Egypt operates on the Egyptian pound, denoted EGP or LE (from the French livre égyptienne), subdivided into 100 piastres. The Central Bank of Egypt issues currency in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 pound notes, plus 25 and 50 piastre coins, though piastres have limited practical use due to inflation. Banknotes feature Arabic numerals on one side and Eastern Arabic numerals on the reverse, with imagery including ancient monuments like Abu Simbel and Islamic architecture like the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The 200 pound note, introduced in 2007, displays the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria. Security features on newer notes include watermarks, metallic threads, and color-shifting ink, though counterfeit bills circulate enough that merchants scrutinize larger denominations carefully.
The Egyptian pound floated freely starting November 2016 after decades of various fixed and managed exchange rate regimes. This float followed a foreign currency crisis that had created severe shortages of dollars and euros. The pound lost approximately half its value in the immediate aftermath of the float, moving from 8.8 EGP per USD to over 18 EGP per USD within weeks. A second major devaluation occurred in March 2022, when the pound dropped from approximately 15.7 to over 18 EGP per USD, then further declined through 2022 and 2023. By late 2023, the official rate had reached approximately 31 EGP per USD, and in early 2024 another sharp devaluation pushed rates past 50 EGP per USD before settling in the 30-35 range as of March 2024. These fluctuations mean that any stated prices in foreign currency terms become outdated quickly, and travelers experience significantly different purchasing power depending on arrival date.
The parallel market exchange rate, sometimes called the black market, historically traded at premiums of 10 to 50 percent above official rates during periods of currency controls. The 2016 float largely eliminated this gap temporarily, but renewed dollar shortages in 2022-2023 reopened spreads of 10-20 percent. Currency dealers operate visibly around major tourist areas including Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo and hotel districts in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. These transactions carry legal ambiguity and risk of counterfeit notes. Official exchange occurs at banks including Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt, and Commercial International Bank, plus licensed exchange bureaus called "forex" offices identifiable by Central Bank of Egypt authorization certificates. Airport exchange counters at Cairo International Airport typically offer rates 2-5 percent worse than city center banks.
ATMs from major networks operate throughout Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, and Red Sea resort cities, dispensing Egyptian pounds only. Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 5,000 to 10,000 EGP depending on the bank and card type, though some machines cap individual transactions at 2,000 or 3,000 EGP, requiring multiple withdrawals to reach daily limits. ATM fees charged by Egyptian banks range from 30 to 50 EGP per transaction as of 2024, applied regardless of withdrawal amount. International networks like Visa and Mastercard add their own currency conversion fees, typically 1-3 percent. The QNB Alahli, CIB, and HSBC Egypt ATM networks have broader distribution and higher reliability than smaller banks. Power outages and connectivity issues cause ATM downtime, particularly outside major cities. The machines at Cairo International Airport in Terminal 3 arrivals and the machines inside the Egyptian Museum compound maintain comparatively high uptime.
Credit cards see acceptance in hotels rated three stars and above, formal restaurants in tourist areas, larger shops in malls, museums including the Egyptian Museum and Grand Egyptian Museum, and organized tour operators. Visa and Mastercard work more reliably than American Express or Discover. However, card payment infrastructure remains limited across most retail environments. Street vendors, local restaurants, taxis, microbuses, felucca boat operators, and shops in traditional markets including Khan el-Khalili deal in cash exclusively. Even businesses with card readers may claim machines are "broken" or request cash to avoid transaction fees. When cards do work, merchants occasionally add surcharges of 2-5 percent, though this practice violates card network rules. The overwhelming majority of daily transactions occur in physical currency.
Carrying sufficient cash becomes operationally necessary. The challenge lies in denomination management, as making change for large bills poses constant difficulty. Many small vendors, taxi drivers, and street food sellers cannot break a 200 EGP note, and even 100 EGP notes create change problems outside formal retail. The 50 EGP note serves as the practical maximum for most street transactions. Banks and large supermarkets like Carrefour or Metro Market provide opportunities to break large bills. Withdrawing money in amounts like 2,900 EGP rather than 3,000 EGP sometimes yields better denomination mixes from ATMs, though machines vary in their loaded bills. Requesting small bills when exchanging currency at banks or forex offices helps, though they may claim to lack them during cash shortages.
Tipping, called baksheesh, operates as an expected supplement to formal wages across service sectors. The practice extends beyond typical hospitality tipping to encompass payments for minor assistance, access, or service. Hotels expect 20-50 EGP for bellhops per bag, 20-30 EGP daily for housekeeping, and 50-100 EGP for concierge services. Restaurants typically warrant 10-15 percent of the bill, though some add automatic service charges of 12 percent, which rarely reach staff directly. Nile cruise staff receive collective tips of 100-150 EGP per passenger per day, distributed among crew. Tour guides expect 100-200 EGP per day per traveler, vehicle drivers 50-100 EGP per day. Felucca captains around Aswan and Luxor anticipate 50-100 EGP for hourly sails. Bathroom attendants at tourist sites accept 5 EGP. Photography inside certain temples or with camel handlers at the pyramids triggers requests for 20-50 EGP. The expectation applies even when unsolicited help occurs, such as someone pointing out a photo angle or opening a taxi door.
Government-operated museums and archaeological sites charge dual pricing systems with separate rates for Egyptian nationals and foreigners. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo charges 450 EGP for foreign adults as of 2024, while the Mummies Room requires an additional 300 EGP. The Giza Pyramids complex costs 540 EGP for entry, with the interior of the Great Pyramid requiring an extra 900 EGP for limited daily tickets. Karnak Temple in Luxor charges 460 EGP. Valley of the Kings costs 500 EGP covering three tombs, with popular tombs like Tutankhamun or Seti I requiring separate tickets of 300-600 EGP each. Abu Simbel charges 380 EGP. Students with valid ISIC cards receive approximately 50 percent discounts. The Grand Egyptian Museum pricing had not been finalized publicly as of early 2024, though announced rates suggested 1,000-1,200 EGP for foreign visitors. Tickets must be purchased in Egyptian pounds at site entrances, with most locations not accepting cards. Photography prohibitions inside tombs and museums are enforced variably.
Domestic transportation costs remain low in absolute terms for most Egyptians but require cash. Cairo Metro charges 6-20 EGP depending on distance and line as of 2024. Microbuses operating fixed routes cost 5-10 EGP for typical trips. Full taxis in Cairo lack functional meters in practice, requiring negotiated fares. A cross-town trip might range from 50-150 EGP depending on distance and negotiation. Uber and Careem operate in Cairo, Alexandria, and some tourist cities, accepting card payment through apps and typically costing 20-40 percent less than street taxis. The rideshare pricing in Egypt includes frequent surge multipliers during peak hours and Friday evenings. Inter-city buses operated by companies like Go Bus charge 150-300 EGP for Cairo to Alexandria, 300-400 EGP for Cairo to Hurghada. Sleeping trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan run by Watania charge foreigners 140-200 USD for sleeper cabins, payable only in US dollars or euros at Ramses Station in Cairo, not in Egyptian pounds.
Trains operated by Egyptian National Railways allow online booking through their website in Egyptian pounds, but the system frequently experiences technical problems and many travelers purchase tickets in person at stations. The air-conditioned first class from Cairo to Alexandria costs approximately 100-130 EGP, second class 60-80 EGP. Trains to Luxor and Aswan in seated classes cost 150-250 EGP, but foreigners officially must use more expensive tourist trains or sleeping services according to regulations inconsistently enforced. Domestic flights on EgyptAir between Cairo and destinations like Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el-Sheikh, or Hurghada range from 1,500 to 4,000 EGP depending on route and booking timing, with payment accepted in Egyptian pounds online or at offices.
Accommodation pricing varies dramatically by category and location. Budget hostels in Cairo or Luxor start around 200-400 EGP for dorm beds, 400-800 EGP for private rooms with shared bath. Mid-range hotels in tourist areas cost 800-2,000 EGP for doubles. Nile-view rooms in Luxor or Aswan add premiums of 30-50 percent. Red Sea resorts in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh operate largely on all-inclusive models targeting package tourists, with rack rates of 2,000-8,000 EGP per night, though advance online booking through international platforms often yields significantly lower prices quoted in foreign currency. Five-star properties in Cairo like the Marriott Mena House near the pyramids or the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza range from 4,000 to 15,000 EGP depending on season and view. Nile cruise boats between Luxor and Aswan operating 3-4 night itineraries cost 800-2,500 EGP per person per night depending on boat quality and season, with December through February commanding highest rates. Payment policies vary, with international chains accepting cards reliably while smaller properties often request cash, sometimes with discounts of 5-10 percent for cash payment.
Food expenses span an enormous range. Street food including ta'ameya sandwiches costs 10-20 EGP. Ful medames plates at local restaurants run 20-40 EGP. Koshari bowls at dedicated koshari shops cost 25-50 EGP depending on size. Sit-down meals at mid-range Egyptian restaurants average 100-200 EGP per person including drinks. Tourist-oriented restaurants in Luxor, Aswan, or Khan el-Khalili area of Cairo charge 200-400 EGP for similar food quality. International chain restaurants like McDonald's or KFC charge 120-180 EGP for meal combos. Upscale restaurants in Cairo or Nile cruises range from 500 to 1,500 EGP per person. Bottled water costs 8-15 EGP for 1.5 liters at convenience stores, 25-40 EGP at tourist sites. Beer when available at licensed establishments costs 60-120 EGP for local Stella or Sakara brands, 100-180 EGP for imports. Restaurants add service charges of 12 percent plus sales tax of 14 percent, making total additions of approximately 26 percent to listed menu prices.
Guided tours and experiences carry wide pricing. Half-day guided tours of the Giza pyramids booked through hotel concierges typically cost 800-1,500 EGP per person in small groups, 2,000-4,000 EGP for private tours. Full-day tours to Saqqara and Memphis add another 1,000-2,000 EGP. Multi-day packages covering Luxor and Aswan sites run from 15,000 to 35,000 EGP per person depending on accommodation level and group size. Hot air balloon rides over Luxor's West Bank cost 1,500-2,500 EGP for one-hour flights at dawn. Scuba diving day trips from Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh including two dives and equipment range from 800 to 1,500 EGP. Liveaboard diving boats in the Red Sea for 7-day itineraries cost 1,200-2,500 USD, typically quoted and paid in foreign currency. Desert safari tours to the White Desert from Cairo operate as 2-day camping trips costing 2,500-4,000 EGP per person in groups. Felucca rides around Aswan islands cost 200-400 EGP per hour negotiated directly with captains along the corniche.
Souvenir pricing requires aggressive negotiation in traditional markets. Opening prices bear little relationship to final transaction prices, with reductions of 40-70 percent considered normal negotiation outcomes. Papyrus paintings at Khan el-Khalili open at 500-2,000 EGP but settle at 100-500 EGP for decent quality. Small alabaster sculptures start at 300-800 EGP and close at 80-200 EGP. Cotton galabiya robes open at 400-800 EGP, final 100-250 EGP. Spices including hibiscus and saffron start by weight at inflated rates and require verification of actual weight. Cartouches in silver run from 200-600 EGP after negotiation depending on name length and silver purity claims. Fixed-price government shops including the Nomad Gallery in Cairo and official papyrus institutes offer certified products at non-negotiable prices approximately 50-100 percent above post-negotiation market rates, trading convenience and authenticity guarantees for cost. Shopping in traditional souks requires determining personal maximum price before engaging, as merchants employ persistent psychological pressure techniques including claims of insult, appeals to friendship, offers of tea, and prolonged conversation.
Tourist police requests for documentation occasionally intersect with money matters at archaeological sites or when traveling outside major cities. Carrying passport copies rather than originals reduces risk, though police at checkpoints between governorates sometimes insist on original documents. Fines for alleged violations rarely follow formal procedure. Officers may suggest informal payments of 100-500 EGP to resolve situations. This creates difficult decisions for travelers between principle and pragmatism, with no universally correct answer. The tourism police headquarters in major sites typically have English-speaking supervisors if genuine disputes arise.
Mobile payment systems including Vodafone Cash, Etisalat Cash, and Fawry have expanded among Egyptians for utility bills and money transfers, but tourist integration remains minimal. International services like PayPal face restrictions on Egyptian account withdrawals to local banks. The infrastructure remains predominantly cash-based for travelers despite gradual digitization in urban Egyptian contexts.
The Egyptian pound's instability and rapid devaluation create specific planning challenges. Prices stated in Egyptian pounds in older guidebooks or online content older than 6-12 months carry limited usefulness. Websites and tour operators increasingly quote foreign currency prices to avoid exchange rate losses, then calculate Egyptian pound equivalents at payment time using current rates plus margins. This means comparing prices requires normalizing to a single currency. Exchanging money in multiple smaller transactions rather than one large conversion provides flexibility as rates shift, though per-transaction fees at ATMs discourage this approach. The practical middle ground involves withdrawing amounts sufficient for 2-4 days of expenses.
Carrying US dollars or euros in cash as backup provides options when ATM networks fail or daily limits prove insufficient. However, Egyptian regulations technically limit foreign currency imports to 10,000 USD equivalent without declaration, and require customs declaration forms for amounts exceeding this threshold. Enforcement varies dramatically by port of entry and inspector. The declaration process itself creates paper records that some travelers prefer to avoid. Amounts of 2,000-3,000 USD in cash typically pass without question or declaration requirement. Bills should be pristine, as Egyptian banks and exchange offices reject torn, heavily worn, or marked foreign currency notes. US dollar bills from 2006 and earlier encounter frequent rejection due to anti-counterfeit concerns.
Banking services for non-residents face regulatory barriers. Opening Egyptian bank accounts requires residence permits except for certain business accounts. This limits travelers to cash, cards, and ATM access. Money transfer services including Western Union and MoneyGram operate extensively through Egypt Post offices and authorized agents, allowing emergency fund receipt, though fees run 5-10 percent of transfer amounts. The transfer recipient receives Egyptian pounds at the company's exchange rate, which typically runs 2-5 percent worse than parallel market rates.
Egypt maintains currency export limits of 5,000 EGP for Egyptian citizens, with foreigners technically allowed to export up to 10,000 EGP but in practice questioned when carrying significant amounts through customs. Converting remaining Egyptian pounds back to foreign currency before departure makes sense given these limits and the lack of international exchange options for Egyptian pounds outside the country. However, exchange offices in departure terminals at Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh airports offer rates 5-10 percent worse than city locations, creating a final cost for reconversion. Strategic calculation of needed amounts prevents large leftover balances.