Is Egypt using cash or card?

Egypt - CurrencyEgypt - Currency Most businesses, restaurants and retailers accept debit cards, Visa, and MasterCard, however public service providers will not accept payment by credit cards. For example, utility bill collections, taxi services, smaller street kiosks will only accept cash payments.



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Cash is King in Egypt For best rates go to the nearest currency exchange shops or banks, and these are readily available across all Egyptian cities. Exchange shops have shorter waiting lines than banks. NOTE: you now need your passport with you at both exchange shops and banks.

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Cash is king in Egypt and many local restaurants, shops, and tour operators will not have card facilities. However, you should be able to pay electronically at most mid-range and high-end stores, restaurants, and hotels; just make sure to check first before racking up a huge bill.

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It is useful to have local currency for tipping or for shopping in smaller souks or local restaurants, and it is easy to change money at any hotel bank. US dollars are widely accepted in major tourist establishments, hotels, and souvenir shops.

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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.

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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.

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Egypt promotes cashless payments with increased contactless transaction limit, free prepaid cards and mobile wallets.

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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.

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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.

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Tipping 10–15% of your bill total is customary at cafes and restaurants, and loose change is acceptable for food purchases from street vendors and markets. Often known as 'backsheesh' in parts of Asia and the Middle East, tipping is standard practice in Egypt.

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In Egypt, carry your passport with you: you'll need it to register at hotels, change money at banks, and possibly to show at police checkpoints. If travelling for any length of time, it may be worth registering with your embassy in Cairo, which will help speed things up if you lose your passport.

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Budgeting for Tipping in Egypt A good rule of thumb is to set aside an additional 10-15% of your total trip budget for tipping.

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When traveling throughout Egypt, I highly recommend using Egyptian Pounds or credit card to pay for all purchases. Not only is it easier for Egyptian's to accept money in Egyptian Pounds (they will not need to exchange it later), tourists also often receive better prices when using Egyptian Pounds to make purchases.

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Mobile phones are widely used across the country at cheap rates. You can only use your mobile phone if you have a roaming facility, and don't forget there is always an extra roaming surcharge. If you want to avoid high cost we recommend using an Egyptian SIM.

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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.

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January and February are definitely the best value months in terms of Egypt last minute travel deals. Travelers who adore a cooler Israel and Egypt, who do not want to spend their entire trip lying in the sun, go there time after time during these months.

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Some experts recommend that you bring a total of $150 to $200 USD for tips for a 1-week stay. This equates to around $20 to $25 USD per day for all staff members who might help you throughout the day.

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It is cheapest to visit Egypt during the low season or summer months (May to August). But if you want value for your buck then the shoulder months of March, April and September are ideal for Egypt. If you plan your itinerary around Egypt's weather, you can have a perfect budget-friendly vacation around this time.

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