money in egypt
Dec 1st, 2009, 12:44 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
money in egypt
I am going to egypt over xmas and wonder about how easy it is to get local money at bank machines. should I be travelling with american dollars for everything, will I be able to use my credit card most places, and can I rely of getting local currency easily at bank machines? are there lots of bank machines around? we will be in cairo, nile cruise luxor to aswan, and sharm.
thanks!
thanks!
Dec 1st, 2009, 01:01 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've never used bank machines, rather the hotel's exchange desk. The rate is set by the government so no difference whether ATM (bank machines) or hotels.
We used both local currency for small daily expenses and sourvenirs; credit cards for larger purchases and few meals that weren't included and also on the Nile cruise boat. But many small shops didn't accept credit cards.
Wait to see what other responders who visited Egypt experienced.
We used both local currency for small daily expenses and sourvenirs; credit cards for larger purchases and few meals that weren't included and also on the Nile cruise boat. But many small shops didn't accept credit cards.
Wait to see what other responders who visited Egypt experienced.
Dec 1st, 2009, 02:16 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,028
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used the ATM's in Egypt with no trouble, however sandi is correct that rates are fixed so you can exchange most anywhere for the same rate. I did exchange US cash at the hotel once. I never found a hotel that cashes traveler's checks but that can be done at a bank, ONLY if you have your passport with you.
Dec 1st, 2009, 02:44 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We used ATMs the whole time we were there. The one "advantage" of using a bank or hotel to exchange is that you can request a portion of your money in smaller denominations. Those 1LE and 5LE notes are very handy for tips.
Dec 1st, 2009, 05:39 PM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Those cash exchange windows at major hotels were something to behold. At least when we visited, they were all operated by some Emirates/Dubai company... not sure if it's still that way. And, they had currencies from all over the world... amazing (like the back room at a Vegas casino 
)
USD, GBP, Euro were all accepted. As to Travelers Checks... nowadays only good in case of emergency; most places don't accept or there's too much paperwork/documents to convert.
) USD, GBP, Euro were all accepted. As to Travelers Checks... nowadays only good in case of emergency; most places don't accept or there's too much paperwork/documents to convert.
Dec 2nd, 2009, 02:56 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissGreen - for a tourist, I would definitely advise against accepting badly torn currency. But keep in mind, MOST of the Egyptian currency you'll see if pretty badly worn! I used to use tape on the torn bills and save any good/new bills to put in my kids' scrapbooks!
