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Currency for Egypt
Going to Egypt for the first time,went to get some currency at Local tesco and was told you can't get Egypt currency but you can use us dollars,is this correct or am I best to wait until we arrive,I have a pre paid card just need some cash for tips.
SPC no:076
Comments
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It should be possible to get Egyptian Pounds in the UK, though it seems you're better off getting it there due to getting better exchange rates.
When I was in Egypt last year I just took cash out at ATMs.
From what I remember some people will accept US dollars but you're better off having some local currency.
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You can get Egyptian pounds here. My local m and s (Edinburgh) has them in stock. You can order online for delivery or collection.
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I would recommend taking a good amount of one US dollars. From my experience you have to pay everywhere for toilets and although they will accept pound coins, I found dollars to be the best.
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Just check the exchange rate.
I haven't looked at EGP but Moroccan Dirham at my local M&S BdeC were very poor compared to exchanging/ATM rates while there.
And they won't buy them back.
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Bit surprised a British bureau de change is selling dirhams, I thought it was a closed currency?
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It's semi-closed, more like highly restricted. You can buy Dirhams here but you can't take more than about £150 into the country.
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You can only take E£5,000 into/out of Egypt which is about £72 using the Mastercard rate but M&S is charging over £100 for it
Dollars and GBP are widely excepted but like most tourist places you will get a poor exchange rate for it. Its not a closed currency so there isnt a black market rate that you get in other countries with better than official rates, a citizen can walk into a bank and get as many USD as they want they dont need to get them from tourists.
Foreign coins generally are less welcomed, as like here, many places wont exchange them. You will find people trying to get you to convert pound coins into GBP notes so they can use the currency. Be a little careful as not all coins are real or a bag of coins may be a mix of GBP and EGP
Best bet is to withdraw from an ATM with a fee free card
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Thank you,I i've got some US dollers left from a trip,so shall take those and get money out cash machine when there.
SPC no:0760 -
Ha I just looked. M&S offering 8.5 per £ when the current bank rate is 12.75.
That is atrocious.
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Yes I was surprised to see Dirhams in M&S, impuse buy of £100-worth. Really poor decision.
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