What is the best currency to use in Egypt?

absfabs

In my experience, have been many times but not since Jan2007, foreign currency is far more welcome than Egyptian pounds. So I would take any Euros or Dollars left over from other trips, and a reserve in sterling.

Absolutely no point in changing Egyptian Pounds, unless either the currency has stabilised in the last year or you are going of the beaten track.

Tipping with 1 dollar notes is well appreciated, it's also the perfect bargaining unit.

JAM1376

We came back from Hurgahda ten days ago and have said that if we go again, we will take dollars and only change the mimimal amount to Egyptian pounds. They seemed to much prefer dollars or Euros. Had a fantastic time by the way!

asea

Of course they prefer dollars/euros/pounds they make more money from you! Glad you enjoyed yourself JAM1376

You can also tip 1 or 2 Egyptian pounds (it is standard for most instances where you have to tip) which is equivalent to 10-20p (ish) rather than a dollar which is more like 50p!

davethetaller

sparky7 wrote: »

Visa at the airport = 15 UK Pounds or $15 or 150 Egyptian (Sharm el Sheikh anyway).

Get Egyptian and also US dollars.

Casinos only take US dollars.

Don't get ripped off by the taxi's!

Also, I saw Egyptians changing their Egyptian pounds into US dollars at the cash machines, maybe they don't like their own currency?

It is worth noting that you do not need to buy a visa at the airport, if your holiday is in Sharm el Sheikh, or totally within the Sinai area.On the form that they give out at the airport, just endorse "Sinai Only".
(Unless they have changed the rules within the last year!)

russetred

I got the impression from Tripadvisor it was best to take english notes and change a little but use your nationwide card for ATM withdrawal.Also visa was £10 sterling in Luxor airport which gives small change in £E.Dont let the rep get your visa apparently they charge you £15.Do it yourself at the banks at the airport.

baileysbattlebus

Our rep (Olympic) got our visas for us the last time we visited Egypt it cost us £12 each and it was £12 well spent. No hassle, no queues, just picked up bags and left. It was the first time this had been offered to us and I thought it was great. Even if it was £15 I'd pay it to avoid the scrum at the visa desk.

We usually take what ever money we have, dollars, euros, sterling and generally a bit of Egyptian currency for when we get there. You can generally get good exchange rates in Egypt. We never pay for anything in anything but Egytian currency.

payless

In the AI hotels its hard to get the smaller local notes , I took a wad of 1 Dollar notes - great for tipping less heavy than UK pound coins, and as brand new cleaner than local notes

sparky7

The whole Visa thing is a money making scam in Sharm el Sheikh.. you only need it if your going to.. save your money if your not leaving Sinai like above poster said.

Pretty sure the reps are making alot of money out of it!

bensgranddad

The visa 'scrum' is a thing of the past in Luxor. There are now 5 kiosks where you can get visas, and there is rarely much of a queue unless two planes land in quick succession. The visa costs $15 or the equivalent in £s, which at today's rates is around £8. If a rep is charging £12 they are making 50% commission!

MrsE_2

I've read its best to pay the entry visa in dollars, its $15.

If you pay in stirling, I think its £10 or £12!