💰 Quick Context: The Egyptian Pound
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP / E£). A coffee costs E£30–80, a restaurant meal E£200–600, and a hotel night E£1,500–5,000. Quick math: divide by 50 for a rough USD estimate (E£500 ≈ $10). Egypt is very cash-heavy. Cards work at international hotels and upscale restaurants, but most local shops, taxis, markets, and smaller restaurants require cash. Bring a plan for getting Egyptian pounds from ATMs on arrival.
🎧 Order Egyptian Pound Before You Fly
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Order EGP → CEI Currency Exchange⚠ Baksheesh: Egypt Runs on Tips
Tipping (baksheesh) is deeply woven into Egyptian culture and daily life. You will be expected to tip for nearly every interaction: restaurant service, hotel porters, bathroom attendants, parking helpers, and especially at tourist sites where locals offer "help" or photo opportunities. Keep a pocket full of small bills (E£10, E£20, E£50) at all times. Running out of small change at the pyramids will make your day much harder.
Cash vs. Card: What to Expect in Egypt
Egypt is overwhelmingly a cash economy. Outside of international hotels and resort areas, expect to pay cash for nearly everything.
Cards work at international hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Sofitel), upscale restaurants, City Stars and Mall of Egypt shopping centres in Cairo, and resort properties in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Cash is needed for local restaurants, taxis, felucca rides on the Nile, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, temple and monument vendors, and most services outside resort areas. Nile cruise ships accept cards for the main bill, but crew tips are expected in cash.
Carry E£1,000–2,000 daily as a starting point. Budget more if visiting the Pyramids, Luxor, or Valley of the Kings where baksheesh (tips for services) adds up quickly.
How to Get Pounds for Your Egypt Trip
Egypt is a deeply cash-driven economy, but the currency story behind it changed in 2024. For years a wide gap between the official pound rate and a black-market rate made carrying USD and changing it informally tempting. In March 2024 Egypt floated the pound, it devalued sharply (to around 53–55 per USD by 2026), and the parallel premium collapsed to only a few percent, so the black-market edge is essentially gone and a foreign card now gets a fair, near-market rate (banks even cut the foreign-card commission from 5% to 3% in August 2025). Cards work at the international hotels, the Zamalek and Maadi restaurants, the New Cairo malls, and most Red Sea resorts. But cash still runs daily Egypt: the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, taxis, felucca rides, local cafes, and the constant baksheesh. The two cash essentials to bring from home: crisp USD for the visa-on-arrival, and small EGP notes once you land.
Bring crisp USD (for the visa and as backup), then use a card
Egyptian pounds are not stocked by most US currency-exchange services or home banks, and you do not really need them in advance. What you do need is crisp USD cash: the visa-on-arrival is $30 (raised from $25 on 1 March 2026), paid in USD cash at a bank kiosk in the arrivals hall before immigration, and USD is also useful for tour deposits, Nile-cruise tip pools, and as backup exchange material. USD bill quality matters: Egyptian banks and kiosks routinely reject torn, marked, or older-series notes, so bring clean, new $50s and $100s (and some smaller bills for the visa and tips). CEI Currency Exchange can supply clean USD or EUR for delivery to a US address. The big 2026 change: with the pound floated and the parallel premium gone, a no-foreign-fee Visa or Mastercard now gets a fair rate, so a Wise or Charles Schwab card handles hotels, restaurants, and malls cleanly. Egypt has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner.
Withdraw pounds from an Egyptian bank ATM
On the ground, a major Egyptian bank ATM gives you a fair rate now that the pound has floated. CIB (Commercial International Bank) and HSBC Egypt are the most reliable for foreign cards and have the highest withdrawal caps (often EGP 5,000–10,000); the state banks National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and Banque Misr work and are everywhere but cap lower (often EGP 4,000–6,000) and sometimes run out of cash. Egyptian banks cut the foreign-card commission from 5% to 3% in August 2025, and bank-owned machines generally do not add a separate per-withdrawal fee if you decline DCC. Two procedural rules: use ATMs inside bank branches (Zamalek, Maadi, Garden City, New Cairo's Cairo Festival City mall) or chain-hotel lobbies, not the standalone independent and Euronet units near the Pyramids, Karnak, and Naama Bay, which charge up to EGP 200 and push DCC; and decline DCC every time, choosing pounds. Withdraw a useful amount per visit because the per-trip baksheesh adds up fast. See the Best ATMs section below, or drop your card into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters, hotel windows & informal touts
Three traps to skip, plus one outdated tip worth correcting. The Travelex and Egyptian Forex counters in arrivals at CAI (Cairo), HRG (Hurghada), and SSH (Sharm el-Sheikh) run 5–10% off the bank rate plus fees; change only enough to reach your hotel and use a bank ATM in the city. The exchange windows inside resort hotels run 8–15% off the downtown Cairo bank rate. And the standalone independent and Euronet ATMs in hotel arcades and tourist strips layer a ~EGP 200 fee and DCC on top. The outdated tip to correct: in the pre-2024 era, street touts in Khan el-Khalili offered a meaningfully better black-market rate, and old guides told you to use them. After the 2024 float the parallel premium collapsed to only a few percent, so there is no real black-market edge anymore, just the fake-bill and short-change risk. Stick to a CIB or HSBC ATM or a licensed bank counter, decline DCC, take pounds, and keep crisp USD for the $30 visa and the baksheesh. Heading to Cairo? Our Cairo money guide walks the cleanest cash strategy.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-EGP timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Egypt
Egypt's major banks have ATMs in cities, airports, and tourist areas. Most do not charge an operator fee for international withdrawals, though your home bank may charge its own fee. Always choose EGP when prompted.
National Bank of Egypt (NBE)
Egypt's oldest and largest bank with the most extensive ATM network. Found at Cairo International Airport, major tourist areas, and throughout the country. Your most reliable option, especially outside Cairo.
Recommended
Commercial International Bank (CIB)
Egypt's largest private bank with modern ATMs and English-language interfaces. Strong presence in Cairo, Alexandria, and tourist cities. Handles foreign cards smoothly and is popular with expats.
Recommended
Banque Misr
Egypt's second-largest state bank with ATMs across the country. "Misr" means Egypt in Arabic. Good coverage in Luxor, Aswan, and smaller cities where other banks may be sparse.
Recommended
QNB Alahli
Part of the Qatar National Bank group. Modern ATMs with multilingual options. Well-represented in Cairo, Giza, and Red Sea resort areas. The international backing means reliable foreign card processing.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of EGP, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. This is most common at hotel terminals, airport ATMs, and tourist-area shops. Always select "EGP" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Egypt
Stick to the major bank ATMs listed above. Independent machines and exchange counters will cost you significantly more.
Standalone Tourist-Area ATMs
Unbranded machines near the Pyramids, in Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and at resort entrances. These charge operator fees, push DCC aggressively, and some have been reported for card skimming. Walk to a nearby bank branch instead.
AvoidAirport Exchange Counters
Exchange counters at Cairo International Airport offer rates 5–12% worse than bank ATMs. Use the NBE or CIB ATMs in the arrivals hall instead. Only exchange at counters if ATMs are down or your cards are declined.
AvoidPaying by Card in Egypt
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at international hotels, upscale restaurants, City Stars and Mall of Egypt, and chain stores in Cairo and Alexandria. American Express has very limited acceptance, only at a handful of luxury hotels like the Four Seasons Nile Plaza. Discover is not accepted in Egypt.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless terminals are very limited in Egypt. Some modern terminals in City Stars mall and at Hilton/Marriott properties support tap-to-pay, but most do not. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not widely supported. Instapay and Fawry are local digital payment systems used by Egyptians but not accessible to tourists. Plan on chip-and-PIN or cash for most transactions.
Where Cards May Not Work
Local restaurants and cafes outside hotels are cash-only, including popular kushari spots and fuul stands. Street taxis are cash-only (Uber and Careem work in Cairo with international cards). Khan el-Khalili and all open-air markets are entirely cash. Entrance tickets at the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, and most monuments accept cash only (some have started taking cards, but do not count on it). Felucca rides on the Nile and small tour operators are cash-only.
Tipping (Baksheesh) in Egypt
Tipping Guide
Baksheesh is expected for nearly every service. It is not optional in Egypt. Think of it as part of the cost of travel. At restaurants, 10–15% if service charge is not included. Check the bill first since some add 12% automatically. Hotel staff: E£20–50 for porters, E£20–50 per day for housekeeping. Taxi drivers: round up generously. For longer rides (Cairo to the Pyramids), add E£20–50.
Tour guides: E£100–200 per person per day for a private Egyptologist guide. E£50–100 for a half-day. Bathroom attendants: E£5–10 (keep small bills in a separate pocket). Temple and pyramid "helpers": E£10–20 if you accept their assistance. Say "la, shukran" (no, thank you) firmly if you do not want help. Nile cruise crew: E£100–200 total for the tip pool at the end, plus individual tips for your cabin steward.
Navigating Baksheesh & Money at Tourist Sites
For city-specific tips, see our Cairo and Luxor money guides. Each covers neighborhood-level card acceptance, ATM locations, transport payments, and local spending tips.
How Baksheesh Works in Practice
At the Pyramids and major sites, people will approach offering to take your photo, "guard" your spot, show you a "secret" entrance, or lead a camel. All of this comes with an expectation of payment. Decide in advance what you want and be prepared to say "la, shukran" firmly but politely. Guards at temples in Luxor and Aswan may offer to take you to a restricted area or point out something interesting. This is an unofficial service and they will expect E£20–50.
Small bills are essential. Break large notes at your hotel or a Spinneys supermarket before visiting tourist sites. Having exact change for tips avoids awkward negotiations. Do not show large amounts of cash. Pull out only the bill you intend to give. Revealing a wallet full of notes invites higher demands.
Practical Money Tips for Egypt
USD and EUR are sometimes accepted at hotels, tour operators, and some shops, but at poor exchange rates. You always get more value paying in EGP from a bank ATM. ATM limits are typically E£5,000–10,000 per transaction (~$100–200). You can make multiple withdrawals per day.
Carry cash for entrance fees. The Pyramids, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, and most museums charge in EGP. Some accept cards now, but cash is more reliable. Uber and Careem work in Cairo and Alexandria with international cards and are much easier than negotiating with street taxi drivers. Haggling is expected at Khan el-Khalili bazaar and with taxi drivers. Start at 50% of the asking price and work up. This is a cash-only activity.
Money Safety in Egypt
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside NBE, CIB, or Banque Misr branches or hotel lobbies. Avoid street-facing machines near the Pyramids and in downtown Cairo at night. Be firm about unwanted help: at tourist sites, people offering unsolicited assistance will expect payment. It is okay to politely decline.
Keep small bills separate from your main cash in a front pocket or small pouch. Use this for daily baksheesh so you never need to pull out your wallet at tourist sites. Egypt can trigger fraud alerts on some card issuers. Call your bank and mention "Egypt" specifically before travel. ATMs in smaller cities like Aswan and Hurghada occasionally reject foreign cards, so carry a backup on a different network.
Avoid black market exchange. Egypt's official and black market rates are now much closer together than they were during the 2022–2023 devaluation period. Stick to bank ATMs for safety and legality.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Egyptian pounds like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Frequently Asked Questions
What is baksheesh in Egypt?
Baksheesh is the Egyptian system of tipping for services. It applies to nearly every interaction: restaurant servers, hotel porters, bathroom attendants, temple guards, tour guides, and anyone who assists you. It is not optional. Budget E£200–500 per day in small bills for baksheesh at tourist-heavy destinations.
Do I need cash for the Pyramids?
Yes. The Pyramids entrance fee is payable in EGP (some reports of card acceptance, but do not count on it). You will also need cash for camel rides, unofficial guides, photographers, and vendors. Budget E£500–1,000 for a day at the Giza Plateau including baksheesh.
Can I use Uber in Egypt?
Yes. Uber and Careem work well in Cairo and Alexandria with international cards. They are much easier and safer than negotiating with street taxi drivers, who do not use meters consistently.
Is Egypt expensive?
Egypt is very affordable after recent currency devaluations. A local restaurant meal costs E£100–300 ($2–6), a hotel night E£1,500–5,000 ($30–100), and a felucca ride E£200–500 ($4–10) per person. Baksheesh is the hidden cost that adds up.
Should I bring USD or exchange at a bank ATM?
Bank ATMs give you the best rate. NBE, CIB, and Banque Misr ATMs at Cairo International Airport are reliable. Some hotels and tour operators accept USD, but their exchange rate is always worse than the bank rate.
How much should I tip a Nile cruise crew?
E£100–200 total for the crew tip pool at the end of the cruise, plus individual tips for your cabin steward (E£50–100). Your Egyptologist guide receives a separate tip of E£100–200 per person per day.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★☆☆ | Hotels and upscale restaurants only |
| Egyptian bank ATMs (NBE, CIB, etc.) | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Cash for everything: tips, taxis, sites, markets |
| Standalone / tourist-area ATMs | High (fees + poor rates + DCC) | ★★★☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Egypt Quick Facts
| Currency | Egyptian Pound (EGP / E£). Roughly 50 per USD |
| Cash vs. Card | Very cash-heavy. Cards only at hotels and upscale venues. Carry E£1,000–2,000 daily |
| Best ATMs | National Bank of Egypt (NBE), CIB, Banque Misr, QNB Alahli |
| ATM Limits | E£5,000–10,000 per transaction ($100–200) |
| Card Acceptance | International hotels and malls only. Very limited elsewhere |
| Tipping (Baksheesh) | Essential. Expected for nearly every service. Keep small bills handy at all times |
| DCC Risk | Moderate at hotels and airport ATMs. Always choose EGP |
| Best Strategy | Bank ATM cash is king. No-FX-fee card as backup for hotels. Small bills for baksheesh |
Egypt City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Egypt's biggest cities. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.
Egypt money toolkit
Deep-dive guides for specific banks, airports, and traveler nationalities in Egypt. Each one builds on this overview with card-by-card fee math, exact ATM locations, or terminal-by-terminal directions.