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Money & Costs in Egypt

💵 Currency

The currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP / ج.م.), divided into 100 piastres. Bills come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 EGP — plus newer polymer 10 & 20 notes.

The pound has been volatile — check a live currency converter for Egypt before you spend. The black-market rate sometimes differs from the official rate, but exchanging outside official channels is illegal and risky.

Where to Exchange

• Banks and licensed exchange offices (sarafa) — best rates
• Hotels — convenient but worst rates
• Airport — fine for a small initial amount

Bring USD, EUR or GBP in clean, new-ish bills (post-2013, no tears, no marks).

💳 Cash vs Cards

• Cash is king — especially for taxis, tips, small restaurants, markets, sites
• Cards accepted in hotels, malls, chain restaurants, supermarkets
• Visa & Mastercard widely accepted; Amex rare
• ATMs (banks like CIB, NBE, QNB) work with foreign cards — withdraw 2000–3000 EGP at a time; some charge a small fee
• Apple Pay / Google Pay is starting to spread but not reliable yet

🪙 Tipping (Baksheesh)

Tipping is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture — for service, but also as a small thank-you everywhere.

🛍️ Haggling

Expected in bazaars (Khan el-Khalili), with taxis without a meter, and at tourist sites with vendors. Not for supermarkets, restaurants or chain stores.

The rules:

1. Start at 30–50% of the asking price.
2. Stay friendly — it's a social ritual, not a fight.
3. Walking away will often produce a better price.
4. If you don't intend to buy, don't ask the price.
5. Decide what you think it's worth, and pay that — don't worry about "winning".

💰 Typical Costs (rough, in USD equivalent)

Egypt is very affordable by Western standards — a budget traveler can manage on $40–60/day, a comfortable trip on $100–150/day.