Egypt Travel Money

Conker2008

Hi all, its been 20 years since I have gone abroad, out of the EU, on holiday and would like some advice on travel money options.


I am going, with extended family on a two week all inclusive holiday to Hurghada (Egyptian £) and wish to take some money to cover excursions / seightseeing / gifts etc.


What is my best option for doing this? I am presuming changing cash in the uk but where is best to do this ? there are so many options and it doesn't seem as simple as it used to be (being who has the best rate). I am also aware due to the all inclusive aspect that I will be converting money back on return, if its not spent, does this alter my best option?


All help is gratefully received since the family are looking towards me for the answers and I am only getting more and more confused trying to compare the options to work out whats best.


Oh, to add a note to the bottom too, credit cards are not an option due to credit rating

Miró

Can't help with the main question but......


Do make sure you have some very small denomination notes as tips are expected all the time!! And...it's not a bad idea to carry some hand sanitiser with you as the notes are usually absolutely filthy...*shudder*




hth

pattycake

Change your money at Hurghada airport at the bank kiosks at the same time you buy your visas. You will get at least 10% better value. You can ask for some small denomination notes for tipping at the same time.

There will probably also be a machine at your hotel which will exchange GBP for Egyptian currency. Just put in your £10 or £20 notes and out pops Egyptian pounds. Also at a better rate than in the UK.

You can pay for your compulsory visa with GBP. The cost is $25 so around £15 depending on exchange rate. Whatever you do, buy your visa from the bank. If you allow yourself to be herded by the local reps you could end up paying between £5 and £7 more per passport. Total rip off.

pattycake

Just to add, if you go to the Trip Adviser Hurghada forum you will find tons of useful information. I have been to Hurghada several times during the last three years and always had a super time. I have only been home a week from my last trip.

Conker2008

Hi, thanks for your Advice, although seems too easy to be true lol.


I have already been warned about the bogus reps at the airport fleecing you on arrival and told to go to the kiosks instead.


I am staying at Jungle Aqua Park, and have a direct email for them so will enquire about the machines.


I can see the advantages of changing over there especially if the exchange rate is better and I will only need to change what I need and not have to pay again to change back on return. I can see the advantage of lower denominations. However are the guys at the bank kiosks as honest as the bogus reps or could I get fleeced by them when exchanging money due to the language barrier.

pattycake

Decide how much you are going to change initially. Get the amount you can expect from a currency converter online before you go. Ask the cashier what he will offer for your amount and he will display it on a calculator. Simples! Watch him count it out, job done.

MichelleO

Hi I am going to Egypt in a couple of days. I see that it is better to exchange pounds Stirling in Egypt , however I have a lot of euros from previous holidays and wonder if the same applies for exchanging euros to Egyptian Pounds. My other option was to pay my euros into uk bank account and draw Stirling to take? Thanks for any advice in advance.

pattycake

I see no reason why you shouldn't just change the Euros in Egypt. There are plenty of Europeans who holiday there and no doubt that is their currency of choice!

You could find out the value in Egyptian £s in exactly the same way as sterling.

If you have Euro coins, you could also use them for tipping. I know it is better to tip in the local currency but it is often difficult to get suitable small notes.

Conker2008

Michelle, Hi. No problems, all banks and kiosks within the airport will take your pounds, euros, dollars and possibly also your grandmothers pension book and change into EGP for you.


You will also find over there that some shops etc. will take Euros, for example in Hurghada I went to Senzo Mall where the Spinneys store would accept EGP, GBP, Euros and Dollars, just tell them what your paying with before they scan your stuff.


Also their system for exchanging money at the bank / atm's etc is a lot simpler than ours, as there is no searching round for the best rate since their government sets it so its the same throughout.


I found it best for our family group (there were 7 of us) to change a couple of hundred of pounds at the airport and to then use ATM's to get amounts when needed and pay the small amount your bank charges for forwarding, since the exchange rate on them is the same as any bank, and better than you will get over here.


Point of advice I will give is always keep hold of your small notes, for some reason traders and smaller shops never have them. This makes it hard to barter prices and to get change for purchases, as well as tipping. What I did was, whenever in a large store / fast food outlet was to always pay with a 200 EGP note (about £24) and get the change. It may also be possible to talk to the staff at your hotel since they will be tipped in small notes and may be willing to break your larger notes for you if you have a good rapport with them.


Oh and if your flying into Hurghada, follow the advice on going to bank kiosks for your visas, currently 25USD each (just over £15). Again you can pay for these in any currency and get your change in EGP which gives you a good start of small notes for tipping !


Hope this helps and have a good holiday