Currency in Egypt
The complete Egyptian Pound (EGP) travel guide
The Egyptian Pound (EGP, symbol E£ or LE) is the official currency of Egypt. Issued by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), banknotes come in 25 piastres (rare), 50 piastres (rare), E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50, E£100, and E£200 denominations; coins in 25 and 50 piastres, E£1. The EGP has experienced major devaluations — most recently in March 2024 when the CBE allowed the pound to float more freely under an IMF program, sending USD/EGP from 30 to over 50. Egypt is a top-10 global tourist destination, with the Pyramids, Red Sea resorts, and Nile cruises driving 15+ million annual visitors.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Egypt
Egypt is a cash-friendly country, especially outside Cairo, Alexandria, and major resort areas (Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Luxor). Tipping ("baksheesh") culture is pervasive — small cash payments grease nearly every interaction. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at chain hotels, upscale restaurants, malls (Mall of Egypt, Cairo Festival City), and tourist-oriented businesses. Amex acceptance is limited. ATMs at Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt, CIB, and HSBC branches accept foreign cards, with per-transaction limits of E£3,000–6,000 ($60–120) and fees of E£30–80 per withdrawal. The 2024 devaluation has shifted Egypt to extremely affordable for foreign tourists.
Tipping culture in Egypt
Tipping ("baksheesh") in Egypt is pervasive and culturally important. Hotel porters: E£20–50 per bag. Housekeeping: E£20–50 per night. Restaurants: 10–12% at sit-down restaurants where service charge isn't already included (a 12% "service charge" plus 14% VAT is standard at upscale restaurants; both included in displayed totals). Taxis: round up to nearest E£5–10. Tour guides at the Pyramids/Luxor/Aswan: E£100–200 per person per day. Camel/horse owners: E£20–50 for photos. Toilet attendants: E£5–10. Small baksheesh is expected for every minor service — keep small bills (E£5, E£10, E£20) handy at all times.
Best way to get Egyptian Pound (EGP)
For USD-to-EGP, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.5–1% of mid-market. Egypt has a unique situation since the 2024 devaluation — official bank rates align closely with the parallel/black-market rate (previously a 30%+ gap). Avoid Cairo airport (CAI) currency exchange counters — spreads of 4–7% above mid-market. Authorized currency-exchange shops in central Cairo (Tahrir, Zamalek) offer competitive rates — Banque du Caire, Bank of Alexandria branches have decent rates. For substantial transfers, Wise beats traditional bank wires by 2–4% on total delivered amount. Egyptian residents face FX controls and import restrictions on USD purchases.
Practical money tips for Egypt
- •Carry small bills (E£5, E£10, E£20) at all times — baksheesh is needed for nearly every minor service interaction
- •Get a tourist SIM card on arrival (Vodafone, Orange, WE, Etisalat) — 7-30 day plans available for E£100–300
- •Use Uber, Careem (Middle East ride-hailing), or InDriver in Cairo and Alexandria — much cheaper than street taxis and meters often "don't work"
- •VAT (14%) and service charge (12%) are added at upscale restaurants — already included in displayed totals
- •Egypt plug types C and F (same as EU); voltage 220V/50Hz — Americans need adapter
- •Many Egyptian merchants will negotiate prices — bargaining is expected at souks (Khan El-Khalili) and tourist shops, never at chain stores
- •Cairo traffic is legendary — budget extra time, especially during prayer times and 4-7pm rush hour
Common money scams to avoid in Egypt
Common tourist money scams in Egypt include: persistent "baksheesh-for-photos" demands at the Pyramids of Giza and Karnak Temple from camel owners, "official guides," and even random men in costumes — agree on price BEFORE any service; rigged taxi fares from Cairo airport (use Uber or pre-booked transfer); papyrus shop scams claiming "real ancient papyrus" — most is modern banana-leaf paper printed with hieroglyphs; alabaster/scarab shop scams with inflated "ancient artifact" claims (real antiquities cannot be exported from Egypt); and aggressive "free tour" or "official guide" approaches near major attractions that turn into pressure shopping stops at perfume/papyrus/cotton shops where guides earn commissions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use US dollars in Egypt?
Some tourist businesses (Pyramids area, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada) accept USD but at terrible rates — you'll lose 10–20% versus the mid-market. Always convert to EGP. Since the March 2024 devaluation, the official EGP rate aligns with what was previously the parallel-market rate — fairer for tourists than the pre-2024 era.
How much cash should I bring to Egypt?
Plan on E£500–1,500 ($10–30) per day in cash for tips, taxis, street food, tourist sites, and small purchases. With cards accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants, your supplementary card spend covers the rest. Egyptian ATMs cap foreign-card withdrawals at E£3,000–6,000 per transaction. Bring small denominations for baksheesh — large bills are hard to break.
What was the March 2024 EGP devaluation?
In March 2024, under an IMF program, the Central Bank of Egypt allowed the pound to float more freely. USD/EGP jumped from approximately 30 to over 50 in days — a roughly 40% EGP devaluation. The move closed the gap between the official rate and the parallel-market rate, ended chronic dollar shortages at banks, and made Egypt dramatically cheaper for foreign tourists.
Is Egypt cheap for tourists?
Since the 2024 devaluation, Egypt is among the cheapest major tourist destinations globally for foreign visitors. A mid-range restaurant meal costs E£150–300 ($3–6); a taxi across Cairo is E£50–150 ($1–3); Pyramids entry is E£700 ($14). 5-star hotels in Cairo run $80–150/night — a fraction of equivalent European prices.
Is it safe to use ATMs in Egypt?
Generally yes if you use bank-branch ATMs (CIB, Banque Misr, NBE) during daylight hours. Avoid standalone ATMs in tourist areas and at hotels — these have higher fees and skimming risk. Cover the PIN pad with your hand when entering your code.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.