Do I need cash in Egypt, or can I use cards?

In Egypt, plan around cash. Cards work only at hotels, upscale restaurants and some larger shops, and even then not always reliably. Markets, taxis, small vendors, street food, tips (baksheesh), and most daily spending are cash.

So carry pound cash and keep a good supply of small notes, since you will be paying cash and tipping constantly, and small vendors rarely have change for large notes.

When a card terminal or ATM asks whether to charge in dollars or Egyptian pounds, always choose pounds. Foreign currency triggers dynamic currency conversion at a rate about 3 to 8% worse than your own bank's. Decline it every time.

For cash, use ATMs at major banks (such as CIB, Banque Misr or the National Bank of Egypt), common in cities and at the airport. Withdraw a sensible amount, since fees per withdrawal can add up. Use a debit card to avoid cash-advance fees.

Some big-ticket items (tours, some hotels, dive packages) may be quoted in dollars or euros, and USD can be useful to carry as a backup, but pay in pounds for everyday things. Keep plenty of small pound notes for the constant baksheesh and for small vendors who cannot break large notes.

For tipping norms, see tipping in Egypt, and for the wider picture, the Egypt money guide.

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