Is it better to use cash or card in Egypt?

Most mid- and high-end tourist hotels will accept major credit cards, with Visa and MasterCard having the widest acceptance in Egypt. American Express is less commonly accepted but still useful in higher-end facilities. Diner's Club is rarely accepted in Egypt. The majority of restaurants and shops remain cash-only.



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Egypt is mostly a cash-based society, and credit cards are not something often used to make payments. This is slowly changing, so travelers can expect to use credit cards in the following scenarios: When staying at international hotel chains, like Marriott, Hilton, etc.

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Cash is King in Egypt While Euros, dollars, and sterling notes are widely accepted, opting for Egyptian pounds can stretch your funds further, especially when buying smaller items, such as toiletries, water, snacks, souvenirs.

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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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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.

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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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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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The range of food cost per person can vary from budget restaurants for $5 to $10, mid-range restaurants for $15 to $30, and high-end restaurants for $50 to $100. 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.

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Depending on the kind of guided tour you purchase and the kind of added experiences you choose, your visit to the Pyramids of Giza can range from $34 to $50 to $70. A half-day guided tour of the Pyramids and the Sphinx costs around $34 while a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum, pyramids, and bazaars costs around $51.

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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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