Where cards work, where they do not, and why small notes matter more than the total.
The currency is the Egyptian pound. Hotels, larger restaurants and organised excursions take cards; markets, taxis, tips, small cafés and anything bought from a person rather than a counter do not.
Withdraw from bank ATMs rather than the standalone machines in hotel lobbies, which charge worse rates and run out. Take the option to be charged in Egyptian pounds, never in your home currency — the "convenience" conversion is consistently poor. Tell your bank you are travelling first; Egypt triggers fraud blocks readily.
Euros and dollars are widely accepted in resort areas but at rates that quietly cost you ten to fifteen percent, and coins are worthless because nobody can exchange them. Change enough into pounds for a few days at a time.
Euros and dollars are widely accepted in resort areas but at rates that quietly cost you ten to fifteen percent, and coins are worthless because nobody can exchange them.
The single most useful habit is hoarding small notes. Tips, taxis, bottled water and market stalls all need 10s, 20s and 50s, and nobody ever has change for a 200. Break large notes wherever you can — supermarkets and hotel reception are the easiest places.
