Travel money for Egypt

AdRock

My partner, daughter and I are going to Sharm El Sheihk in January next year and I would like to know about currency.

When we went on holiday last year to Lanzarote, i had a post office pre paid card with euros but how would it work with Egypt?

Can i get a pre pay card or is it best to get some egyptian pounds before i go, or is it best to take sterling and change while we're over there?

Any advice on what we should do would be very appreciated

kindofaverage

we always take sterling. always get a better rate over there.

bigheadxx

We took £50 sterling in Egyptian £ when we went for the first time in January but it wasnt really necessary. Sterling is welcomed and you can tip £1 coins.

dzug1

You can get a prepaid card in either sterling or euros and use it there. There will be a currency conversion charge charged by the prepaid card company.

AdRock

We're going all inclusive for a week and would like a suggestion on how much spending money to take.

Obviously we don't need to spend money on food/drink like last year but what would everyone recommend for spending money?

I've never been to Sharm before but have been to Cairo and I know they have some shops i think they call Bazaar's or something where they sell traditional egyptian souveniers etc.

Obviously i want to take some spending money but i don't want to take too much in case it gets stolen

weejenny

Don't get Egyptian before you go as rate always better there. Do take fives and tens so you only have to change a little. We always take $1 notes as well for tipping but this isn't necessary. Lots of hotels have safes so cash would be safe until needed check with hotel or tour company. We always take more than we think we'll need as a 'just in case'. Always had a safe in Egypt so all valuables were fine.

bigheadxx

AdRock wrote: »

We're going all inclusive for a week and would like a suggestion on how much spending money to take.

Obviously we don't need to spend money on food/drink like last year but what would everyone recommend for spending money?

I've never been to Sharm before but have been to Cairo and I know they have some shops i think they call Bazaar's or something where they sell traditional egyptian souveniers etc.

Obviously i want to take some spending money but i don't want to take too much in case it gets stolen

We took £700 for 2 weeks but came back with over £400. Day trips like Quad Biking or Glass Bottom boat cost about £20 pp. If your food is good then you dont really need to spend any money on food outside the hotel unless you want to.


As for souvenirs and cigarettes I would wait until you get to the airport, its less hassle. 1000 cigarettes cost about £50 (you can pay in sterling) it is very expensive to eat at the airport though.

superstar_2

Definitely take sterling and get it changed there. You will probably need a visa, but don't worry. Its available when you arrive at the airport. There will be a small banks that will the the visa, costs you just less than a tenner. You can change sterling into EGP there. They have a pretty decent rate, a lot better than getting it here.

bigheadxx

You do not need a visa for a 1 week stay in Sharm el Sheik if you are staying in the resort.

superstar_2

bigheadxx wrote: »

You do not need a visa for a 1 week stay in Sharm el Sheik if you are staying in the resort.

I stand corrected. I thought you need regardless of your stay. Its less than tenner, not going to break your bank.

Mini_Bear

We are big spenders and went all inclusive to sharm in august. as others have said we changed up £50 into pound coins for tips and managed to spend another £150-200 on excursions and treats.
As others have said take sterling oiut there and get it changed at airport. you gt better rates that way.