Linda

As I recall, an earlier note suggested that a dollar is worth about 3.40 Egyptian pounds. My traveling companion has been checking conversion surcharges here in Atlanta. He's learned that 500 dollars will buy about 1400 pounds, after surcharges. <BR> <BR>I'm looking for a better surcharge rate. We'll be traveling Atlanta-D.C. Dulles- Paris-Cairo. I assume that we'll need pounds to travel from the airport into the city, hence we'll need some pounds prior to arriving in Cairo.

alia

hi <BR>the rate u have is not right. 500 dollars would be well worth 1750 pounds and maybe more (1$ is = 3.5 LE). change them at any exchange office, the rate there is better than the bank. i suggest u buy a very small amount of poundds before u come )to cover yr trip from the airport. u will need around 20-30 pounds if yr hotel is in heliopolis. and around 50 pounds if yr hotel is down town. don't pay more and ask teh driver first how much he wants and negotiate the price. when u get to yr destination he will ask for more, give him what u agreed for only.

Mary

I just purchased Egyptian currency from Chase Manhattan bank. Their commission was about 1.067%. I called my own bank here in the Midwest and they told me that they would have to order it from NY and would take 3-7 days for me to get it. Their commission was going to be 1.03%. I decided on Chase because I could purchase over the internet and if you purchase over $500 worth (we got other currency for the other countries we're visiting), they don't charge you the $10 to overnight it to you. <BR> <BR>A good deal, I believe.

Crelly

I got off the plane without a piastra in my pocket. As I turned the corner headed for customs at the end of the corridor is a bank just waiting to "make change". If they charged a fee, it was minimal. They're open 24 hours. Many small businesses in Cairo and surrounds are not 'travellers' checks' friendly so carry plenty of Egyptian currency especially the smaller notes (1 pound and 50 piastras notes). <BR>

Dick

In addition to place at Cairo airport to purchase money, some of the major hotels had banks in the lobby. If you know the conversion rate it is a simply matter to determine if you are getting ripped off or not. Many venders welcomed payment in American dollars which also simplified need for Egyptian currency.