All you need to pull money from an ATM is your debit card (a credit card linked to a checking account) and your PIN, and most travelers will also need to inform their bank they are traveling in Egypt and will be using local ATMs.
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ATMs are considered one of the most important acceptance channels serving the entire banking sector in Egypt. It acts as an essential substitute for the bank's branches by allowing the execution of financial and non-financial services such as but not limited to cash withdrawal, cash deposit and bill payments.
Rather than converting your money prior to arrival, consider waiting until you're in Egypt for a more favorable exchange rate without currency exchange fees. Accepted currencies include Euros, US dollars, AUS dollars and British pounds, offering flexibility in payment methods.
ATMs at Banque Misr, CIB, Egyptian American Bank (EAB), National Bank of Egypt and HSBC are particularly reliable. Amex, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club are becoming ever more useful in Egypt. Generally speaking, they are accepted quite widely in foreign-friendly hotels, shops and restaurants.
Egypt is still a mostly cash-based society. Although credit card payments are becoming increasingly common and will be taken by many hotels and restaurants in Cairo or other tourist locations, you'll need cash to enjoy the local cuisine or shop for textiles and spices at the souk.
The Egyptian Tourism Authority advises that travelers are not allowed to bring more than 5,000 EGP (approximately 320 USD) into the country in local currency. You can bring up to 10,000 USD or the equivalent in foreign currency and then swap it for Egyptian pounds at a currency exchange.
Sometimes the easiest and cheapest way to get cash is to withdraw it from a local ATM. ATMs are readily available in big cities like Cairo or Alexandria. If you're headed to a more remote area, make sure to draw enough cash before you leave as you may struggle to find an ATM once you reach your destination.
A budget traveler can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day in Egypt, while a mid-range traveler can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per day. It is important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.
Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained. Do not travel to: The Sinai Peninsula (with the exception of travel to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) due to terrorism.
2egp is the best price i have found for a can of coke. Most shops seem to charge 3.50 to 4 egp to tourists. My familly consists of 5 people so these sort of individual price items makes a difference. Most of my stay in egypt I have been paying 3.50-4 egp for can of coke.
All you need to pull money from an ATM is your debit card (a credit card linked to a checking account) and your PIN, and most travelers will also need to inform their bank they are traveling in Egypt and will be using local ATMs.
The CBE also raised the cap for daily withdrawals from bank branches for both individuals and companies to EGP 150,000, up from EGP 50,000, while keeping the maximum limit for withdrawals from ATMs at EGP 20,000. The CBE said this decision was made given that the COVID-19 crisis has receded.
The best currency to take to Egypt is the local currency, the Egyptian pound. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices.
It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. American and Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, and euros are all easily exchanged in Egypt, and Cairo International Airport has a number of 24-hour banks that give the same rates as in town.
Egyptian laws towards alcohol are quite liberal compared with that of most Islamic countries, except for the month of Ramadan when alcohol is strictly forbidden and only holders of foreign passports are allowed to buy alcohol. The legal drinking age in Egypt is 21.
Money MattersThere are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers cheques which may be brought into the country. However, passengers entering Egypt with Egyptian currency exceeding 1000 USD must declare this on arrival.