotiate, cash) or book a tour (card online, $30–60 per person). Lunch at a local restaurant near Saqqara is cash. Bring EGP 500–800 for an independent visit.
Alexandria (2.5 hours by train)
Trains from Ramses Station cost EGP 75–225 ($1.55–4.60, cash at the counter or card via the Egyptian Railways app). First class is recommended. In Alexandria, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (EGP 140, card) and Qaitbay Citadel (EGP 100, cash) are the main attractions. Seafood restaurants along the Corniche accept cards at larger establishments. Fish market restaurants are cash. Bring EGP 500–1,000.
Fayoum Oasis (2 hours by car)
A desert oasis with Wadi El-Rayan waterfalls and Wadi El-Hitan (Valley of the Whales, UNESCO site). Hire a driver (EGP 800–1,200 for the day, cash) or book a tour ($40–80, card online). Park entry fees are EGP 40–100 (cash). There are no ATMs or card-accepting businesses in Fayoum outside the main town. Bring all the cash you need for the day.
Cairo Quick Reference
| Activity | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zamalek dining | ✅ Most restaurants | EGP 200 backup | Most card-friendly area |
| Pyramids visit | ✅ Ticket office | EGP 500–1,000 | Camels, guides, vendors all cash |
| Khan el-Khalili | ❌ Cash | EGP 500–1,000 | Bargaining required, all cash |
| Egyptian Museum | ✅ Ticket office | EGP 100 for tips | Guards expect baksheesh |
| Street food | ❌ Cash | EGP 100–200 | Cheapest food in the world |
| Uber | ✅ Card via app | Not needed | Essential Cairo transport |
| Cairo Metro | ❌ Cash tokens | EGP 8–12 per ride | Cheap, fast, avoids traffic |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Cairo?
Yes. Cairo is heavily cash-based. Hotels and malls accept cards, but street food, taxis, markets, mosques, and baksheesh all require cash. Carry EGP 1,000–2,000 ($20–40) with plenty of small notes.
How much do the Pyramids cost?
Entry EGP 540 ($11, card at ticket office). Great Pyramid interior EGP 700 ($14.30) extra. Camel rides, guides, and vendors are cash-only and require negotiation.
How does baksheesh work?
Tip for everything: mosque guards, bathroom attendants, parking helpers, photo helpers. Keep EGP 10 and 20 notes ready. Restaurants 10–15%. Tour guides EGP 200–500/day. This is cultural, not a scam.
Is Uber available?
Yes. Uber and Careem accept international cards. Essential for avoiding taxi negotiation. Cross-city rides EGP 50–150 ($1–3). Airport to Downtown EGP 200–400 ($4.10–8.15).
Where should I exchange money?
Exchange bureaus on Talaat Harb Street in Downtown. NBE and CIB ATMs everywhere. Airport exchange is reasonable. Egypt is extremely affordable after the pound devaluation.
How expensive is Cairo?
Extremely affordable. Koshari EGP 30–60 ($0.60–1.20). Restaurant meal EGP 100–200 ($2–4.10). Uber across city EGP 50–150 ($1–3). Pyramids entry EGP 540 ($11).
Is it safe to use ATMs?
Use ATMs inside bank branches or hotel lobbies. NBE and CIB are most reliable. Max withdrawal EGP 5,000–10,000. No operator fees on most Egyptian ATMs.
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Country-specific deep dives for Cairo: which card to bring, where the no-fee ATMs are at the airport, and how to dodge the local DCC traps.