know they accept Euro & USD...but for some change, etc does anyone recommend getting cash in the USA prior to arriving in Egypt? once there i have seen strong recommendations on banks only...thanks!
Posted by
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
290 posts
You can get Egyptian Pounds easily from ATM's in the areas that tourists frequent: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, et al.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Cathy, I am surprised that you say "know they [Egyptians] accept Euro & USD". I think it very unlikely this is the case except perhaps in the larger hotels. Use the ATMs as advised by others, to get local currency.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I visited Egypt in 2005 and did not find euro or USD to be widely accepted. Got Egyptian pounds from a bank ATM at the airport and used them throughout my trip. There was no need to get any in advance.
Posted by
Pacific NW
116 posts
Not necessary to get cash prior to arriving in Egypt. Even though you can do transactions with Euros and USD with some merchants, I have found that you generally get a better deal bargaining in the local currency. You will most always get any change coming back in Egyptian pounds. I use credit cards for most of my major purchases in the tourist areas, even in the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar--and Egyptian pounds for everything else. ATM's, as noted above, are available and foreign currency is easy to exchange in Egypt--I walked over to the Cairo Marriott, near to where I was staying, and got good rates.
Posted by
Boston, MA
119 posts
I just arrived back from Egypt last week and was extremely surprised at how many people (even street vendors) who accepted and even preferred USD and euros! Never before have I been in a country where for purchases I would pay half in one currency and half in another.
I was with a group tour, and our Egyptian tour guide recommended to bring many $1 USD bills with us, as you could use them to buy many things. I wasn't sure what she meant by 'many' so I only brought 10 and wished I had more! If I go again, I will be sure to bring many single dollar bills ($1 will buy you two water bottles, and many more small expenses).
Personally, I ordered 600 LE (~ $120 USD) prior to going over, through Bank of America. Ideally, you should have 50 LE or smaller bills, unless you are making a large purchase, because for whatever reason small bills are hard to come by in Egypt and merchants do not like breaking large bills. Hope this helps!